Endowed from my youth with a love of rural stincts of my nature in devoting such time, ability life and of rural taste, I have but obeyed the inand means as I could command to the cultivation of the earth.

plan is this:-to throw the soil into beds fifty or expressed in the words of the resolutions that sixty feet in width, so that the water shall flow have just been adopted. from a large portion of it as fast as the river falls; then plow and sow with a light seeding of oats, say from six to eight pecks to the acre, and cut them at the proper season for fodder. The growth of oats will keep the weeds down, and shade and protect the young and tender grass, and will not greatly exhaust the land if cut just as the seed is fairly formed. Or, you may sow oats without grass seed, cut them for fodder, plow and manure the land immediately, early in August if you The duties of your presiding officer, I need not can, and then sow such grass seed as you like, arduous, and their faithful discharge attended inform you, have frequently been perplexing and but we shall get a plentiful intermixture of clo- with difficulty and delicacy; but your kindness ver for a year or two if we can.

In taking the incipient measures towards the formation of this society, in all my efforts for its advancement, and in whatever I have been enabled to do for the promotion of the general cause, I have only been following the leadings of Providence and the inspirations of my own mind.

life.

and co-operation has shared the burden with me, If the field is dressed with a fine, rich compost, and I shall ever regard my connection with you so that the young shoots of the grass seed may and the many friendships I have here formed, as readily find something nourishing to lay hold of, among the most delightful circumstances in my and the seed is sown in August, the grass will On retiring from the position which I have so become so thoroughly rooted and established be- long occupied, I pray you, therefore, to accept the fore the autumnal overflows, as to resist the ac-assurances of my high consideration and regard, tion of the water, unless the currcnt over it is and of my undiminished interest in each of you pretty strong. Fragments of ice may occasion- United States Agricultural Society. Long may it personally, and in the future prosperity of the ally kill out spots of the grass, but the old sward live to be an honor and blessing to our country, is equally liable, and early attention must be and may its last days be its best days! given in the spring to correct such places.

U. S. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee, held the evening previous to the last day of the session, they unanimously passed the following resolution, We have already given an outline of the pro- which was offered by Mr. WAGER, of New York: ceedings of this society at its late session at Resolved, That in obedience to instructions Washington. But in the National Intelligencer from the society, the Executive Committee request we find a more minute account of the action of the Hon. Henry Wager to inform the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder that the sum of $250 is placed at the society upon the resignation of President his disposal for the purchase of such a testimoWILDER, which will be read with interest by the nial as may be to him most acceptable. large number of friends of that gentleman throughout New England. It is as follows: the society in support of the resolution of the Mr. Wager, of New York, offered the resolu- Executive Committee, and commented in warm tions following, which were unanimously adopted: terms on the united energy, intelligence, liberaliWhereas, the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, of Mas-ty and public spirit which had marked the official sachusetts, who has for years so eminently dis- connection of Mr. Wilder with the society. tinguished himself by his exertions in promoting The CHAIR united in testifying to the eminent the cause of terra-culture, has declined a further services rendered by his predecessor in the presre-election to the office of President of this soci- idency. ety, which he has filled since its creation with ability, industry and outlay of his private means; therefore

Mr. BURGWYN, of North Carolina, addressed

After which, on motion of Mr. BURGWYN, the resolution of the Executive Committee was adopted unanimously and by acclamation.

Resolved, That his name be placed on the roll Ex-President WILDER replied to the vote thus of honorary members of the United States Agri- taken, and feelingly returned his acknowledgcultural Society; and that the Executive Com-ments for the very kind treatment he had receivmittee are instructed to present him with a suita-ed at the hands of his fellow-members. He wished ble testimonial as a mark of appreciation of this to take the opportunity to give testimony to the society for the energy, time and money which he zealous co-operation he had experienced from has expended in advancing its interests, and in members and officers of the society, who had with raising it to the position which it now occupies. him borne the burden and heat of the day. He Resolved, That while the members of this soci-spoke in the most flattering terms of the zeal and ety regret exceedingly that personal considera- ability of the Secretary, Maj. BEN: PERLEY tions constrained him to decline a re-election, POORE, whose "steady, minute and untiring atthey would express their kind regards and most tention to duty, aided as it has been by bodily earnest desires for his future happiness.

powers and force not granted to many men, had combined to make him a model Secretary." He The President, in reply, said : also paid merited compliments to "the fidelity Gentlemen, I thank you most sincerely for this and industry of the Treasurer of the society, Maj. renewed testimonial of esteem and affection, as B. B. FRENCH. We are glad to record the clos

ing events of the energetic and prosperous career comes out of the barn in winter, heavy, green of the first President of the U. S. Agricultural in color and fragrant. Cattle and horses eat it Society.

For the New England Farmer. WITCH GRASS, (TRITICUM REPENS.)

with a relish and grow fat upon it. Its price in this market, when of good quality and mingled to some extent with other grasses, is about the same as herds grass. When free of any admixture of herds grass and red-top, it is generally of a somewhat coarser and inferior quality, and sells at a less price.

MESSRS. EDITORS:-Much has been said and written within the last few years upon the subject of witch, couch, quitch, or phin grass, as it is va- I have said thus much of this grass as a consoriously termed. Our most eminent writers upon lation to any farmer who may find it appearing grasses condemn it. Dr. Darlington says, "It is upon his farm. If it has spread over any considimportant to keep our farms as clear of it as pos- erable part of it, any fond hopes of its extermisible." Mr. Flint, in his work on grasses, says, nation are vain. For although physically possi"It is important to destroy it if possible." And ble, its destruction is practically impossible. Mr. Lapham, in his treatise upon the grasses of Neither will it avail anything to be frightened at Wisconsin, calls it "a mere pest, of no use for it. An acquaintance with its habits, which may food of cattle." be soon formed, will suggest the best mode of Although reluctant to dissent from an opinion treating it. It has frequently been a policy of so strongly supported, I yet hesitate a little in late to conciliate any strong opponent who could adopting it. I have known something of this not be otherwise silenced, and thereby gain his grass for a good while, and have come to regard support. This is the true way to deal with witch it with less aversion than the writers above quot-grass, which, managed as it may be, will prove ed express for it. While I do not consider it a not a curse or a pest, but a blessing and a source desirable acquisition to a farm of a stony soil, of wealth. PENNY-COOK. yet upon one free of rocks, it is not very much to be dreaded, to say the least. Like very many other things, it has some good and some undesirable qualities. Let us look for a moment at

some of the latter.

Concord, N. H., Jan. 12, 1858.

THE FARMER.

What a sovereign man is the intelligent, indusIt is objected to it, that, where it grows alone trious farmer! Within his own realm of earth, he upon very rich soil, it frequently turns yellow at wields a sceptre to which all must bend. The the bottom, and falls down before it is ripe, but balance of the world's life and comfort he holds I have never known this to occur when it was in his stalwart hand. Neither courts, nor camps, mixed to a considerable degree with other grasses. nor armies, nor fleets, can exist without his aid. It is also objected that when suffered to stand a He is the feeder-aye, and the garmenter, virtulittle too long before cutting, it grows light col- ally-of the race. Cities spring from the traffic ored near the ground, and the stalk becomes hol- in the products of his industry. Commerce is low, woody and brittle. This grass flowers usual-born at his bequest. Of the State he is the "first ly during the first half of July, and if cut when Estate." Lord of the land, no man has firmer in blossom, or quite soon after, this evil is not hold of the essential title of nobility. And he experienced. It is furthermore urged, that when need be no plodder because he is a farmer. The witch grass is upon the land, there will be hard day is past when the soil tiller was confounded hoeing. Upon land free of rocks, deep plowing with the clod turned by his plow. The soil is with a complete inversion of the sod in breaking his servitor: he smites it, and lo! the harvest up the ground, and a sharp cultivator run both comes forth. The hoe and the sickle make him lengthwise and across through the rows and fol- music braver than dulcimers, and sound the march lowed by a sharp hoe, obviate this objection. of a triumph, grand as it is peaceful and blessed. Thus much against it. But he is not forever in the furrow. For him Can anything be said in its favor? I think so. are broadest fields of study-fairest fields of deIt will grow luxuriantly where no other grass half light. For him are honors linked to beauties and as good will grow at all. Upon many of the low wisdoms; for him, periods of communion and intervals of the Merrimack, which are annually rapture, of which the birds, the flowers, the streams, flooded and oftentimes covered with sand to the the stars, and all wondrous things of the universe, depth of one, two, three, and occasionally even may bear witness. A brave man art thou, wieldfive and six inches in a single year, this grass er of the mallet and plane; and thou, skilful workseems to enjoy life, and yields a good burden of er of webs; and thou, deviser of all machines hay. If its roots are in the ground when it is laid whereby the labor of man's hand is speeded or down to grass with a grain crop, there is certain abridged. He is master of the needfulest of toils, assurance of a tolerable crop of hay the following and the most serviceable products. He can live year. If the herds grass, red top, clover, or what- without you, but you cannot exist for a day withever other seed is sown, fail to appear, the witch out him. Honor to the farmer; may his sphere grass will not. These grasses, too, will be fully widen and his stature be exalted. And honor as likely to live as in its absence, for this attains to all honest toil, for of such are the fruits that a considerable growth by the time the grain is form the crowning glories of the world.—New harvested, and affords shelter to the tender blades York Ledger.

of the other grasses left exposed to the fierce Au-| gust sun, by the removal of the grain in whose shelter they have been hitherto nurtured.

A bill has been introduced into the New York Legislature for the incorporation of the CenBut as to the value and quality of the hay, how tral American Industrial Emigration Company, is it? If cut early, and well cured, it is good. It with a capital of $300,000.

A STABLE FOR CITY OR VILLAGE USE.

We have been allowed to look at the sheets, in We will only say, now, that it appears to us advance of publication, of a new work entitled that this book presents designs for the million, "The Farmer's and Mechanic's Practical Archi- that it is a work for popular use, and will afford tect and Guide in Rural Economy. By J. H. numerous suggestions, which will be carried out HAMMOND, Architect. Boston: John P. Jewett by that class of our people who desire, and are & Co., Publishers." This is a work by a practical able to erect, comfortable and even elegant resiman, a carpenter,-who has made it, as it were, dences, but not of a very costly character. We because he couldn't help it,-made it in the give one of the designs to-day, and when we see course of his business to satisfy the wants that the whole work, shall find occasion to speak of it were continually pressing upon him.

again.

This design exhibits a neat and convenient sta- rounding objects. It is impossible to offer adble, adapted to the wants of those who wish to vice which would apply to all circumstances; a keep two or three horses and a cow or two. It few hints, however, may not be useless. contains five apartments, or stalls, with a wide pas- All stables should be so situated as to allow sage behind the horses, and a slide-door between sufficient space for driving in and out and for the stable and carriage-room. The carriage-room turning. If practicable, they should be on the is ample enough to admit three or four carriages. north and north-east side of the house, because It contains also a harness-room, which is indis- when the wind blows from these points, the doors pensable to every stable, to preserve the harness and windows of the dwelling-house are usually from the dust that is constantly accumulating. closed, even in summer. The inmates, therefore, This building also contains a large hay loft, ca- by this arrangement, avoid the effluvia from the pable of holding ten or twelve tons of hay. The stable.

cupola over the ventilator gives the building a Very few stable cellars are properly ventilated, neat and finished appearance. A stable of this and some have no ventilation at all, except one description may be made an ornamental object, opening or door, which is closed in cold weather. but its convenience depends almost as much on There ought to be at least, four good-sized winits location as its construction. The proper loca- dows equally distributed, and in opposite places, tion must depend on the relative position of sur-'to produce a current of air in all parts of the cel

A A A A A, Stalls. B, Passage behind the Stalls. C, Ventilating Pipe. D, Harness Room.
E, Carriage Room.

lar, each window containing four or eight lights, | around. By others, the double or Michigan plow of nine by twelve glass; the sash hinged for the was considered the best implement. It requires convenience of opening at pleasure, inside or out. more team, but does better work. A long, slopThis stable is 38 by 28 feet on the ground; the soil less. ing share, diminishes the draught, but pulverizes first story nine feet six inches in the clear; the Much is expected of the new plow announced hay loft nine feet. A ventilating tube from the by Nourse, Mason & Co., with its many various cellar to the cupola, twelve by sixteen inches; also an opening back of the stalls at the top into the ventilating tube of suitable size.

mould boards. Every farmer has some favorite instrument. The square hinged harrow, with short wrought iron teeth fastened in their place by a nut, was decided to be the best; the seed-sower with one wheel the best for uneven ground; a corn-planter that will plant in squares a desirable invention; a short handle hoe the best impleAmes & Son,-a fork made by Partridge, and ment for cutting up corn; a shovel branded O. the best of tools generally, the cheapest in the end for any man. More anon.

J. N. B.

THE CONCORD GRAPE. It was my good fortune recently to be present at a meeting of this kind in the good old town of Not having noticed any account of the fruiting Chicopee. Such a gathering of stalwart men, of this new grape in this State, I venture to offer with brown cheeks and big hands, is seldom seen. my experience to your horticultural readers. If there should ever be a National, or even State, It fruited with me last season. I allowed it to man-show, I trust some of the "river gods" will joverbear-a single vine giving me over a half be present. We have in this valley some as per- peck of fruit. This reduced the size of the berries. fect specimens of the genus homo as the world af- The bunches were large, very compact, with fords. They are every inch men, physically, few imperfect berries. Flavor, very sweet, with mentally, morally and socially. It is a custom of little juice, but with a slight after-taste of foxithe club to meet at 3 P. M., to examine stock, ness in the skin. It ripened at least two weeks buildings, grounds, &c.; to have a plain supper earlier than the Isabella in the same yard—the Isaat the house of one of the members, and to spend bellas growing against the side of a wooden house the evening in the discussion of previously an- with an eastern exposure-the Concords on a nounced topics. As a member recently said, "it trellis in the open garden. is a sort of maternal association."

In quality I think the Concord not quite equal

The subject under discussion was "Farm Im- to the best Isabellas. In vigor, hardiness, proplements.' The plow was first considered. It ductiveness and ease of propagation the vine was thought by some that the side-hill or swivel cannot be excelled.

plow, would become the plow for general use. Its These are qualities, which with its early ripenadvantages are that it leaves no dead furrows ing, can hardly fail to render this grape a popuand takes less time of the team in turning lar one in this climate.-Michigan Farmer.

For the New England Farmer. LETTER FROM MAJOR FRENCH.

The society only wants now the hearty co-operation of the farmers of the United States to make it the very corner-stone of the agricultural interests of the country.

Washington City, Jan. 30, 1858. MY DEAR BROWN:-I suppose you would like to When here you made a pretty thorough inhear from Washington, and be told how matters spection, I believe, of the improvements now in and things are progressing in this Federal metropolis, now the light of your countenance is admiration of the new hall of the House of Repprocess at the capitol, and expressed your own withdrawn from us. We enjoyed your visit ex-resentatives. There is no doubt that so far as ceedingly, and the shadow of your departure cast hearing is concerned, it is a better room than the its gloom over one breakfast at least! I see by old hall. In size it is by far more commodious, your weekly that you posted your readers up and in gilding and red morocco it blazes out like pretty well in regard to the agricultural doings at a bright coal fire compared with an air-tight the annual meeting of the U. S. Agricultural So- stove. In architectural beauty it compares with ciety. You have not, however, said anything of the noble columns, beautiful ceiling and fine pro

our new President, more than to mention his

name, and that he was elected. That hiatus in portions of the old hall about as the Egyptian figures we have seen in stone, (always supposing your account I will endeavor briefly to supply. Gen. TENCH TILGHMAN is a farmer and a gen- the Venus de Medicis or Apollo Belvidere! It a little gold leaf added to brighten them up,) with tleman-most farmers are--and it does not re- is a great square iron room, gilded. It is enclosquire much knowledge of physiognomy to judge ed entirely by a suite of surrounding rooms, so at a glance by his appearance, of the character of that not one particle of God's free air can penethe man. Good nature, gentleness, firmness of purpose and high intelligence are as plainly writ-trate it, and it is to be ventilated by an artificial contrivance, like the blower of a steamboat, which ten on his countenance, as this writing of mine is to blow in the air for our conscript fathers to is upon this white paper; and the compositors breathe, as soon as the weather becomes so warm always give me great credit for plain writing! His age is, perhaps, fifty, if anything on the sun-ent time the air from the furnaces, or rather passas not to need fires in the furnaces. At the presny side of that climactric. He is of medium height, of fine figure, and has much of the milita- lung consumption, and through the aid of which ing through them, is the article furnished for ry air which was drilled into him at West Point, the legislative wisdom of the nation makes itself where he received his education. He was ap- heard. It may work first-rate, and the members pointed a Lieutenant of Artillery in 1832, and resigned in the following year. He was U. S. may be delighted with their cellar-like hall, but I Consul at Turk's Island in 1849, and has been The work is going on all over the building, honored by his own State with several offices. notwithstanding it is mid-winter. The weather He is the grandson of Col. Tilghman, of the rev- thus far has been such as not to interfere in any olutionary army, one of Gen. Washington's aidsde-camp, and is a distinguished member of the way with out-of-door labor, and some of our days recently have had all the mildness and beauty of Cincinnati. He is a gentleman of wealth, and October weather. cultivates his large ancestral plantation on the The new dome is the main outside feature of eastern shore of Maryland, near Oxford. He is, observation. It has not gained in height any in every respect, worthy to succeed our late able, since you saw it, but the enlargement of the base, popular and accomplished President, Hon. MAR- by the addition all around it of a cast iron casing, SHALL P. WILDER, to whose indomitable energy is now going on, and as soon as that is completand perseverence the U. S. Agricultural Society ed it will begin to show its magnificence, for it owes a debt of gratitude which it can never repay. will be a magnificent affair. The only fear is that It is generally known, I believe, that but for it will be so large as to overshadow the building Col. Wilder's preremptory declination, he would that instead of being a capitol surmounted have again been elected to the office he so admi- with a dome, it will be a dome with a capitol for rably filled. its foundation!

am one of those who doubt. Time will show.

The United States Agricultural Society has The Treasury and Post Office extensions are started into the present year under glorious aus-rapidly progressing. The city Post Office has repices. With an energetic and accomplished Pres-cently been moved into the latter, and is so arident, supported as he is by a Vice President of character and influence from every State and Ter- is possible for a Post Office to be. It is highly ranged as to be as complete and convenient as it ritory, with an Executive Committee which has creditable to all who have had the control of already evinced a determination to do all in their building and arranging it. It is pleasant to see power to sustain the society, and with that untir-these things going on here, for although silent, ing worker, Maj. BEN: PERLEY POORE as the they outweigh many fold all the clamor and rhodoSecretary, with a permanent office established in mantade now so rife against the perpetuity of the this city, from which is to be issued a monthly Union. They illustrate perfectly the old adage, bulletin, what may not the farming community "actions speak louder than words." hope, expect, indeed, from it? Its days of hope are passed, and those of fruition have commenced. is yet cloudy. There are some bright spots, nowThe political horizon, so far as regards Kansas, The office of the society, occupied by the Secretary and Treasurer, is in Todd's marble build-ever, which give promise of a general clearing up ere long. I was gratified to see in this morning's ing, adjoining Brown's hotel, on Pennsylvania National Intelligencer a candid and impartial Avenue; and it is due Mr. Todd, who is from statement from Gov. Stanton, who has just reMassachusetts, to say that after placing the rent turned from the Territory, placing things in their at a very low rate, he generously deducted fifty true light, for which he is entitled to the thanks

dollars as his own contribution.