Perkins's Corn Husker.

This machine will husk corn of any size, on the stalk, just as cut from the ground.

The operator, seated on the machine, holds with the left hand, the ear under the cutters, and with the mallet, A, in the right hand, striking the short lever, B, downwards, cuts the ear close to the first row of kernels, (the cutters being in contact or close together when they descend,) then striking the long lever, C, outward, the car is pushed entirely out of the husk, being but two motions-first, down

Fall Plowing.

MESSRS. EDITORS-Late sowing and planting, to judge from my few years' experience in farming, seems to be the cause to which most frequently the failure of our spring crops may be traced. Late sowing, after hasty and imperfect preparation, in nine cases out of ten, results in a poor erop. Our summers are frequently dry; if the drouth comes on early, the crop is pinched while attempting to root, and can never attain full growth. If it had started earlier, the drouth which now so materially affects the product, would have injured it much less-the roots having a deeper hold upon the soil. This every farmer finds to be the

caso.

But why do we sow and plant so late when we know the risk taken? Because the spring season is often wet and cold; we cannot plow our heavy soils until "settled warm weather," and then the pressure of work is great-we have barley, oats and corn to prepare forfences to repair-manure to draw out-a hundred things to do in a few short weeks, and in consequence some must be delayed-none have that thoroughness which should be bestowed upon them. In consequence of this delay our barley and oats dry up, our corn is cut by early frost-and not a few of the many things which ought to be done, are totally neglected.

Among the ways of hastening the work within the reach of every farmer, we reckon fall plowing as of no small importance. It will mend the matter in several respects. The land latest fit for plowing in the spring, is generally in its best condition in autumn, and needs "the ameliorating influences of fermentation and frost," to fit it for spring crops. We have a case in sight, where a clayey field was broken up late in spring, when too dry, and consequently came up in large lumps-larger, many of them, than the horses' heads. This was four years ago, and the ground has

not yielded a crop of much account since, though fall plowing last year, improved the last crop considerably. It is equally injurious to plow when too wet-as was a portion of the same field-though it will do to plow land moister in autumn than in the spring.

Green-sward is better subdued and mellowed by fall plowing, than by that of any other season. The work should be thoroughly done, and the sward will be thoroughly cleared of vegetable growth-weeds and grass turned under perfectly in autumn, do not often make their appearance again. And, by the way, though I would plant corn on manured greensward plowed in spring, I would not sow any other spring crop. I have tried it to my satisfaction; and though the sward was plowed early and well, and harrowed and gang-plowed until in fine tilth, the oat crop was very moderate, and such has ever been my experience on spring plowed green-sward.

Other advantages of fall plowing might be enumerated-such as the state of the team, the price of labor, the hastening of spring work, etc.; but any farmer who will think about it will see very readily that it is advisable to plow all that he can for spring-wheat, barley and oats, &c., in the fall, especially on heavy lands.

Let no one try the experiment unless he is willing to do the work thoroughly-as well as if preparing for his most important crop. It is of very little use to turn over the soil in autumn, if you leave it to be covered with water through the winter. It will become as hard as before-the frost produces no favorable effect upon it-and, instead of drying off light and mellow in the spring, it will be baked and hard, fit for no crop, and not readily fitted for one. Plow narrow leads, clean out all the dead furrows, provide carefully for the drainage of all surface water, and as much below the surface as may be, and you will become a believer in fall plowing. A YOUNG FARMER. Niagara Co., N. Y.

Pig Troughs.

Can you inform me in your next number, the best way of making troughs for feeding pigs? J. W. S. Chester Co., Pa.

The simplest and most common way of making pigtroughs, is shown in fig. 1. Two boards are nailed together nearly at right angles at the edges,

Fig. 1.

0000000

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3. board then nailed firmly across each end, completing the trough. Ground feed, mixed with water, will soon stop the cracks and render it perfectly tight. Hard wood, not easily warped, white-oak for instance, will last longer, and not be so soon devoured by the pigs. The nails should be stout and frequent. An active farmer will make one himself in less than half an hour. To prevent the pigs from crowding each other, cross pieces are sometimes nailed across the top, dividing the trough into compartments. These, however, prevent the easy cleaning of the trough, which in all good, clean establishments is done at least once a day. A better way, therefore, is to cover the whole with a board (fig. 2) with several holes cut through, which fits within the trough and is pinned down at the ends.

Cast iron troughs are much better than wooden ones, not being liable to injury from the animals. A plank covering with holes, will answer well, and may be renewed when necessary.

When made of wood, the cross boards at the ends should be long enough to prevent the animals from upsetting the trough, or else should be very securely nailed to the floor or fastened to its place.

(This answer has been accidentally delayed a few weeks-we hope it is not yet too late to prove useful.)

KICKING-COWs.-Cows sometimes move their feet from impatience or restlessness, and sometimes kick for the same reason. Any invariable and prompt infiction of a short quick punishment will soon cure them. They dislike to have their teats jerked, and if whenever they kick or step, this infliction always instantly follows, they will soon cease. It is of the utmost importance that it be always uniformly severe, not irregular, and never but once performed for each repetition of the fault.

The New-York State Fair.

In every feature presenting more or less of interest and merit, and, in most departments, exhibiting a gratifying advance upon its predecessors, the State Fair held last week at Syracuse, was not only an example of the advantages of a central location, but also a most creditable witness to the agricultural improvement of the immediate locality in which it was held. Now that it is over, and we have all returned once more to our usual duties, the general results of the week that is passed can but claim a review; and it is matter of congratulation to the farmers of the State that there is room for so much commendation, and that we are saying words, not of compliment but of "truth and soberness," when we add, that seldom, if ever, has such an anniversary been the occasion of so thorough and general satisfaction.

THE EXHIBITION.-In Cattle, which stand first upon the Premium List, the Exhibition as a whole was probably never excelled in this country. The only breed wholly or entirely wanting to complete the list was the Alderney, which had we think not a representative on the grounds,—but in Short-Horns, Devons, Herefords and Ayrshires, the first two especially, the turnout was good and large. And no one could have passed the stalls devoted to the Grades, without renewed conviction of the benefit which the importation of improved breeds has been to the country. The different classes of Working Oxen, so far as the writer could ascertain, were remarkably well filled. Some of the Fat Cattle were of immense frame, and perfectly loaded with flesh. In Horses the different classes were generally full-if we except Thorough-breds, which were almost or entirely wanting. The show of Stallions of all work, and of Morgans or Black Hawks, is spoken of as very good, and there were some excellent matched horses, geldings and mares. Mules and Jacks were rather deficient. In Sheep, the show was very good and extensive, and this was also the case in Swine. In Poultry, the Superintendent assured us he had never seen a better display, including a wide collection of different varieties, and good competition in nearly all.

THE WEATHER AND ATTENDANCE.-The heavy showers of the preceding week had, it was hoped, opened the way for clearer skies during our Exhibition, and Tuesday we began to think the promise good for the three succeeding days. Wednesday was very fine, but the wind shifted at evening to south and east, and Thursday we woke to a rain-storm, every hour of which from early dawn until noon, diminished the attendance by thousands. With the fine receipts up to Wednesday evening, and the evident feeling along all the lines of Railroad centering in Syracuse, as well as among the farmers of Onondaga and adjoining counties, there was every reason to anticipate the largest receipts the Society's treasury had ever known. The result as it proved to be, was, in view of the weather, most encouraging-the total being $10,815 81.

MOWERS AND REAPERS.-The collection of these was extensive and valuable. There were several that were new, of which some appeared to possess much merit. Among the newer machines, were those of Bullock & Bros. from Chautauque Co.; J. &. G. Lord of Watertown, who exhibited a cam machine, with an ingenious self-raking attachment; Willard & Ross, Vergennes, Vt.; Gore's New-England mower, a one

horse machine; Wheeler's patent from Shourds & Mosher, Cayuga county; the iron mower of H. Marcellus, of Amsterdam, N. Y.; Parkhurst's Buffalo mower; Tyler's patent, from Washington county; J. V. Wemple's, from Fonda; Hubbard's machine, and others. The older and well known mowers and reapers of Allen, Kirby, Wood, Hussey, Ketchum, Miller and Aultman, and others were also on the ground, including the one-horse machines of Kirby and Ketchum. Some of the new machines were in many particulars imitations of the best older ones, with important improvements in some particulars, and complex encumberments in others. Sherwood's reaper and binder, for attaching to any reaping machine, excited much attention. The operator, by its assistance, will bind as fast as the larger machines will cut, and thus save the labor of several men. Annealed wire is used for the bands, and costs but 15 cents per acre.

The costly and complex corn-huskers which were shown last year at Buffalo, have given place to the cheaper and simpler ones exhibited this year. One of the best of these was the simple and compact iron husker of G Bellows, of Seneca Falls, which cuts the cob, and shoots out the ear with one blow of the leverhandle. A less compact, but equally efficient and perhaps better machine is Gould's patent, also from Seneca Falls. We were rather disappointed with the operation of Perkin's machine, which requires two distinct blows of a mallet to push an ear.

Morrison's patent corn-sheller was one of the best we saw in operation, clearing the cob in a neat and perfect manner, and with ease to the operator-the price $12. Another, known as the "Young America," and invented by J. P. Smith, although hardly as efficient as the former, was greatly superior in compactness, and is offered at $10.

Cahoon's Sowing Machine, both for horse and hand power, was exhibited-the horse machine has proved of great efficiency, and the latter would be also, but for the hard labor it involves to the operator. There were three modifications of the rotating harrow, the amount of merit of which is not yet fully determined. Winegar's gate excited much attention, from the ease of its operation to the driver of carriages without dismounting. The "Parallelogram Gate," of W. Tobey, Naples, N. Y., a new contrivance, is opened and shut by riding on perpendicular levers-it is very simple in construction, but requires further trial to determine its value. There were several modifications of portable fences, the pannels locking together at the ends; some zig-zag and others straight. The exhibitors stated their cost, variously at 45 to 70 cents a rod, but we did not find any that appeared to be faultless-those merely resting on the ground being liable to be upset, and others intended for staking or pinning to the ground being consequently attended with much labor in getting up. It is proper to add, however, that the former may answer well in sheltered valleys, excluded from winds.

Two hand-sawing machines were in operation, one of them from Heth, Hall & Co., and the other from Porter, Kellogg & Co, both of Jefferson county. The former is worked by both hands and feet, the operator standing on a reciprocating platform-the latter by working a lever something like the motion of a pumphandle. The exhibitors claim that the application of the force is so much more efficient than with a common

wood saw, that a great increase in effective work is attained, some five cords of wood being cut from logs in a day by one hand. The price is about $20. Gladding's patent hay fork was shown in partial operation, and is obviously a valuable contrivance. The hay is raised by a horse, and the load cast off and dropped by pulling a cord. The price $10.

We observed several good horizontal horse powers, among them one from Walrath Brothers of Chittenango, N. Y., compact, well made and quiet running; and another from B. & H. Wakely of McLean, N. Y. The platform scales from Strong & Ross of Brandon, Vermont, appeared to be of excellent manufacture, and they are said to possess great accuracy.

Emery Brothers as usual made an extensive display of their well made agricultural machinery. Among the objects shown by them, was a collection of plows, their dynamometer, which served so valuable a purpose at the Syracuse trial of implements last year, their good and simple sugar-cane mill, a simple and efficient shingle jointing machine, a clover mill, a corn and cob crusher, a horse-fork, corn-sheller, portable grist mill, horse-power churn, portable cider mill, and last and not least, a set of railway horse-powers, thrashers and separators.

The collection of Richard H Pease, also of Albany, comprised Horse Powers, Threshers and Separators, Circular Saw Mills and Saws, a Clover Huller, and Cider Mill, on which several prizes were awarded. Wheeler, Melick & Co., also exhibited sets of Horse Powers, Threshers, &c., from their extensive Factory. One of the most admirably made machines on the ground, was the portable steam engine from A. N. & E. D. Wood of Utica. They have recently made a valuable improvement for confining the fire and rendering the engine more safe and secure. So perfect was the construction of this engine, that the least noise could not be perceived from its active working at a distance of two paces, and of course it was perfectly free from oscillation-a difficulty of a formidable character in some other portable engines.

Among the other articles which we can only enumerate, were Starks and Perigo's spoke planing machine; Birdsell's clover thresher and cleaner; Reynold's band cutter and self-feeder for threshing machines, simple and apparently efficient; Spencer's thresher and separator, from Tompkins county, well made and well arranged; Westinghouse's set of excellent railroad horse powers and threshers, circular saws, &c., and Badger's horse powers. R. C. Pratt of Canandaigua exhibited a simpler and improved form of his ditcher, which is reduced in weight and price to about one-half of the former machine, and we should think much easier to handle and manage.

A collection of plows from Walter Warren of Utica, R. M. Hermance of Syracuse, P. Auld of Utica, Holmes, Stringer & Co., Munnsville, J. & G. Lord & Co., Watertown, and Woodworth, Whitney & Co., Manlius, and cultivators from Sayre & Remington, Utica, J. P. Cramer, Schuylerville, and J. S. & M. Peckham of Utica.

Allen's potato digging plow, and a much more complex digger (costing some $50) from J. E. Hardenburgh, Fultonville, N. Y.

DOMESTIC CONTRIVANCES.

Shaler's carpet sweeper, is a revolving brush, which carries the sweepings from the carpet into a small tin

trough, and wholly prevents dust from filling the room. The whole is somewhat in the form and about the size of a common floor brush, and is thrust backwards and forwards across the floor, the motion causing the brush to revolve, and thoroughly to clear the surface.

There were several sewing machines in operation, both the old, approved, high-priced machines, and the newer and cheaper ones. Among the latter, the "Home Sewing Machine," from A. N. Dewitt, agent, Buffalo, appears to promise best. The contrivance for forming the loop is very simple and certain, and the machine appears to be of excellent construction. How's spring bed bottom, made of wood slats, hung on steel springs at the ends, appeared worthy of commendation. We observed several forms of the washing machine, which must require trial for judging properly of their merits. Wisner's is modified so as to wash wristbands and collars alike with other parts of garments. Johnson's patent pounder is commendable from its simplicity, and was highly spoken of by those who have tried it. A rotating rubber in a tub, constitutes the washing machine of A. Wood of Camden, N. Y. Swan's combined machine for washing clothes, churning, cutting sausage meat, and cutting roots, excited much attention for its novelty, and its apparent efficiency as a washer, but it appeared too complex, and we think undertakes too much to be good in all.

Roe's cheese-vat and heater appears to be a very valuable assistant to the cheese maker. A few chips will warm sufficiently the large contents of the vatthe cost, $20. Robertson's suspended self-acting cheese press was the simplest machine of the kind we saw upon the grounds-there were several others of a more costly and probably efficient character. There were several "improved" churns, but time and opportunity does not allow us to judge of their merits.

FLORAL HALL was simple in its structure, and with less elaborate embellishment than some of its predecessors of former years, but was greatly admired for its simple and graceful attractions, the interior being freely and profusely lined with evergreens. It was designed and completed within a few days notice, by W. B. Smith of Syracuse, of the firm of Thorp, Smith & Hanchett. We are sorry it could not have been better filled, although there were several excellent collections of fruits and flowers. The largest contributors of these were Hamilton White and A. Monroe of Syracuse, and Thorp, Smith & Hanchett, who occupied long lines of tables and shelves with an extensive collection of apples and pears, and a profuse display of roses, verbenas, dahlias, petunias, &c., and a large mass of plants in pots. A. S. Moss of Fredonia, presented an excellent collection of native grapes, large, handsomely grown, and well ripened, and among them the best specimens of the Concord we have seen of the growth of this State. G. E. Ryckman of Chautauque Co., exhibited 10 varieties of native grapes, mostly fine and well ripened, and J. M. Mattison of Tompkins Co., several varieties. One of the finest collections of exotic grapes was exhibited by Hamilton White of Syracuse. Fine Diana and Rebecca grapes were presented by Wm. Brocksbank of Hudson. Excellent cranberries were brought by D. L. Halsey of Cayuga, and N. Hill of Steuben. One of the rarest and most valuable collections in the entire hall, was the contribution of pears and plums from Ellwanger & Barry of Rochestersome of the specimens of pears were really superb.

* *

Agricultural and Horicultural Literature. FLINT'S "MYLCH COWS AND DAIRY FARMING."This work, already announced through our columns, has just appeared, and in a style of typography manifesting a considerable improvement upon that of most previous agricultural books issued in this country. In contents it fills a place long vacant. The author takes up in his introductory chapter, the various races of Pure Bred Cattle in the United States, ranking them for dairying purposes in the following order: the Ayrshire, Jersey, Short- Horn, the Dutch cattle, the Hereford, and the Devon. He then turns to the Grade or "Native" stock of the country, tracing it back to its origin, and treats of the principles that should be employed in breeding. The only point on which we can ground a complaint, among many features worthy of high commendation, is in the matter of illustrations. The portraits are not good examples of the breeds they are intended to represent, and are drawn on a diversity of scale that leaves the reader in some doubt which would weigh the heaviest, an Alderney cow or a ShortHorn bull, so far as the relative size of the engravings is any guide. The "Oakes cow" (p. 73) is a monstrosity of ill-proportion. This, however, now that good portraits of fine animals are so frequently met with, is quite an insignificant point, practically. * Chapter 3d treats of the selection of Milch Cows, and furnishes valuable directions, while here the diagrams and illustrations are of great assistance, and all that could be asked; the twenty-two pages devoted to Guenon's system, give a very complete and perfect idea of its latest developments, and will be regarded by many as alone worth the price of the volume. The succeeding chapter on the Feeding and Management of Dairy Cows, raising Calves, the Culture of Grasses and other plants for grazing, green fodder, and curing or cooking,-render these departments very full and valuable. Those on Milk, the Butter Dairy, and the Cheese Dairy, are pointed and practical. The Diseases of Dairy Stock are well and fully treated. The largely illustrated chapters on Dutch dairying are very interesting. The "Letter to a Dairy Woman," forming chapter 12, contains some excellent and important hints. The whole concludes with a consideration of the Piggery as a branch of the dairy establishment, and an Appendix containing Horsfall's Essay on the Management of Dairy Cattle. And it is difficult to conceive how the author could have compressed more that was necessary to the completeness of his work, into its compass, or better arranged the space devoted to the respective subjects involved. A minute examination might perhaps detect room for unimportant improvements, and on subjects in respect to which there is so wide a diversity of opinion, it will be strange if all are found to agree exactly in his conclusions; but as a sound and useful volume, we take pleasure in commending it cordially to our readers, and bespeaking for it their early acquaintance. It can but rank as a standard American Dairy book for some time to come. [New-York: A. O. Moore. Also for sale at this office-price $1.25.]

"THE BARN-YARD-A MANUAL OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS."-Fowler & Wells have just issued this volume in their series of rural manuals. It treats of the Horse, the Ass, Cattle, Sheep, Swine, the Improvement of Breeds, Diseases and their Cure, Poultry and Bee

Keeping. Embracing so much within the limits of about 170 pp., one could not expect to find it very full in respect to details, but it affords a judicious resume of the subjects embraced and is written with a considerable degree of conciseness; probably there is no means of getting so much about Domestic Animals at the cost in any other volume. [For sale at this office -paper 30 cts, cloth 50 cts]

Experiments with Potatoes.

Does the Potato Degenerate?-In answer to this question, allow me to state some facts which have come under my own observation this season. Of some two dozen varieties planted, not more than one-third of them have produced a single ball. Six of these, occupying less than three-fourths of an acre of ground, we do not believe produced more than one quart of balls all told. The Early Blues produced some half a pint to a pint of balls to a square rod or so. But some Prince Alberts produced some four quarts to the square rod by actual measure. This would be at the rate of 20 bushels of balls to the acre. I do not think either this town or county has produced from all other varieties put together 20 bushels of balls this season.

Seven stalks of the Albert produced 135 balls, and 60 tubers. One hill of three stalks produced 54 balls and 20 tubers, and one stalk to one hill produced 42 balls and 5 good table potatoes. This last named stalk is an isolated case, and gives a product of over 8 balls to each tuber. The Albert is without a rival in producing either balls or tubers. The Albert is tough, hardy, and vigorous, and will endure the blight like the king of vines. His stalks are still green, which, with my Jenny Linds, which are also green, still stand unharmed comparatively with the potato blight, which was never known to be worse in its features, or more extended in its ravages than now among our common varieties.

Experiments with Salt.-About the first of June last I took up a refuse potato, and began to cut it open; it was black within, and not fit to give to a hog. The chits in part being alive, I resolved to plant it, (or the eye chits,) and after digging down to the subsoil, I put down at least two large handfuls of salt, and returned the earth again. Then about even with the surface, I scattered in the eye chits. After many days four of the chits came up, of a deep green hue, and grew vigorously. Not until just before the last hoeing, did I add any farther stimulant, when I put on two handfuls of compost of hen manure, ashes, and rich earth. These tops continued to grow vigorously until September; but no balls, no blows, and no buds, nor the least sign of a bud ever made their appearance on these tops. I pulled these tops green Sept. 11th, and dug out nine tubers, all sound and perfect up to this date; I intend to plant the same in 1859, and if they continue sound and produce balls, I intend to report the same for the benefit of the reading public. I believe in a warm dry soil, salt as a manure, and deep clean culture, in raising a crop of sound potatoes, and last, but not least, in harvesting potatoes like other crops, as they ripen-at least their tops, which amounts to the same thing. This is like electricity and steam on this point. "Knowledge is power."

I have as yet dug but five rods of Alberts, one rod of which yields 44 quarts, or at the rate of 220 bushels