We hope our Illino s and Iowa friends, who added so much to the interest of the last meeting, will again be present. will remember that they are Life Members, ex officio, of the State Society, and it is hoped that they will take special interest in all its We make the motion for a grand Fair; how many thousand farmers will second it? You may all speak at once, if you will. Any who cannot attend are earnest y re-affairs. quested to favor the convention with the | results of their experience by letter. The questions of soil, fertilizers, preparation, seed, planting, cultivation, harvesting, manufacture and refining will be discussed in all their ramifications. ADDITIONAL REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD COME. The Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society are to meet at the same time to determine the question of holding a State Fair the coming fall and to revise the Premium List issued in 1861. We have no authority from the Board to make such an announcement, bu feel no hesitation in saying, they would unquestionably be very giad to meet with every friend of Agriculture in the State who can possibly attend. A State Fair Once More. At the late Annual Meeting of the State Agricultural Society, held Dec. 9, the question of a Fair for 1864 was discussed with very favorable results. The Executive Committee will meet on the 2d of February, when the question will again be taken up and fully decided. It is our conviction that, with the use of proper means, a Fair may be held next fall that will excel anything in the past. For three successive years we have been pretty much asleep as an agricultural community in Wisconsin, so far as it relates to public enterprises, and we think it's high time all the friends of agriculture again went to work. The Executive Committee will undoubtedly, as heretofore, be disposed to undertake a Fair, if the people will show some sign of a disposition to heartily endorse their decision. Friends, if you have any suggestions to make, whether on the general subject of holding a Fair, or of a special character, as bearing upon the Premium List and the Management of the Fair, now is your time, before the meeting of the Committee. Afterwards it will be too late to do any good. "Why didn't you go to the War!" Simply because we found it impossible to so shape the important industrial interests of which we happen to have charge as to warrant the going. Our friends, some of them, know that we made repeated efforts to do so, and that we have our pen in hand this moment instead of a musket solely because we could find no one to relieve us of those industrial obligations in the discharge of which we were induced to believe we could render more valuable service to the country than as a soldier in the field. Therefore it was that we declined the commission so kindly tendered us by his Excellency, paid the required $300, and are to-day, in the sacrifice of personal preference and ambition, working quietly on in the unappreciated avocation of an agricultural editor. Descended from ancestors, both paternal and maternal, who freely gave themselves to their country in the wars of the Revolution and o: 1812, we, too, may justly claim to have some drops of patriotic blood in our veins; and, if we may be pardoned for saying thus much in defense of our position, we have no hesitation in declaring it as our own profound conviction that no man who has gone into the military service since the breaking out of this war has more completely immolated himself, in so doing, than have we in denying ourself a part in the grand conflict. The question of our correspondent, almost as above quoted, was personally put by Mr. Seward in the autumn of 1861. Our reply to him may serve as our reply to all: "Sir, I hold that man to be the best patriot who is most willing to serve his country where he can do her the most good. When I become The Presidents of the County Ag. Societies satisfied that I can render her better service with the bayonet than with the pen, I shall be A Scoundrel Spotted. most glad to make the exchange." Northern Farmers in the Cotton Fields. We clip the following from the columns of the State Journal: CAUTION.-I take this opportunity of warning the There are said to be great chances for get-public, and particularly tree and grape vine buyers, ting rich down South, by renting forsaken large, thick set fellow, tongue very smooth and deceptagainst a certain pedier calling himself Elliot. He is a cotton plantations of the Government and ive, drives a span of horses, and has the words " "Grape Vines," with the Stars and Stripes, painted on his wagon. running them on private account. Several Such a man came to my Nursery this fall, and obtainad Vines, Shrubbery, &c., in a manner that I deem but little Milwaukee gentlemen are reported as having better than stealing. I warn the public against purchas ing of this fellow, as he is a cheat and a swindler. gone down to make the experiment. L. P. CHANDLER. The St. Louis Democrat contains the letter of a "prominent army officer," bearing date Goodrich's Landing, Oct. 9th, and addressed to Hon Henry T. Blow, of St. Louis, from which we extract the following: "There is an immense gold field down here, and nobody appears to know it. I want it thrown open to the people so the people can work in it. I refer to the many abandoned plantations from Helena, Arkansas to Natchez, Louisiana. The owners, most of them, have fled with their negroes to Texas and elsewhere, leaving land that should be occupied. "During this year some of the plantations have been worked by northern men, by hiring negro labor. But few leases were given, as it was late in the season when the idea of cultivation was thought of "What leases were given expire in February next, and then I want to see a large laboring population from the north come down here and fill up the country. I lived at Fort Kearney during two gold excitements. One was California, the other Pike's Peak. I saw the great numbers of people that moved there to dig for gold. The gold got there was nothing to what can be made by coming to this country. Let the prospect be advertised in the newspapers of the west, that every man coming down here can have 80 or 200 acres of cotton land, according to his means for working it, to work for one year. Two hundred acres of land means 200 bales of cotton, the net price of which in New York will be $40,000. If 80 acres, it will be $16,000. With hired labor cotton can be raised at 5 cents per pound, which gives a profit of 45 cents per pound, net. No farmer in the north ever dreamed of such profit; and if the advantages of coming here were known they would flock down here by thousands. * ཚུ "The question of title to the land must not make timid a man who is thinking to come here. The cultivation of one year is enough to induce him to come. A man that takes only 80 acres can go back home at the end of the year with at least $8,000 in his pocket. Would he make one-tenth that by staying at home?" Some truth, and some fever. The farmers of Wisconsin, as a general rule, are doing very well where they are, and it is usually best to let well enough alone. "Some of the Ladies in Hartford Appear in the streets without hoops, but with dresses that come down only to the ankle, disclosing balmoral boots and striped stockings. One of the Hartford papers thinks this a "pleasant reform."--Exchange. We have nothing in particular to say against the hoops, but long, mud-mopping dresses have always appeared to us shamefully out of place in the street. We have heard of this same fellow's tricks in other parts of the State, and republish Mr. Chandler's "caution" for the benefit of our readers. Gathering up worthless vines, labelling with the name of some extraordinary variety and selling them at one to three dollars a piece, is, in our opinion, worse than "stealing," and should subject the swindler to a severe letting alone, if, not, indeed, to summary punishment. If we had him in hand, we would forthwith turn him over to the tender mercies of our "Peleg," with the proviso that after being "stoned," he should be compelled to eat sour grapes to all eternity. Our advice to farmers who want to buy nursery stock, is, that they send their orders direct to long-tried and well established cultivators. Encouraging Words. It is gratifying to know that the FARMER is rapidly gaining in favor with the people. Very few seem disposed, for any cause, to discontinue, and almost every renewal is accompanied by cheering words of commendation. The following is a sample: EDITOR WISCONSIN FARMER:-Please find enclosed $1, and continue the FARMER to me for the year 1864. You are certainly doing a good work, and I regret that my circumstances will not permit me to serve you as agent here. You ought to have, and I believe might have, fifty subscribers at this Post Office. I like the FARMER for its valuable practical instruction, but even more for its independent, common-sense way of dealing with ques tions of a high political, social and moral character. It was a valuable journal, and creditable to our State, seven or eight years ago. but is now greatly improved, and manifestly on the pathway to a brighter destiny. SPENCER CARR. ONALASKA, Dec. 12, 1863. Jottings from Our Note-Book of Travel. There have been times during my almost two months' stay in this city when I must have described it as a world of bricks, in huge piles, left out in the rain--a bank of miserable, impenetrable fog--a monstrous mud-hole, ten miles by ten, set off by chaotic heaps of much abused building material, and animated by greasy, solemn looking creatures, by courtesy called menor, as a hundred square miles of commingled squalor and magnificence, the former immensely preponderating. in my enthusiasm, how magnificent and glorious a city! The truth lies between these extremes. London is too vast to be seen at a glance, and flippantly reported. To picture it truthfully, one should be broad and comprehensive in his views, deliberate and impartial in his judgment, and have spent in its midst at least one full, industrious year. My visit has embraced the most favorable season, and I cannot, of course, fully appreciate the gloominess of some of the late autumn and winter months, when the thickness of the fog compels the constant burning of gas everywhere, in streets, shops and dwellings, and the carrying of lanterns then, even at the hour of noon; all that I must take on trust— an exercise of faith by no means difficult after the experience I have already had. But then, coming from the pure air and clear skies of America, there is no doubt but that I shall do the gloomy side of London the fullest justice. Shall I also be able truthfully to reflect the sunny side? that is the question that most should concern me, perhaps. Of London itself, as a city, topographically, architecturally, mechanically and commercially considered, it is utterly out of my power to give an adequate idea in the brief, hasty notes I now write. In statistical style, I could easily say that London is situated on both sides of the river Thames, at a point 60 miles from where it district includes an area of 122 square miles At other times, when the sun has deigned to smile for a few consecutive hours, drying off the bedrizzled world, making the palaces, cathedrals and magnificent business blocks resplendent with all that can contribute to the comfort and happiness of an enlightened people, and tempting out into the fashionable avenues a brilliant throng of those who repre-empties into the sea-that the metropolitan sent the beauty, wealth and power, of the foremost kingdom of the earth; and when, that the surface on which the city is built under the inspiration of such a day and of is undulating on the north side of the river, such scenes, I have further thought of its and girded round by an interrupted chain of thousands of teeming factories, its crowded hills, while on the south side it is more level docks and wharves, its forests of ships of -that West End' is more especially occuevery name and nation, its many noble bridges | pied by beautiful parks, gardens, terraces and and world-famed tunnel, its almost omnipo- the magnificent residences of wealthy busitent banks and stock exchanges, its vast metropolitan produce markets, and of its numberless schools, churches, hospitals and other institutions that minister to the bodily and spiritual needs of over three and a half millions of people, at such times I would have said, 6 ness men and of the nobility, including also the royal palaces, old and new, while 'East End' is industral and commercial; embracing the Stock Exchange, the palatial banking houses, the Coal Exchange, the great Colonial Produce Market, the fish and other food mar Of Metcmen, Fond du Lac county, will please accept the thanks of Mrs. Hoyt for a quantity of apples grown by himself. They are cf excellent quality, and afford good evidence of what may done in the northern counties of a "hyperborean State." The R. R. Companies of this State kets, the docks and the shipping, the vast Mr. E. Reynolds, Have a scheme for consolidation, which should receive the attention of every man interested in the welfare of the State. If a company of perfect men could be found, such The Popular Columbus (0.) Nurseries, now owned exclusively by Messrs. A. G. Han1ord and Brother, Mr. Bateham having retired on account of declining health. that London contains 1,100 churches of all denominations, some of them built nearly a thousand years ago, and one of them (St. Paul's) second only to St. Peter's at Rome, in all the world, for the grandeur of its proportions and for the beauty, symmetry and sublimity of its architecture-that its schools, public and private, number 4,600, with accommodations for 260,000 children, its Snnday schools 700, with an attendance of 139,000-that its charitable institutions accom-logue for the Spring of 1864, just received, are modate and relieve some 200,000 persons annually that its police force of 6,000 men annually deals with not less than 100,000 offenders-that the periodicals published number 500, the libraries also hundreds, with millions on millions of volumes-that the trade of the city is illustrated by the fact that 50,000 vessels are engaged in its commerce; the exports and imports exceeding $325,000,000 in value-and finally that the growth of London is so rapid that it threatens to cover all England! the increase in population for the last decade having been 47.24 per cent. all this I might say, and more, but then how imperfect an idea would it give of the all there is of this mighty city of London! It were utterly useless to attempt a complete picture at one sitting; and the best that I can do is to promise a series of special sketches at some time in the future. Who has a Good Buggy Horse To exchange for one of Prince & Co.'s $170 melodeons, new? Address answer to "Care of Publishers FARMER." Mr. Hanford writes us that their sales the past autumn were larger than ever before, and that the pr. spect for a large spring trade was never so good as now. Glad of it. No nurserymen in the world are more deserving. The Scientific American, Designed especially for mechanics, inventors, manufacturers, engineers, agriculturists and chemists, is the best paper of its kind in America, and is worthy of an immense pat ronage. Terms-$3 for one year; $1.50 for six months; $1 for four months; 20 copies, $40 Specimen copies sent free; also, gratis, & pamphlet of "Advice to Inventors." Address Munn & Co., publishers, 37 Park Row, New York City. The Rural Annual for 1864. The Rural Annual and Horticultural Directo ry is a little pamphlet of 100 pages, published at the commencement of each year by the Editor of the Genesee Farmer, at Rochester, N. Y. It was started in 1856, and a new volume has been issued each year. The volume for 1864 is now before us. Among its contents are many articles of interest and value. Price 25 cents. It will be sent prepaid by return mail on receipt of the price. Address JOSEPH HARRIS, Editor Genesee Farmer, Rochester, N. Y. Hunt's Merchant's Magazine. The late Freeman Hunt commenced this periodical nearly twenty-five years ago, (it is now far into its forty-ninth volume,) and the necessity for such a publication, as well as the tact and ability with which it was conducted, made it a popular and paying property within three months. Out of the United States no magazine is so well known, so highly esteemed so completely relied upon by men of business. It is to be found on the table in almost every Chamber of Commerce in England and the continent, as well as in Australia and India. Famous for the accuracy of its information, it has obtained high repute as a reliable work. Mr. Hunt, its founder, died in 1856, and his magazine is now conducted, in the good old style, by a very able successor, Mr. William B. Dana. Forney's Press. young colt that is badly stifled. Have tried everything we could hear of-white oak bark, alum, the white of eggs and the stifle block. It has been off for probably three months. Th stifle seems to swing loose. It does not seem to cripple her; she runs, kicks up her heels and don't limp, only with now and then a halt." [A rather novel case, it seems to us. Perhaps some of our readers have had such experience as will enable them to answer the enquiry.] What Breed of Hogs? I own a grist mill, and should like to keep a good breed of hogs there. What breed would you recommend, and where can I get a sow or a few pigs? NEOSHO, Dodge Co., Wis. J. R. LEHMANN. [The Suffolk, or a cross of the Suffolk with the Berkshire, would perhaps answer your purpose as well as any of the breeds of swine. Don't know just now who has them to sell. Probably some of your own county farmers who happen to see this, will be able to accommodate you.] PUBLISHERS' CORNER. Old Subscribers, As well as new, are entitled to a choice of the prizes offered in Prospectus. The Paper Makers Threaten to raise the price of paper yet derived from the publication of the FARMER higher! If they should, every cent of profit will accrue to the subscriber; and then we may look for a mighty influx of names. Even now we think they have decidedly the best of it. Clubbing.-Subscribers Who wise to take other periodicals in connection with the FARMER, are referred to our corrected club list in Prospectus. The Atlantic Monthly has added another 25 cts. to its clubbing price, so that we are now unable to furnish both it and the FARMER for less than $3.50. We are Paying out Hundreds of dollars for Prizes for spring distribution. Pour in the names, so that |