INDIANA FARMER.
Devoted to Agriculture. Horticulture, "Tlcclianlcu and tho   Uicful Arts.
D. r. Hollow*y, W. T. D«nnl«, j
R. T.nced.—Editors. |
RICHMOND, APRIL 15,1855.
(Hollowly & Co., Putlishsrs.
1    Vol. XV No.   12.
Next State Fair.
We understand that the citizens of Indianapolis have complied with the requisitions of
the State Board of Agriculture, and that it
has been determined to hold the next Fair at
the Capital. We are not advised as to the
arrangements made with the railroad companies. We presume, however, they are satisfactory. Unless they are liberal, we hope no
Fair will be held.
 ^.-^aw.^-	
The Season.
March left us in a passion of snow-squalls
and cold winds, and April seems to have taken the weather up where March left it, and
has during the first half of the month been
playing the second part of the same tune.—
The country East and North of us has experienced snow-storms of almost unprecedented
severity, and .although none of moment has
fallen here, yet we have had a succession of
cold, bleak winds, and an atmosphere as chilly
as winter. Vegetation has as yet hardly shown
symptoms of returning life, and the spring
crops which usually are all nicely in the
ground ere this, are only partially sown, and
every kind of farming work behind its ordinary time. The season, so far, has been most
fatal to wheat in this region. The long continued cold drying winds, and the almost entire absence of rain during the month, and the
severe operations of the heavy successive
frosts, has almost ruined the heretofore flattering prospects of the farmer for a good wheat
crop. The failure of the growing crop of
wheat would be a great National calamity, and
one which let us hope the hand of Providence
will avert.
Flour is higher to-day in the principal cities
of the West than almost ever before, and the
lucky owner of a barrel of flour now is a man
to be envied.
This matter of eating is getting tolerably
expensive now-a-days. Good beef cattle are
selling readily at 88 50® 10 00 per hundred,
potatoes, 82 per bushel, flour ten dollars per
barrel, and money as scarce as "hen's teeth."
However, we must solace ourselves as did the
old lady anciently, who said that when things
got as bad as they possibly could be, they would
either get better or worse soon.
Improved Horses.
By referring to Wm. Spinning & Co.'s advertisement in our cover, it will be seen that
the breeders of fine and fast horses have the
finest opportunity to improve their stook that
has ever been presented in this country. The
" Young Proud American" is far the finest
stallion in style and points that has ever stood
in Richmond; and of "Morgan Hector," it is
only necessary to say that he has to a rare degree the blood and characteristics of this deservedly popular strain of horses. Morgan
has been purchased and brought back here a4
the earnest request of many of our breeders,
who having seen his colts, and learned the value
of the stock, arc anxious to breed from him.
£57* Rolling Wheat, particularly where
grass seeds have been sown, will be found of
great benefit at suoh a time as this, when the
weak and dying plants are fast loosing their
hold upon the ground, and require to be pressed
into the earth again, to give them life and vigor.
A much larger proportion of grass seeds
will germinate by being pressed into tho
ground than would otherwise, and the process,
beside, is of much benefit in smoothing the
surface of the ground, and fitting it for the
Scythe or Mowing Machine.
£3T Horney & Co.'s premium Empire Steel
Plows are winning golden opinions from all
quarters, and we are sorry to learn that although they are making eight or ten per day,
they fall far short of supplying the demand.
1ST Will some of our New York friends
give us "Hoosiers" a little information in regard to the expense and utility of "drain tile"
—where obtained—what form the best, &c?
JC3T Col. Sherwood advertises his sale of
Durham Cattle, Suffolk Pigs and Southdown
Sheep, in our paper of this day. Mr. S. has
been one of the most successful breeders in
New York, and his stock offers very favorable opportunities to purchasers.
. . mm.  .
The State Agricultural Society of Ohio,
has not yet decided to hold a State Fair the
preseit year in consequence of the Rail Road
companies refusing to take stock'free.