VoLX
IKDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, MAY 8th, 1875.
No. 18.
Ijyg Stock.
BTATE    ASSOCIATION    OF    THE
SHOET HORN BREEDEBS.
The Indiana Association of Shorthorn Breeders hold their Annual Session in this city on Wednesday the 2t>th
of this month. The meeting promises
to bo largely attended from all quarters.
The fine Crescent Hill herd of Short-
. horns will boon exhibition and sale at
the State Fair grounds on the 25th, 2<>'th
and 27th, the sale taking place en the
27th. /
Importation of Cattle.—Mr. B. B.
Groom of Winchester, Kentucky has
just returned from England with thirty
head of English cattle, of the celebrated
Bates stock.
Editor Indiana Farmer.—In a noto
from A. Brower, of Wayne county, I
see the weight of his first Napier Calf
at six months old is 569 which is good,
but I am a little ahead with my Vine-
wood calves. One calf 5 months old
(ted), weighs COO ponnds with common
keeping; calf No. 2 (roan), 4 months
old weighs 500. Jno. S. Hodson.
• Ogden, Ind.
; PREMIUM NO. 13.
James Mustard Esq., of Broad Ripple, this county, stopped in front of onr
office one day last week, with the Poland China boar furnished by him, as
our premium No. 13, to Reuben Hall of
Montpelier, Blackford county. The
animal attracted much attention and
was pronounced choice in every particular. Some of our best hog-men say he
will make a fine show animal. We have
no doubt but he will be worth hundreds
of dollars to Mr. Hall and his neighbors
in the improvement of their stock.
Bro. Mustard will continue ■■ to furnish
the best of breeding animals.
Forthe Indiana 1 armer.  ."    '    .
NOVEL THEORY-LETTER  FROM
'AS EXPERIENCED  BREEDER
•    OF ALDERNEY STOCK.
;• Maysville, Ky., May, 3,'75.
In the article published by you March
13,1875, "All about breeding dairy cattle," allusion was made to the markings
of cattle indicative of their merit in
contributing to the support of man.
Up to the record of Laban and Jacob's
cattle transaction, the only requisition
made upon the herd, was for milk and
labor, in support of man.
j The flesh of the herd, or beef, had
not been used as an article of food. After the confusion of tongues at Babel,
the means used by the Creator to cause
the people to seperate and occupy different parts of the earth, and assume
different modes of living. It is probable
tJiat tbe Creator'made use of Jacob in
his cattle breeding to seperate the
beef cattle from thc milk cattle, tbat
beef might be added to the articles of
food for man, Genesis 32 chap. 32 verse ;
■ also, Deut. 12. 20-21, in which permission is given for the killing and eating
of the herd and flocks.
■?'( The separation has proven perfect, the
two qualifications to the point of perfection cannot be exercised or made
available in an animal of either class of
cattle, at the same time. With all tho
tcience controlled by the breeders of
eattle in this enlightened age, they# can
but select of the material provided,
nich as he wishes to combine, hopeing
to produce a desired result, in this the
breeders of dairy cattle, have two division of their stock, the milk cow from
perfection down to the inferior beef animal. The butter making cow also from
perfection down to an inferior beef ani-
liaK A mark indicating their degree of
Jierit was placed ^ upon them by the
Creator who supervised the production
of sJacob'sherd.
j The discovery of those markings is
we of comparative late date, and by an
obscure working man, a native of France,
*jd publised as Guenon's treatise on
J»e milk cow, which can be purchased
»Qr less than one dollar, is the only work
0} real value to   those who  breed, or
■• Purchase dairy stock, that I have ever
•Jen. Its general use will establish a
.•Mandard of merit, regulate the value,
■nd effectually prevent the selling of
wirthless or ill-bred dairy stock of any
gnd, registered or unregistered, pure
Nood or grade. If tbey have no merit
ii _n_^eTS or butter makers, they should
j°|t be offered as such by the breeder.
John B. Poyntz.
•^
Indiana Fanner Family.
Onr Portal Card Correapondeno*.
B_U_@Y   D_@M@
Owned by Charles Lowder, Crestnt Hill Farm, Pltunfteld, Indiana.
For tbe Indiana Farmer.
ILLINOIS PUBLIC SALES OF
SHORT-HORN CATTLE AT
BLOOMINGTON.
The failing health of the senior partner owning the " Forest Hill Herd" of
Short-Horn cattle made it necessary to
dispose of the entire herd consisting of
eleven bulls and bull calves and twenty-
nine females. Agreeable to announcement the sale was made at the fair
grounds at Bloomington, Illinois, on the
29th of last month. The mornins was
rainy and disagreeable for visitors and
parties who were looking with a view of
buying. Quite a good crowd were in attendance and a good deal of speculation
among speculators as what would be the
average of the sale. The stock were very
fat and nicely groomed and trained, and
everything indicated very spirited bidding. The 21st Duke of Airdrie a four
year old bull (pure Bates) bred by A. J.
Alexander was first led between the
auctioneer, Colonel J. W. Judy, and the
crowd of bidders who were seated upon the
amphitheater and offered for bids. He was
soon started at $5,000. Bids were put in
quick and fast of $1,000 each until he
had reached $10,000 at which price it
seemed like be would be sold. After
some time an additional $100 was given
and then another and then another until
$10,500 was had and he was knocked
down te General Charles E. Lippencot,
of Chandlerville, Cass county, Illinois,
at that prioe.
Many of the females had been bred to
the 21st Duke of Airdrie which added
much to the prices obtained on them.
The cows were then sold commencing
with two Loudan Duchesses which are
the same as the Miss Wiley's, all being
descended from Imp. Miss Hudson by
Hermes (8145). The sales were as below:
cows.
London Duchess llth, 3 years old, 8. ty.
Jacobs, West Liberty, Iowa $ :i,_0
London Duchess 17th. 1 year old, E. K.
Thomas, North Middletown, Kentucky 2,750
Nelly Bly Srxl, red.s years old, William
Stewart, Franklin Grove, Illinois.       _r>
Nelly Bly 4th, red, 7 yearn old, Mrs. Klmberly, West Liberty, Iowa..    1,825
Nelly Bly 5th, red, 5 years old, Thomas
Wlndle, Lincoln, Illinois    1,_5
Nelly Bly 6th, red, 5 years old, E. C. Lewis,
Ottowa, Illinois    I.ItsO
Nelly Bly 7th, red, 3 years old, 8.   W.
J80obs    I "00
Nelly Bly Sth, red, 3 years old, William
Stewart    1,130
Nelly Bly 9th, red, S years old, J. It. Con-
over.I-tersburg, Illinois      900
Nelly Bly 10th, red, 2 years old, William
Stewart _    1,825
Nelly Bly llth, red, 1 year old, Robert
Otley, Kewana, Illinois    1 000
Sausparell 23rd, red, 3 years old, W. H.
Hansen, Franklin Grove, Illinois      625
Magenta, red, 5 years old, John It. Con-
over    1,325
MagentA 2nd, red. 2 yro. old, E. C. Lewis... l,a»
Highland Lady 2nd, red. 4 years old, J. N.
Brown's Sons, Berlin, 111 _    1,905
Highland Lady 3rd, red, 1 year old, John
It. Conover    1,750
Molly Walker, red, 3 yrs. old, 8. W. Jacobs 6)0
Molly Walker 2nd, red, 1 year old, Davis
I,owman,Tonlan, 111.      225
Imp. Violet's 4th, roan, 9 years old, Mrs.
Klmberly _      1,000
Imp. Lady Highthorn,roan, 7 y«?ara old,
John K. Conover    1,000
14th Lonan of Woodlawn, red, 6 years old,
C. W.Ootr, Monmouth, 111.    1,S50
Imp. Duchess of York nth, roan, 5 years
old, Albert Cram, Durham Park, Kan.... 1,000
Lady Muscatoon, roan, 2 years old, J. C. i
Lahman, Franklin Orove, III      470
Forest Queen, red, 1 year old, Thomas
Wlndall- _ —..  _      415
Lydia 2nd, roan, 11 years old, L. w. Beck,
Galva. Ill       175
Belle of St. Louis, red, 6 years old, Albert
Cram. -      450
Blanche 8th, red, 1 year old, Alb't Cram„     300
Pride, red, 5 years «ld, Albert Cram      350
Vista, roan, 3 years old, Robert Holloway, Alexis, 11L _ - _..   1,025
29 females, overage, $1,141. IS—Aggregate...$35,190
BULLS.
21st Duke of Alrdrle, 4 years old, General
O. K. Lippencot, Chandlerville, III  10,500
Starlight, llOlH, red, fl years old, Alvan
Bronson, Ipavia, 111......      270
Major Kay, red, 2 yearn old, John R. Conover       490
Baronet Oxford, red, 1 year old, B. H. Cbarter. Jolliet, III      200
8th Dnkeof Forest Hill, red, 1 year old,
O. M. (..'iilbertson, Cliicngo, III      520
llth Dnke of Forest Hill, red, 1 year old,
II. C. KIdrldge, Galva, III      505
Bull cnlf, real and white. Robert Miller,
West Liberty, Iowa       300
Bull calf, while, John J. Itlley, Hudson,
Illinois       110
Bull culf. red, Chester Maine, Wltmlng-
. ion, Illinois _....     100
Bull calf, roan, ty. II. Beverly, Cerro
Gordo, III        75
Bull calf, red and white, James Mix.
Kankakee, 111 „      60
11 Malesaverage SI,19S—Aggregate $13,180
Total 40hcad,average $1,1511,25
Aggrcgaieof 40 head    40,370
Reported for the Farmer.
RECENT STOCK SALES.
Messrs. Pickrell and Taylor held their sale at
Decatur, 111., as advertised. The day was beautiful, the attendance large. Col. Jndy ln his
usual good style made the sale move along
quickly. Berkshire pigs and Southdown sheep
brought good prices.  Below ls the result of
3. II. PICK HELL'S SALE !
Puss Childs, 5 yix, sold to W. H. Hansen,
Franklin Grove, 111 Jt 750
Queen Childs, 1 yr. 4 mos., W. at M. Pickrell, Mechanlcsburg, 111  330
Louan Hill 4th, 4 yrs. 5 mos., Same   1,925
Louan Hill 5th, 3 yrs., K. W. Miller, Raymond, 111  2,000
Louan Hill 3d, 5 yrs. 5 mos., L. B. Wing,
Bement, 111   1,225
Lasly Bflde   3 yrs. 4   mos., Mrs. A. E.
K&nberly, West Liberty, la  2,850
Bride 15th, 1 yrs., 8. W. Jacobs, same  875
Caroline Cochrane, 3 yrs., J. II. Klsseng-
er, Clarksvllle, Mo _  1,800
Detnra, 3 yrs., J. R. Shelley, Shannon, 111. 1,100
Lady Fairy B, 3% yrs., Thomas Wlndle,
Lincoln. Ill _  600
Gloster's Pride, 2% yrs., Geo. Elliot, Harristown, 111  ~  900
Lucy Napier, '2% yrs.,S. W. Jacobs  1,450
Jubilee Napier, 2 yrs., Mrs. Klmberly  1,600
Amelia (Imp.) 6% yrs., 8. W. Jacobs  925
Flower Cherry (imp.) 6 yrs., A. Crane,
Durham Park, Kan _ 950
Princess „ b.c, 3 yrs., H. Handnfky, Indianola, 111 —  ttX>
Magnolia 6tb, 2}^ yrs., 8. W. Jacobs  325
Princess Delight, 2% yrs., ty A M Pickrell. 350
Josie 10th, 18 mos., same  500
Medora A, 1 yr., Ell Stelnson, Oshkosh...„ 700
21,655
BULLA.
Breastplate 1143]. 4 yrs., Mrs. Klmberly.... 6,100
Royal Baron 18238.1 yr., ty A M Pickrell.. 1,000
Flower Breastplate, 9 mos., Jesse A. Pickrell, Wheatfleld, 111  250
7,350
SUMMARY.
20 cows average Sl,t>a 75 $21,655.
8 bulls       " 2,450 00 7,350.
23 head      " 11,261 09—Total—$29,005.
OTHER SALES.
The following account is taken from
the Bloomington (111.) Pantograph of
Thursday, April 29th:
Yesterday the joint sale of Shorthorns
from thc herds of Messrs. Niccqlls,
Duncan, Funk, Franklin and Smith,
which has been tho subject of much
comment among stock men for somo
weeks, occurred at the fair grounds in
this city. The stock was all upon the
ground some days ago, and the weather
all that could be desired. Thc attendance was larger than was expected, every
adjoining State being represented, and
quite a largo delegation coming from
Kentucky. There was a very fair representation from adjoining counties and
of our citizens. The only noticeable
defect in tho assemblage was tho absence
of McLean county farmers, and this defect was seriously felt in the progress of
the sale.
Col. Judy, the auctioneer, announced
the conditions and began the sale at a
little after ten o'clock, and went through
the entire catalogue of one hundred and
forty head before five in the afternoon,
stopping half an hour forlunch at noon.
The binding was not exciting, but the
sale was hurried along, and we think
every dollar realized, that the people
were disposed to pay. We believe the
cattle that were raised here sold at a
profit, while those that were purchased
at other sales, were, in the aggregate,
sold at a loss. This lesson is valuable
to those who contemplate engaging in the
business. It is certainly better to be a
breeder than a dealer.
Mr. Niccolls sold sixty-three cattle
for an average of $368. Mr. Funk sold
thirty for an average of $445.50. Mr.
Smith sold fifteen for an average of
$26466. Mr. Franklin sold fourteen
head at an average of $25!); and Mr.
Duncan sold five at an average of $257.
The entire sale foots up $45,230.
The Poland-China.
T. M. Taylor's Sale.
cows.
Oxford Dnchefs A b.  c., 6 yrs., Thomas
Wlndle, Lincoln, 111 111,000
Louan 4th, 5 yrs.,0. E. Lippincot, Cband-
leniville.lll        950
Caroline Empress, IS mos., W. * M. Pickrell, Mechanlcsburir, 111 _„      875
Louan 6th, 3 yrs., E. W. Miller, Raymond.   1,450
Josie 9th, 18 mos.,H H Price, Oskaloosa,Ia     400
Rosa Fletcher, 13mos., E. ty. Miller      525
Geneva Lass. 1 yr.,  Robert Miller West
Liberty, Ia _.     300
Red  Rose, 15 mos., A. Crane, Durham
Park, Kas - •• -.     3O0
Miss Butterfly, 4 yrs.. J. V. Hartver, Denver, 111 -      265
Hattlc Lee, 3 yrs.. Same...      255
•Rosa _ee,5yrs., K. P.Johnson, Red Oak,
Iow»..._       275
Pearl, 15 mos.. Same      175
Jennie  O'Gaunt, S yrs., W. II. Beverly,
Cerro Oordo.Ill - -      160
Valeria,! yr.,8ame       175
Total—14 cows. $8/505
BULL8.
Dnke of Linwood 15859,2 yrs-E P Johnson
British Oxford, 18 mos., A. Crane.	
Duke of Macon, 9 mos., Jno. Hlmore,
Rochester. 111..- ■■ ■"■—- 	
Tone Wonder, 18 root.., Jno. Booty      105
810
100
310
Total—4 bulls
$825
SUMMARY.
14 cows average H71 79-
4 bnlls
18 head
206&-
412 78-
-ie,«_
-    82S.
-n,*3».
CM.
It is pretty generally known that D.
M. Magie, of Butler county, Ohio, was
thc original breeder of what is now generally known as the Poland-China hog.
This valuable breed for many years took
the name of Magie, and are known to
many now by that name. For good
reasons, however, leading breeders have
by coamon consent accepted the name,
Poland-China. On this subject, Mr.
Magie writes as follows:
"The question is frequently asked:
• What makes or constitute the Magie
hogs?' They were produced from four
pure and distinct breeds of hogs, three
of which were imported, namely:
Poland, Big Spotted China, Big Irish
Grazier, and Byfield. The Magie hog is
of fine bone, but large size, combining,
more eminently than any other, the
excellencies of both large and small
breeds, being docile, very good feeders,
breeders and sucklers, fattening readily
at _ any age, and yet attaining great
weight at maturity. They sometimes
dress 350 pounds, at from ten to twelve
months old; from eighteen to twenty
months old, 500 to 600 pounds; at full
growth I have had them to dress 800 to
936 pounds. The Magie hogs have long
bodies, short legs, broad, straight back,
deep sides, with square, heavy hams and
shoulders, drooping ears, and are of fine
style generally. —Iowa Fine Stock Gazette.
"Cure for Toothache.—It is said
that drops prepared as follows will cure
the worst toothache ever known: Ono
ounce of alcohol, two drams cayenne
pepper, one ounce kerosene oil; let it
stand twenty-four hours after mixing.
,_ KNOX COUNTY.
The cold weather has killed abont half of the
wheat.
DEARBORN COUNTY.
Wheat and barley frozen out; fruit all killed.
C. Schott.
PREMIUM NO. 8.
Bainbricqe, April _th 1875.
My sheep  ls received all right.   Am well
pleased with lt. Robert N. Phi est.
PERRY COUNTY.
Crops are very backward.   Wheat ls almost a
failure; corn i8 60 to 70 cents per bushel; oatsW
cents; wbeat $1.00; potatoes from one to two
dollars. B. M. B.
BUTLER COUNTY. OHIO.
Wheat looks very bad ln this vicinity; there
will not be half a crop; fruit of all kinds ls
killed. J. II.
SHELBY COUNTY.
Apples, cherries, goosberrles and currant-
all killed, wheat badly frost-bitten; plenty of
hog-cholera and poor cattle. W.S. G.
HANCOCK COUNTY.
The wheat ln this section of the country was
badly Injured by the late cold spell, but lt ls
hoped that a good rain will very  favorably
eflcct lt. ty. P. Smith.   |
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY.
Fruit all killed; wheat on prairie almost a
total failure, but there will be a pretty good
wheatcrop ln the timbered regions where lt
was protected from severe weather. This
northern part of the county ls a beautiful
country, adapted to all kinds of crops.
Tnoa. Ross.
POJEY COUNTY.:
Wheat looks well ln some localities, but bad
ln others; spring ls backward; fruit all killed
by the late freeze; stock hogs scarce and high;
corn selling at 70 and 75 cents; wheat from $1.00
to $1.12%; Grangers numerous and Increasing.
Farmer a welcome visitor. A. J. A.
C0RR0LL COUNTY.
Spring has come again; weather dry; and
wheat badly damaged, will not be over half a
crcp; farmers very, busy preoarlng for their
spring planting. The Farmer Is a welcome
visitor; patrons almost all take lt. H. M. B.
PORTER COUNTY. '
The late cold snap has killed a good share of
the fruit; wheat all killed; potatoes mostly
frozen; oats sown, and plowing for corn; ln
consequence of the wheat being killed a large
breadth of corn will be planted; plenty of land
Idle for want of hands and teams to cultivate it; ground dry; stock poor.
B. R. Johnson.
WASHINGTON  COUNTY.
Our peaches, early apples, and fruit generally
was killed by thc cold weather of last month.
Btock hogs and sheep scarce; cattle tolerably
plenty; feed ls scarce. I see by a communication that Mr. G. F. Lewis never falls to raise
good potatoes. I would be glad to hear whether the bugs effect his crops, how he succeeds.
He plants from 26th of May to the 20th of June,
he says. I never could raise potatoes planted
that late. Thomas Grvks.
PUTNAM COUNTY.
Very ajold damp weather; farmers have
planted but little corn; they think lt best to
wait till the weather ls warmer before planting.
Wheat looks discouraging; think the last
cold spell killed considerable wheat. Farmers
have turned stock on grass.    II. II. Dunlay.
ANOTHER.
Wheat has not been killed ln this part or the
country, nor Indeed does lt seem, now after a
few days for rallying, to be seriously Injured.
Pastures rather short, yet stock appears to be
doing well. Potatoes and other vegetables
planted weeks ago are not doing any good.
We may have to take lessons ln the primitive
method of food furnished during the coming
year.  If so, let us be contented, J. T. D.
DECATUR COUNTY.
Wheat looks very bad on account of recent
freezing and dry weather; young clover and
grosses of all kinds ln same condition; peaches and cherries all killed, and apples very
nearly finished, except a few of the very-
latest varieties. Considerable corn will be
planted this week; not much old on hand;
grangers very much pleased with their
purchases of agricultural Implements this
spring. G. M. Ovebleese
WELLS COUNTY,
The spring ls cold and backward; wheat
badly killed, It ls worth 95 cents per bushel;
corn 60 cents; fruit Is badly Injured by the cold
spring; there Is not much plowing done yet,
the ground being too wet; grangers are plenty
ln the country; the Indiana Farmer is a
welcome visitor In every family that takes lt.
Granger.
DeKALB COUNTY.
Sprlngcame on late; have had a few pleasant
days; but little plowing done for oats, and none
for other crops. Wheat came np rather poorly
last fall on account of the drouth, but the
winter and spring has been favorable for It,
bees winter killed badly. Wheat $1.10 to 1.15;
corn 70 cents; oats 55 cents; potatoes $1.00; hogs
6cents; hay 510.00 to S12.00; cold and raining
to day. Miles Waterman.
HENRY COUNTY.
Fruit of all kinds Killed. Peach trees all
destroyed by cold. Wheat cannot be half a
crop; prices are advancing, now worth $1.20.
Corn, 60 c; potatoes, $1.25. Weather very cold
for the season; solid Ice every morning this
week. Ground quite dry. Farmers are tired
of feeding, but will have to rest and feed again
before grass ls plenty. Dow, Jr.
WABASH COUNTY.
Wheat badly killed, and especially on our
black loam lands lt Is all dead. Fruit ls thought
to be nearly all killed, and the peach trees
are considerably frozen. Cattle are ln fair demand, coming through the winter tolerably
well. Hogs are scarce and high, worth 1% cts.
The weather ls dry and cold, we have a very
backward spring. Breaking for com Is progressing finely. O. W. C.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.
Wheat principally all sown. Some ground
which was Intended for small grain will have
to be put ln corn on account ol the scarcity of
seed. How to get feed Is the loudest cry, but
stock are beginning to graze considerably on
the pasture lands, to tnat trouble will soon be
over. Some corn has been planted within the
past few days. It ls said the grasshoppers can
be seen flying ln the air, but my eyes have
failed to behold tbem yet.   W_. M. Rollins.
TOLLAND COUNTY, CONN.
We've advanced backwards; the promise of
warm weather was dispelled by a return of
severe cold with snow, fortunately fruit buds
were not sufficiently developed to be Injured,
according to present Indications. No farm
work ls yet done, nor will probably be for a
week to come which will necessitate a crowding of labor. Stock ls high; good native cows
S601o$80; oxen $175 to $200. Hay is advancing
ln consequence of the backwardness of the
season. w. H. Y.
PIKE COUNTY.
Yesterday was very flne; to-day cold and
wet; spring very backward; some corn planted; wheat looks very bad, nearly all frozen
out; pasture very short and feed high; there
will be a considerable quantity of fruit here
yet; peach and apple bloom fresh and green.
Wheat $1,00; corn 50 cents; oats 50 cents; beef
cattle 4 to 6 cents; hogs 6 cents, and very scarce;
grangers on the increase; our council meets the
lost Saturday ln May, when we expect to organ
lze a Pomona grange, also a stock company to
run the agricultural and hardware business.
Farmer a welcome visitor.    D. Dotv, Agent
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
In a former postal card I was made to say
that the thermometer was down to 16 degrees
below zero. It was only 13 degrees below. I
fear the past winter has done mnch more
lnfary than we can now plainly see. By examining the upper roots of the peach, I find some
are dead, and a few that all are frozen. The
ground was too bare and the cold too Intense
In the nursery I And the dwarf pear roots
very badly Injured, and I fear many three
year-olds killed.
This last cold spell the thermometer was
down to 18 degrees. Have not found one good
blossom on the apple, pear, peach or cherry.
The wild goose plumb and the damson plum
show a prospect of fruit. The quince wood ls
badly frozen by the late cold spell. The grape
buds nearly all killed, some roots badly frozen
last winter. Strawberries where not covered
last winter froze out. Klttatinlny blackberries
all right. J. Bower.
Reported for the Indiana Farmer.
THE WHEAT CE0P &c.
Urbana, Ohio.—The wheat crop in
this section will be much less than last
year.   Prices have advanced.
Lincoln, Neb.—Wheat crop promises
fine.   Late rains done much good.
Kalamazoo, Mien.—The prospect is
fair thus far, with few exceptions, for a
good wheat crop.   Fruit killed.
Lexington, Mo.—Late frosts did not
hurt the wheat crop here, not much
sown. There will not be half a crop in
the north part of the State.
Topeka, Kas.—The cold rains and
frost are killing the grasshoppers. Wheat
looks well.
Madison, Wis.—Have had much cold
weather of late, but it is thought the
crops are not much damaged.
Jackson, Miss.—The spring has been
quite cool but there will be a good crop
of peaches.   Crops thus far look well.
Little Rock, Ark.—The winter and
spring have   been   exceptionally  cool.
spri
\Vh
Wheat and other spring grain looks
well. Will have plenty of peaches and
grapes.
Bloomington, III. — Wheat not
promising well, and fruit generally killed.
The weather has been quite cold.
Marshall, Iowa.—Winter wheat is
killed, and the grasses were much injured by the cold weather of winter.
Fruit much damaged by late cold weather. 	
SALT AND  CHINCH BUGS.
A writer from Kansas to the Rural
says:
One man showed me two pieces ef
wheat, one of which was hardly worth
cutting, while the other, right along side
of it, was as good as could be desired.
He said the only reason he could give
for it was that previous to sowing the
latter piece he soaked the seed in strong
brine to get oats out of it, and as the
bugs commenced working at the roots
they had been kept off by tbe little saline matter that adhered to the grain.
Another man said he had five acres of
spring wheat that the bugs were working
on very badly and thqusht he would
risk a barrel of salt on it at least. He
sowed   the  salt   broadcast    over    the
f round, and in a few days' time not a
ug could be seen, and his wheat came
on and made a great deal better crop by
the application of the salt, than it would
have made even though the bugs had
kept away. Other''ideas" were put into execution, but with no goodjresnlt.
I have said that I noticed the ravages
of the bugs everywhere I went.but'I will
except the salt district of the Smoky
Hill valley, where their presence was
hardly, if at all, perceptible.
Taking all these things into consideration, it seems to me to be avery rational'
conclusion that salt will either   kill or.
drive the chinch bugs away from   crops'
on which it is applied.
ar
. f
aa*.^
W$-±