SHOW OF THE QUEENS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.-ETC.

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Mr. Charles Henry Hall said that he could not play. Mr. Wm. H. Schermerhorn contributed a concur in the opinion expressed in the report of Dr. plate of new seedling peaches, very large and fine. Underhill that the foreign grape is totally unsuited They much resembled the Late Crawford, but are to the climate of the United States; for, it was his less elongated in shape. He has given them the belief that, with proper culture, in chosen localities, name of the Rose Hill, from his residence, where it could be brought to perfection. He could not they originated. We are not much of a connoisseur speak positively, however, on this point, but ex-in domestic fabrics, but could not help noticing a pressed a desire that the Chairman should give what curious counterpane, made by Mrs. Jesse Brown, of information he possessed in relation to the subject, 6,722 pieces! and a beautiful knit bed-spread, by upon which General Dearborn rose and said that, the ingenious Mrs. Jander. Other curiosities there in early life, he attempted to cultivate the European were in abundance, but we have not space to mengrape in the open air, in Massachusetts, by high tion them. Among the stock present we counted manuring, pruning, smoking, &c., but could not 37 yoke of superb working oxen, made up, we besucceed in obtaining good fruit. He stated that, lieve, from the town of Flushing alone. This was when his father was Minister, near Lisbon, he just the same number as was exhibited in Auburn, caused a selection of some cuttings of the choicest at the late State Show, and they would compare varieties of grapes to be made there, by an experi- favorably with them in appearance. The other enced vine-dresser, with minute directions for their animals present were respectable. Perhaps the culture and management, which were sent home most attractive after the big team, were a pair of and planted in his garden near Boston, and after beautiful Shetland ponies in harness, about the size nurturing them with seven years' excessive care, of stout Newfoundland dogs. no grapes were produced, and_at last he dug them up and threw them away. From personal observation, and long intercourse with persons from different parts of the Union, he unequivocally expressed it as his opinion that the foreign grape will not thrive in this country in the open air.

Adjournment.-Mr. Robert Lawrence of New York, moved that this Convention be adjourned to the next Annual Fair of the American Institute, at such time and place as the managers may designate, which was adopted.

SHOW OF THE QUEENS COUNTY AGRI-
CULTURAL SOCIETY.

Upon the whole the Queens County Show went off well. It was attended by several thousands of both sexes, and seemed to give general satisfaction. This Society is one of the most spirited and flourishing in the State. We are under obligations to its gentlemanly officers for their polite attention to us while on the ground, and close our brief notice, by wishing them well through their arduous duties, and as good a show next year.

THE PROPER TIME FOR CUTTING TIMBER.

NINE-TENTHS of the community think winter the time for this purpose, but the reason assigned, "that the sap is then in the roots," shows its THIS was held on the 9th of last month, at futility, as it is evident to the most superficial obFlushing, and certainly was one of the most agree-server that there is nearly the same quantity of sap able meetings we ever attended. It was made the in the tree at all seasons. It is less active in winmore attractive by the plowing and spading matches ter, and like all other moisture, is congealed during of the American Institute, being arranged to come the coldest weather; yet when not absolutely off at the same time, near the show-ground. A de- frozen, circulation is never entirely stopped in the lightful hour's sail up the East River into Flushing living tree. Reason or philosophy would seem to Bay, brought us to the town, where we found thou- indicate that the period of the maturity of the leaf, sands of ladies and gentlemen already assembled or from the last of June to the first of November, is there, and enjoying the festivities of the occasion. the season for cutting timber in its perfection. CerThe show-ground was located in the heart of tain it is, that we have numerous examples of tim the village, near the Friends' Meeting House, and ber cut within this period, which has exhibited a was ample and commodious. It was well fenced durability twice or three times as great as that cut in, and all around the different kinds of stock were in winter, when placed under precisely the same arranged, and showed to great advantage. In the circumstances. After it is felled, it should at once centre of the ground a magnificent tent of 80 to 100 be peeled, drawn from the woods, and elevated feet diameter was pitched, and within this was from the ground to facilitate drying; and if it is inarranged a great variety of the flowers, fruits, vege- tended to be used under cover, the sooner it is put tables, and seeds, of the season. In the centre of there the better. Wood designed for fuel, will the tent stood the Temple of Flora. This was spend much better when cut as above mentioned really one of the most beautiful and tastefully and immediately housed, but as this is generally inexecuted things we ever saw. It was the handi-convenient from the labor of the farm being then rework of the fair ladies of Flushing, and did them quired for the harvesting of the crops, it may be great credit. Thousands of choice flowers were more economical to cut it whenever there is most culled to adorn the Temple, principally from the leisure.-Allen's American Agriculture. gardens of Messrs. Winter & Co. But Flushing is

a town of flowers, and many of the private gardens TRAVELLING AGENCY.-Mr. J. Vanderbilt, Jr., contributed to form the Temple, and the pretty is now travelling in the Southern States, as agent pyramids and bouquets which surrounded it. We for our Agricultural Warehouse in this city; also doubt whether this show of flowers has ever been for the American Agriculturist. All moneys paid excelled in the United States. The dahlias particu- to him on our account we guarantee shall be prolarly were very abundant and perfect. Of the perly applied, and all orders given through him will fruits, Messrs. Prince & Co. made the largest dis- be faithfully and promptly executed by us.

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THE ALPACA. NO. 6.-SAUSAGE STUffer.

THE ALPACA.-No. 6.

I

time I had it, though repeatedly offered drink. Introduction of the Alpaca into Europe.-The fed it upon bran, oats, carrots, and hay; occasiongreatest number of llamas that were ever carried to ally in the season with a little green tares. Its wool Europe at one time, was a herd that arrived at was about eighteen inches long, mixed with some Cadiz, in 1808. It originally consisted of thirty-six trifling portions of hair. It was remarkably tame, I have since had seveindividuals, including the sorts called llamas, and I may say affectionate.

alpacas, and vicuñas. They were brought from ral others of various colors, some quite black, Lima, in Peru, and Concepcion, in Chili, to Buenos and others piebald, &c. Having had them so often, Ayres, by slow journeys of two or three leagues. I let them take their chance in the stalls, giving They were fed on the road with potatoes, maize, them the opportunity of running into a paddock, and hay; but when their supply of potatoes was and they always did well. The last pair I had exhausted they became so constipated, that it was were perfectly black, and I sold them to Mr. Advenecessary to afford them medical relief. Eleven nant, who immediately took them over to the King only of the number arrived at Cadiz, of which two of Bavaria. The late King of Wirtemburg, and died there. These animals were carried to Europe other continental monarchs, also had some of me. as a present from Godoy (Prince of Peace), to the think they might be introduced into some parts of Empress Josephine; but they arrived just at the this country with great advantage, particularly in period of his disgrace, at the commencement of the the hilly parts of Scotland and Ireland, where they Spanish Revolution; and the populace, in hatred of could have an opportunity of browsing as well as their late minister, were about to throw the llamas grazing. Occasionally they will breed with the into the sea. The governor of Cadiz, however, llama; and a more elegant animal than the offspring rescued them; and they were given in charge to an cannot be imagined, but whether the latter will eminent Spaniard, Don Francisco de Theran, who breed again, I cannot say."

had a fine zoological garden at San Lucar de BarraAbout the time Mr. Cross was exhibiting his inméda, in Andalusia. The French armies having teresting specimen, the late Duchess of York had subsequently traversed this province, Marshal four or five llama and alpaca pets at Oatlands, Soult took the llamas under his care; and Monsieur where she took great delight in watching their Bory de Saint Vincent, a distinguished French sportive antics on the lawn, or contemplating their naturalist, who accompanied the army, studied their intelligent and expressive countenances, greatly rehabits with great attention, and made some draw-sembling that of the gazelle. They ran the chance ings of them, which were afterwards lost at the of all exotics, whether animal or vegetable; left to battle of Vittoria. He paid particular attention to the quality of their wool, and transmitted some specimens of each sort to the Academy of Sciences, at Paris. It appears from the report of M. de Saint Vincent and Don Francisco de Theran, that the fleece of the alpa-vigonia (the cross between the vicuña and the alpaca) is much longer and six times heavier, than that of any other variety.

The first account of this interesting race of quadrupeds as having been introduced into Britain, was that of the beautiful white and brown female alpaca exhibited by Mr. Cross, in the Surrey Zoological Gardens, from 1810 to 1816, and is noticed and figured in page 217 of the present volume. In a letter to Mr. Walton, dated May 2d, 1843, Mr. Cross gives the result of his experience in regard to this animal in the following words :

the care of servants who, when the master and the mistress are away, usually treat them as mere matters of course, and often with a strong feeling of prejudice. When the Duchess died, these pets necessarily were dispersed; and, in all probability, at that early period breeding with them was deemed an impracticability. They, however, lived long enough at Oatlands to render it apparent that they are of a hardy race, although the old and plainspoken park-keeper has more than once been heard to say, that, while under his charge, they were not in their proper element, the grass being too firmmeaning too rich and good.

SAUSAGE STUFFER.

SAUSAGE STUFFER.-FIG. 78.

"As you are desirous of having the result of my observations relative to the alpacas which have fallen under my notice, I beg to say that the first one brought to this country came into my possession after being for two years in that of Mr. De Tastet, of Halshead, in Essex, who exchanged it with -Tharpe, Esq., of Chippenham Park, near Newmarket, for a pair of magnificent coach-horses. The latter gentleman kept it for about two years, in the hope that one might arrive from Peru of a dif- THIS ingenious contrivance will save the labor ferent sex, as he was anxious to breed from them in of eight or ten persons in filling sausages, and the consequence of the fineness of their wool. Disap-work is performed with the greatest facility, and in pointed in his object, I bought it of him for one the most perfect manner. To those who have only hundred guineas, and exhibited it about six years; a few sausages to make, this machine is certainly consequently it must have been eleven or twelve worthy of attention. Price $4.50 to $5. years old when it died.

"It was fonder of browsing than grazing. One remarkable fact I cannot help mentioning, and that work so as to send your boys to school Do not forget to arrange your fall and winter's Be kind

is, that it never drank anything during the whole to your flocks, and remember the poor.

BRITISH AND IRISH FLAX CULTURE. NO. 1.

335

merit as regarded its mechanical arrangement, the machine has not been found of greater practical utility than that of Mr. Lee." But this branch of national industry may not be said to have been Norfolk Flax Society, the first annual meeting of which was held on the 6th of January, 1843. The objects of this association are

Firstly. By a partial alteration of the rotation of crops to increase the annual profits of the cultivators of the soil.

BRITISH AND IRISH FLAX CULTURE.-No. 1. History.--The cultivation of flax has engaged the attention of mankind from the earliest ages, in almost every part of the globe; and has continued, to the present time, a source of profit to the culti-thoroughly established before the formation of the vator, and of employment to the people. Several lively allusions occur in the Sacred Scriptures. "The flax and the barley was smitten; for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. But the wheat and the rye were not smitten, for they were not grown up." From this simple statement we discover the accuracy of the Mosaic account, for in England also flax ripens before wheat. Rahab hid the spies with the stalks of flax that were laid in order on the roof of her house. Now as a nice regard is paid to the order in which flax is laid to dry at the present time preparatory to scutching and spinning, doubtless hers was placed upon the roof for similar purposes. Many cottiers in Ireland grow small patches of flax in their gardens, which they prepare and spin for their own private uses.

Secondly.-By the introduction of flax, the culture of which affords considerable employment to women and children, to add to the scanty earnings of the agricultural laborer.

The third object we have in view is to open a new source of employment for the manufacturers of the city of Norwich, and thus to relieve the distress so prevalent among the industriously-disposed poor of that ancient city.

On the 3d of November, 1843, a National Flax Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and and Agricultural Improvement Association was linen yarn; the king's merchants received the linen also formed at Ipswich, for the purpose of affording yarn at a price. Job complained that his days instruction and assistance in the cultivation of flax, were swifter than a weaver's shuttle. From these the use of the seed to fatten cattle, box-feeding, quotations we learn that flax was cultivated, pre-summer-grazing, &c., &c.; on which occasion pared, spun into yarn, woven into linen, and consi- many specimens of flax and linseed of superior dered an important article of merchandize in those quality were exhibited from various counties, provremote ages. Indeed, fine linen is frequently men- ing that the soil and climate of Great Britain and tioned amongst the ornaments of the Temple at Ireland are peculiarly adapted to the culture of Jerusalem. 66 The Egyptians," says Belzoni, the plant. "were certainly well acquainted with linen manuFrom a series of experiments made during the factures equal to our own, for in many of their past four years, and now in extensive operation, figures we observe their garments quite transparent, particularly in Norfolk, it has been incontestaand among the foldings of the mummies he observ- bly proved that a compound of flax-seed, with ed some cloth quite as fine as our common muslin, grain, pulse, or chaff, for fattening cattle, is far suvery strong, and of an even texture," which proves perior to foreign oil-cake; and if used in connecthat their manufactures must have arrived at a tion with box-feeding and summer-grazing, will great degree of excellence. Pliny describes the enable every farmer in Great Britain to fatten more different qualities of flax respectively produced by than double his usual number of stock, and render each country, with a particularity which argues him forever independent of foreign aid, both for that the manufacture of linen was already become food for his cattle and manure for his land. an important branch of commerce to many nations. Hence it will readily be seen that a more abundant Flax was first introduced into England by the supply of grain, meat, wool, leather, tallow, oil, Romans. In 1175 it was classed amongst all tithe-flax, and hemp, &c., &c., must be produced, and the able productions. In 1531 a statute was enacted, merchant, the tradesman, the artisan, and the laborrequiring that, under certain penalties, "for every er, reap proportionable benefits with the cultivators sixty acres of land fit for tillage, one rood should be of the soil. sown with flax and hemp-seed." From that period to 1767 many unsuceessful attempts were made to extend and improve the cultivation and preparation of flax. In the latter year several thousand pounds were proposed to be divided amongst the successful cultivators of the plant. About the year 1798 a bounty of 4d. per stone was given to claimants for Three years since, the quantity of Irish flax grown the growth of flax. "In 1810 a new method of was computed to be about 25,000 tons. The indressing flax was proposed by Mr. Lee, who not crease of value upon this amount effected through only patented the invention, but obtained an act of the exertions of the Society was, at the least, taking Parliament by which the specification of his inven- a general average, £10 per cent., which would gain tion was ordered to be deposited in the Court of a sum of £250,000 additional in circulation among Chancery, to be kept secret from the public for 15 our farmers. But, my Lord Erne, it is now undermonths, and then to be produced only by order of stood by calculations, there will be fully 14,200 the Lord Chancellor, and by him to be examined tons of flax more in the markets this season than whenever occasion required. . . . . . Messrs. Hill there was three years since, which, at the low rate of and Bundy, in the year 1817, likewise patented an £45 a ton value, would give the sum of £643,050; ingenious machine for breaking and rubbing flax ; and this, added to the above additional value, makes but though this was said to have considerable it clearly appear that fully a million of money

At the Annual Meeting of the Tenants of the Earl of Erne's Estate in Ireland, Capt. Skinner, the benevolent and zealous Secretary of the Irish Flax Improvement Society, addressed the meeting; from whose speech we take the following brief and important extract :

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THE MOSS ROSE.

kindly taken as models for you. The beetling one will save you much labor, and no mill can do its work so well-the rippling combs, I hope also to hear will be in great use next season, even if you can afford to throw away the bolls of your flax, It should be done at the then take them off, as no flax can be properly handled with them on.

time of pulling, or if the flax is dried and stacked, then they must be threshed out carefully like grain, but without untying the beets.-Condensed from Warnes' Treatise.

THE MOSS ROSE.

above the usual expenditure will be retained in the country and expended in the home market this season, contributing thus to the welfare of the community at large. But to prove, my Lord, that this calculation is not fallacious, we have positive corroboration of the fact, by taking the official return of imports of foreign flax for the last four years, which shows a gradual decrease, and in a ratio commensurate with the Society's successful exertions to increase the growth and promote its better preparation at home. It was stated before a committee of the House of Commons in 1840, that the amount of the importation of foreign flax from THE MOSS Rose (Rosa centifolia muscosa), or all the Continent furnishing into Great Britain, was 80,000 tons; in 1841 it was much under this Mossy Provence Rose, is most probably an acciamount; in 1842 it was in round numbers but dental sport or seminal variety of the common ProHere we have vence Rose, as the Old Double Provence Rose, 67,000; and in 1843, 55,000 tons. facts substantiating the former views that we are which was introduced to England from Holland in gradually becoming more independent of the 1596, is the only one mentioned by early writers foreign supply; and I can affirm on the experience on gardening. If it had any claims to be ranked of the past and practical knowledge acquired by an as a botanical species, the single-flowering Moss agriculturist abroad and at home, that no reason Rose would most probably have been the first exists whatever why the whole quantity of the raw known and described; but the single moss, as commaterial required to keep our manufactories in full pared with the double, is a new variety. The year employment, may not be produced at home, both in 1724 is recorded by botanists as the date of its introquantity and quality, and thus the great drain of duction, or rather of its being first noticed in Europe, wealth, the purchasing of it from foreign countries and Miller mentions it in 1727. Some few years (countries, too, with whom we have no reciprocal since a traveller in Portugal mentioned that the transactions), may be checked and circulated at Moss Rose grew wild in the neighborhood of home to the enrichment of our farmers, and weal Cintra; but most likely the plants were stragglers of Ireland. Let there be, therefore, no cessation of from some garden, as I have never seen this asserexertion to raise the supply required, and be assur- tion properly authenticated. The origin of the ed that we have both the climate and the soil to Double Moss Rose, like that of the Old Double grow it to any perfection, if but due skill and atten-Yellow Rose (Rosa sulphurea), is therefore left to tion are given to it. But look at these specimens conjecture; for gardeners in those days did not of flax, and those beautiful fabrics which I brought publish to the world the result of their operations with me, as samples of what the Irish farmer can and discoveries. As regards the Moss Rose this is produce, and the Irish weaver can turn out. No a subject of regret, for it would be very interesting country in the world can surpass them. This linen to know how and where this general favorite Probably, when first noticed, gardenof 28vo, was woven near Lisburn, and this cambric originated. at Lurgan--the prize pieces were even finer. The ing was of such small consideration, that the dislinen that obtained the medal of the Royal Agricul- covery of a rose, however remarkable, would not tural Society was 30vo, and will be presented to be thought worth registering. That it is merely an her Majesty. At the recommendation of the Flax accidental sport of the common Provence Rose is Committee, the Royal Agricultural Society gave strengthened by the fact, that plants produced by premiums for yarns at their late meeting, the object the seed of the Moss Rose do not always show of which was to try if the description of yarn made moss; perhaps not more than two plants out of use of in the manufacturing of cambrics could not three will be mossy, as has been often proved. be furnished at home. It is of a quality the mill- Those that are not so are most evidently pure Prospinning cannot produce, and some £30,000 worth vence Roses, possessing all their characters. To has now to be imported annually for the cambric show, also, the singular propensity of the varieties factories at Lurgan, Warringstown, and elsewhere, of Rosa centifolia to vary, I may here mention that that are so successfully competing with and exclud- the common Moss Rose often produces shoots ening the French and other foreign countries from the tirely destitute of moss. Mr. Rivers makes mention English market. The result was most gratifying. of his having observed a luxuriant branch of the Some forty specimens of spinning on the old system Crimson or Damask, which is generally more were sent in, and the lowest number of them was mossy than the Old Moss Rose, that presented a 23 hanks to the lb., and up so high as 41 hanks. remarkable appearance, being almost smooth. The Now from 16 to 30 hanks to the lb. is what is re-next season it had entirely lost its moss, and had quired, and if the count could be depended upon, produced semi-double flowers, the exact resemand quality be equal, 40 hanks at any time would find a good market, and the poor industrious woman make the value for her husband's fine flax of a lb. not worth 6d., amount to 20s. or 30s. New resources are thus opening out for our people, and those of this fine country becoming daily further developed. In conclusion, I would just direct attention to these flax machines which Lord Erne has

blance of the Scarlet Provence. The White Moss is another instance of this singular quality, for that originated from a sporting branch; the Mossy de Meaux is also a curious deviation, and the Crested Moss or Provence, is another case in point. It seems, therefore, very feasible, that the Provence Rose, from being cultivated in Italy through so many ages, produced from seed, or more probably

PRESERVATION OF POTATOES.-BURRALL'S CORN-SHELLER.

from a sporting branch, the Double Moss Rose, that is, a Double Cabbage or Provence Rose, covered with that glandular excrescence which we term moss; this brancher plant was propagated, and the variety handed down to us, perhaps as much or more admired in the present day as when first discovered. These Roses always have been, and I hope always will be, favorites; for what can be more elegant than the bud of the Moss Rose, with its pure rose-color, peeping through that beautiful and unique envelope?

337

in a warm kitchen closet, and were found to be perfectly good. If the potatoes, instead of being removed in five days, are continued in the ammoniacal water for three weeks, the potato becomes tough and shrivelled while in the liquor, and, when dried by exposure to the air, assumes quite a new form; it appears consolidated, and its qualities are greatly lost, for on boiling it assumes the appearance of sago, or starch, yet still firm, and retaining its form; if used in the dry and uncooked state it has a mealy flavor, and the properties of grain. There is no The assertion advanced by some writers that this chemical change effected in the potato, but merely Rose, when cultivated in Italy, "loses its mossi-a mechanical consolidation and extraction of moisness almost immediately, through the influence of climate," is puerile, when the fact is so well known to us that it retains this distinctive character at New Orleans, and at other localities far exceeding Italy in an approach to a tropical climate.

ture; for precisely the same effect may be produced by immersing potatoes in a strong solution of salt and water, taking care to remove by subsequent ablution the whole of the salt, and this requires some time, and repeated changes of water.- Edinburgh Journal of Agriculture.

BURRALL'S CORN-SHELLER.

Ir potatoes are immersed for four or five days in ammoniated water, containing an ounce of the common liquor ammoniæ to a pint of water, they will, on removal, be found to have their vegetative principle greatly checked, or altogether destroyed, so that they may be preserved throughout the year without the least deterioration of their general qualities. The temporary action of the ammonia in no way affects the potato beyond that of destroying its power of growth; if, however, any change is produced, it is rather beneficial than otherwise, somewhat improving the appearance and flavor of BURRALL'S CORN-SHELLER.-FIG. 79 inferior potatoes, and giving them a mealiness they THIS truly labor-saving machine is constructed of did not possess. The transient nature of the appli- various sizes, and is made entirely of iron. The cation removes any suspicion of injury from the upper part consists of a strong chamber or box, in material employed, and it is all lost by evaporation, which revolves a short cylinder or disk armed with so that not a trace remains behind; nor could the numerous teeth, as is also a portion of the inner most fastidious ever detect that the potatoes had surface of the box. The ears of corn are dropped been immersed in ammonia, so volatile is its nature, by hand or otherwise, into the opening, a, and so perfect its escape. The exportation of potatoes when the cylinder is set in motion by means of a to foreign climates, chiefly within the tropics, is an crank or other power, the cob comes out at c, and object of importance; and for the comfort of sailors the corn falls through a hole at b, perfectly shelled. there is nothing in the way of diet greater than the A man and boy can shell five bushels in an hour, luxury of a potato with their salt food. As a and if a steam or horse-power be applied, with promeans of prolonging their enjoyments, and adding per fixtures for feeding in the corn, 100 bushels to the healthful diet of a sea life, this mode may be may be shelled in a day! We strongly recommend adopted with advantage. The expense of immer- this machine to farmers, notwithstanding its cost, as sion is very trifling, and they subsequently require an improvement in every respect over the common to be spread in an airy situation to dry. Potatoes mode of shelling corn with a frying-pan or fire. so treated, have been used after ten months' keeping shovel, by hand. Price $10 to $12.