Mr. Archer complains of the impossibility of getting the dog law of 1860 enforced. Does he not know that the legislature of 1862 abrogated that statute and passed a dog law which can be easily enforced, and which is equally as effectual in preventing "the frequent depredations of miserable dogs" as the law of 1860 could be, had it been universally enforced? If he does not, I think he should look up these things and see if the fault does not lie, in part, at least, at his own door, before he murmurs too much about the laws of the land, and the proceedings of the legislature. Nor can farmers expect to receive the full benefit of the laws so long as they leave the entire control of the town elections in the hands of a few office seekers who care for the interests of no one in particular but themselves. It is a lamentable fact that many substantial farmers pride themselves upon meddling so little in politics as scarcely ever to take the trouble of voting. without any serious difficulty, enforce the dog Some stood out about THE FRENCH MERINO SHEEP.-The Rambouillet flock of sheep was formed in 1786, by Louis XVI, with the finest Merino specimens, chosen in the most renowned sheep-folds of Spain-in other words, among the Leonese breeds, principally that of Cavagne and Negrete. The animals comprising the flock were originally small, as are also the Merinoes of Saxony, which are drawn from the same sourcBut let them awake to a realizing sense of But under the mode of treatment followed their own obligations; attend the town meet- at the Rambouillet sheep-fold, the flock, while ings, and see to it that our town offices are fill-preserving an absolute purity, and propagating ed by men who possess sufficient executive ability to see that the laws are lived up to in their respective towns, and we shall hear no more of the impossibility of enforcing the dog law. A few resolute, energetic men in a town who are willing to put shoulder to the wheel can, es. itself without the least mesalliance, has acquired a shape which renders its specimens the largest among the unmixed Merino breeds.— The animals have remained thick and short, but they have great size and abundant wool. It appears to be generally understood that the sheep with "cravats" and very marked deware also the most difficult to fatten.-Mark Lane laps are the greatest bearers of wool, but they | Express. Washing Sheep. MR. EDITOR:-Much is being said in favor of abandoning the practice of washing sheep, also on the great contrast between the condition of the wool before and after washing. Would something adverse to a change be out of place? If not, let any one who has often indulged in this exciting recreation, call to mind the amount of filth and dirt oozing from the fleece, discoloring the water as the expert operator keeps it in motion about the carcass of the subject under treatment. Many a sheep-shearer has discovered that water alone will remove the gum or grease from his hands quite as well as with the addition of soap. Always a participator, when my little flock has been through the renovating process I have carefully watched its effect upon both parties. The biped party generally think the dinner late, which may be set down as a favorable symptom, and never take cold with suitable exercise. The quadrupeds being in the water not more than four minutes each, find it cool and refreshing, on a hot summer day, rather than otherwise, cleansing the skin and opening the pores, giving a chance for the escape of extraneous and effete matter, thus adding to their health instead of endangering it. Carefully handled sheep never need be hurt in washing. One who will not catch and handle properly should not be allowed to touch them. Never should a sheep be caught by the fore leg or the wool on its sides or back. They are not likely to be injured if caught by the hind leg or the wool on the neck near the head. Washing the wool on sheep is said to be "unnatural." But there are other unnatural practices in connection with sheep husbandry which are universally approved. Never having known a sheep to take cold or show any signs of cold or chilliness in consequence of being washed, I apprehend no danger in that direction. Have frequently known them drop their lambs within an hour or two after being washed, without bad results. lambs into one small yard, the smaller lambs are in danger of being trodden under; but there is no necessity of doing business in that way. If one escapes unwashed, as now and then one will, it is not always agreeable to hear the complaints of the shearer, as he tugs away upon the dingy fleece, with unmistakable signs of extra labor, while his shears grow less inclined at each succeeding clip to separate the wool from the mutton, requiring increased manual labor to accomplish the desired result, or else a frequent use of the whetstone. Then the one who buys the wool says "that is unwashed," the moment he sees it; nor need he see it to detect its condition, for the sense of feeling is sufficient to reveal its soggy and lifeless state, feeling no more like a washed fleece than a dead lamb feels like a live one. Again, we may save freight on the dirt by keeping it at home. Nor is there any more need of a jug of whísky to suck at, or some stupifying weed to chew because a man spends an hour in washing sheep, than there would be of taking a dose of pills because he has taken a bath. FULTON, March 24, 1863. S. L. MILLER. Stock-Raising vs. Wheat-Growing. Summit, replied to my inquiries by saying that In crowding several hundred sheep and experience in such matters. Many of our Wisconsin farmers have experimented with nothing but wheat, until now many have scarcely the means to experiment on anything else, and some even have not the seed left to go into another experiment with wheat. As has been often suggested in the FARMER, I believe we should go into a greater variety in our farming operations. Just now it would seem that the whole attention might be very profitably directed to the production of any one article of farm produce, with good prospect of ample remuneration. All kinds of grain are now commanding a good price, equally so are pork, sheep, wool, &c. Now is not that a good reason why we should have some of each article for sale? Some one article of grain may fail and not produce a good crop. Disease or dogs may attack the sheep, or the hogs may be destroyed by some, now unknown to us, distemper. Undoubtedly the aggregate sales from a farm, yielding a variety of produce, will foot up as large, for a term of years, as one producing for market only one or two articles, and without doubt the farm will be in better condition and of enhanced value. TYING UP WOOL.-A correspondent of the Albany Cultivator furnishes the following description of his method of tying wool fleeces, and of the box used for that purpose. It is nothing new, but may be of service to some: HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION. The Wisconsin Seedling, as I have named this new and excellent variety of strawberry, was raised by me from the seed, by hybridization of the Triomphe de Gant, the Austrian Giant, and a very splendid French variety, the name of which I do not recollect. The plant grows larger than any other strawberry plant. The leaves are rather roundish, dark green and hairy. The pollen of the blossom is extraordinarily large, and is under all circumstances of joint sex, so that each blossom is sure to bring fruit. There grow no separate pistillates and staminates of this variety. The stem is generally thick, and strong enough to bear the fruit without bending down. The blossoms form a kind of grape cluster, not a flat umbrella like those of the Wilson's Seedling, and while some fruit ripens, blossoms and green buds may be seen on the same cluster. The variety is very prolific. Two years old plants yield from 150 to 250 berries; 287 have Make a square box, say two feet high-eighteen inches square at the bottom, with a gradual sloping increase to the top, making it twenty-two by twenty-four inches at the latter-have it well dove-tailed together-no top or bottom. On the top midway of each side, saw down three or four inches; in these cuts place two strings reaching to the bottom (which should sit on a smooth surface), crossing each other at right angles on the bottom, the ends hanging over on the outside sufficiently to tie. When the fleece is completely rolled up, place it in | have been counted on one single stalk. It is from eight to ten days later than the Wilson's Seedling, and when properly treated and kept free from runners, it is sure to bear during the the whole of the months of June, July, and a part of August. price to their customers as they can be bought at the country stores; and those men who know, or ought to know, of what age their seeds are, will be able to sell only good seeds. But sometimes seeds may be good and still The fruit is much larger than that of any not grow; what is the reason? They are often other variety. I have raised berries measur-planted at the wrong time, either too early or ing 5 inches in circumference, and 14 inches too late, often too deep, or, if not taken care in diameter. The berries first ripening are of, the bugs will eat them before the planter generally the largest, and are of very irregular knows that they are coming up. form, very often of the cockseomb shape; byand-by their form becomes more regular, near-erally understood, I will offer a few remarks ly heart-shaped, but more elongated. The flesh of the berry is white and very substantial; the flavor delicious, pineapplelike and subacid. On the side exposed to the sun, the upper part of the berry is crimson red, the other side and the top is light red, sometimes nearly white. It wants almost twice as much time to ripen as the Wilson's. The berries keep good in the basket for several days after picking. The plant is as hardy as any other strawberry, and, while taking it for granted, that strawberries should be protected during the winter, I know that this variety will stand the Wisconsin winter unprotected, if left in the cold by a negligent gardener. Seeds-How to Insure their Germination. The complaint that seeds will not germinate is very common, and, in a great many cases, just. In the present state of the seed trade, where seeds are packed up by the grower, carried over the country by agents and left in grocery stores for sale, where they remain often several years, and the seed-grower loses all control over them, it cannot be otherwise ex pected than that they often are worthless. But it is not always true that seeds are not good because they are several years old; there are some kinds which improve by age, others not. I think the Act passed by Congress that small packages of seeds may be sent by mail for one cent postage per oz. will create quite a revolution in the seed trade. This law will enable seed-growers and regular seed dealers to send seeds by mail, postage prepaid, for the same As the culture of garden seeds is more gen about flower seeds. It is a very common way with some people to plant all the flower seeds purchased, on the first pleasant day in April, broadcast over a small flower bed, without regard if they are tender or hardy, if they are of large or small sized plants. Here they are left to struggle with the weeds and be trod under foot by the chickens. Perhaps some kinds, of a strong growth, will work their way through; the most will die. Flower seeds ought to be planted each kind by itself, in hills about three feet apart, and the finer seeds only slightly covered. Put a little stick in each hill, so that you may know the spot, and when they come up watch against bugs and weeds. Early in May you ought to plant Coreopsis, Delphinium, Elichrysum, Eutosa, Lavatera, Lathinus, Papaver, Petunia, Phlox, Polygonum, Scabiosa, Reseda, Nemophila, Colinsia, and Iberis. If you do not watch the last two kinds closely, they will surely be eaten by the insects. Double German Aster and Large Flowering Pansy should also be planted early and afterwards transplanted. A paper of seed of each kind will make a beautiful flower bed. Convolvolus, Helianthus, Balsamina, Tagetes, Tropaeolum, and other tender kinds have to be sheltered, or planted late when there is no danger of frost. Wishing each of the fair readers of the FARMER the pleasure of a neat flower garden, it will afford me pleasure to show all who should happen to come this way, and favor me with a call, my own efforts in this branch of gardening. MOUNT PISGAH, Wis. F. A. MEISSNER. The Malope Grandiflora. piness of man, there are not many whose showiness and beauty exceed those of the Malope grandiflora, illustrated above. The plant is very spreading, the flowers large, crimsongreatly administered to the pleasures and hap- purple. Seeds may be had of most florists. Among the thousands of fairy flowers with which God has so adorned the earth and so |