EFFECTS OF GUANO BURIED AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS.

Recent experiments made by the Agricultural Society of Prague show the effects of guano buried in the soil at different depths. The amount applied was 290 kilograms per hectare. This is 259 pounds per acre.

Edwin Reynolds, correspondent of the Department at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, writes as follows of his experience with the potato bug:

I planted potatoes May 7 and 8; the field thirty by eight rods; planted east and west. In the centre I planted ten rows of early varieties, which came up much sooner than the main field, and some days earlier than the Early Goodrich, planted side by side at the same time. On the 26th full-grown bugs (two) made their appearance, the field being eighty rods from where potatoes had been before; 27th, ten were destroyed; 28th, thirty; 29th, sixty-seven; 30th, thirty; 31st, fifteen-up to which time all were on about a rod of ground. June 1, two other small spots were infested, when I came to the conclusion that the price of potatoes was eternal vigilance. Therefore, with two paddles in hand, I scrutinized every hill myself, destroying bugs and larvæ until the 22d, when the larva that I had overlooked became crawling slugs and so numerous that I resorted to a pan and stick, knocking them off and destroying them. This I practiced until July 5, when I was told by a farmer from Iowa that one pound Paris green and four pounds dry ashes sifted and well mixed, applied to the infested vines while the dew was on, was sure death to the bugs and no injury to the vines. I tried it, and to my great satisfaction found it to be so. I used the composition, passing over the field twice a week, and kept the bugs subdued until the leaves had become too tough for their food, and they have disappeared.

It will be noticed the bugs appeared in my field in patches. Many conjectures arose in my mind, as to whether they were deposited in the ground last fall, or flew in the night from one field to another. I came to the former conclusion, for had they flown in the night they would have been more evenly distributed over the field.

I would recommend planting in fields of long narrow strips, and, at least once in two rods, plant the earliest varieties across the piece, that the bugs in the ground may be destroyed before the main field is up, as they will surely concentrate on the earliest varieties. I would further recommend that planting be done with single eyes, say five in a hill, that they may grow single stalks, in order to more closely detect the larvae, as they are deposited on the under side of the leaves.

The most convenient method of destroying the bugs is by using a pair of tongs mado of nail-rod. With such an instrument bugs and eggs can be kept off for some time with as little labor as using the Paris green and ashes, and saving the cost of the pigment. A neighbor of mine planted potatoes on ground that grew potatoes the year before, and when covering them found from three to seven full-grown bugs on each potato.

ANTS AT THE ROOTS OF FRUIT-TREES.

Rev. W. P. Smith, M. D., of Fayetteville, Texas, communicates the following successful mode of dealing with ants at the roots of fruit-trees,

which insects are very troublesome and destructive, particularly in warm climates:

"I was raising some tobacco, and operated with the green leaves in the following manner: I removed the earth from around the tree or vine as much as I could without injuring the roots; then I put a handful of tobacco leaves around the tree or vine, where the ants worked, covered them nicely with the earth, and pressed it well. In a few cases I had to repeat the dose, but I have tried it often with uniform success in driving the ants and saving the tree or vine."

It will be seen that the foregoing collection embraces a large variety of experiments from the skillful and careful field-trial down to that which is comparatively crude and incomplete. However imperfect many of these experiments may appear, taken collectively they furnish material for practice, thought, critical comparison, and profitable deduction. Experiments even of small value in themselves may serve by example as stepping-stones to others of more perfect character, affording more decisive conclusions. It is by the constant accretion of knowledge gained through similar trials, and by the slow progress made through conflicting successes and failures, that improvements are established and errors

overcome.

It is important to note some of the requisites to the clear statement of a field experiment. The narrator should specify the nature of the surface soil, whether clayey or sandy loam, porous or compact, wet or dry, and its depth; the nature of the subsoil; the manures applied, in what manner applied, and in what quantity per acre or square rod, &c; the quantity of seed sown to a given area, of what particular variety, and in what manner sown; the manner of cultivation; the cost of production; the amount of product to a given area, and its value. It is, of course, impossible to prescribe an unvarying form of statement suitable to all cases. Common sense and reflection will supply means of adaptation. It is the plain statement of facts that is wanted, not elegance of style. The farmer who contributes such desirable information may in that act be a benefactor to himself, to his immediate section, and to thousands remote from his own habitation. It should never be forgotten that, in its proper estate, agriculture is indeed an art; and that its followers, wherever they be and in whatever condition, are bound by the most common ties of humanity to contribute as far as possible to the general welfare of their fraternity.

CURRENT FACTS IN AGRICULTURE.

FOREIGN PRODUCTION.

The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England contains an exhibit of the product, imports, and consumption of wheat in the United Kingdom of Great Britain during a period of years, in which the following conclusions are reached: There has been a reduction in the area of wheat culture in each of the three main divisions of the kingdom; very large, proportionally, in Scotland and Ireland, comparatively small in England. In yield there has been a small increase per acre in England and Wales, and probably in Scotland, and a marked diminution in Ireland; on the whole, a small increase in yield per acre in the United Kingdom collectively. In the aggregate of home-produced wheat in the United Kingdom there has been a diminution; proportionally small in England and Wales, very considerable in Scotland, and still greater in Ireland. The imports of breadstuffs have increased enormously of late years, and in much greater proportion in Ireland than in Great Britain. The aggregate amount of wheat consumed annually in the United Kingdom has increased very considerably, the ratio of increase being about the same in Great Britain as in Ireland. In the United Kingdom collectively the population has increased considerably notwithstanding a diminution in Ireland; and the actual consumption of wheat per head in Great Britain has increased a little more than five per cent., and in Ireland over twenty per cent. The final deduction made is that, "unless the home product of wheat in the United Kingdom, available as human food, (which has been about 12,250,000 quarters per annum during the last eight years,) should increase, there will be required the next five years an average importation of between 9,000,000 and 10,000,000 quarters annually, or from 72,000,000 to 80,000,000 bushels." Five and a half bushels per head are given as a low estimate of the average annual consumption.

Acreage in Ireland.—The total acreage under crops in Ireland in 1867 was 5,459,702 acres; in 1868, 5,547,335 acres; showing an increase of 87,633 acres. Of the several crops the greatest increase in acreage was in oats; next in meadow and clover, potatoes, and wheat, respectively. During the same period there was a decrease of more than three per cent. in the estimated value of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs.

Increase of acreage.-In Great Britain, in 1868, the increase of acreage in wheat, over that of 1867, was a little more than eight per cent; and over that of 1866, nearly nine per cent. In barley the increase of acreage in 1868, over that of 1867, was nearly five per cent.; over that of 1866, only four per cent. In oats the year 1868 shows an increase of acreage of only one-tenth of one per cent. over 1867, and three-tenths of one per cent. over 1866. In potatoes the year 1868 exhibits an increase of acreage over 1867 of nearly ten per cent., and over 1866 of more than nine per cent. In the number of live stock, per estimate of June 25, 1868, there was an increase in cattle in 1868 over 1867 of eight and a half per cent.; in sheep, a little more than six per cent.; in pigs, about twenty-two and a third per cent.

Yield of wheat.-Reliable English authority places the average yield

of wheat, throughout England and Wales, for a series of years, at twenty-eight bushels per acre. The average for 1868 is larger, this year having been uncommonly productive. By comparison of recent statistics with similar information obtained by Arthur Young, in twenty-six counties of England, in 1769, it appears that the average product of wheat per acre in England has increased five bushels, or nearly twenty-two per cent., during the past century. This increase has resulted from improved farming.

In the estimates presented by James Caird, the well-known English writer on agricultural statistics, the average yield of wheat per acre, in different European countries, is given as follows: In England, twentyeight bushels; Ireland, twenty-four; Austria, Spain, and Holland, twenty-three; Belgium, twenty-one; France, fifteen and a half. With reference to this low acreage of wheat in France, Mr. Caird says that, in discussing this point with the eminent French statist, M. Léonce de Lavergne, the latter agreed with him that, apart from difference in soil and climate, the deficiency was probably to be accounted for by the fact that, while the grass and the green crops, or restorative area, of England are as two to one of grain, in France the case is reversed, the grain or exhaustive crops being there as two to one of the grass and the green crops.

In Australia the wheat crop was twenty per cent. greater in 1867 than in 1866, comprising sixty-eight acres out of every hundred acres under cultivation. The wheat crop of 1867 was, however, reduced, through red rust, to an average of four and three-quarters bushels per acre, nine and three-quarters bushels less than in 1866. All other cereals showed a comparative decline in average product.

Remarkable season.-The Mark Lane Express, reviewing the agricul tural experience of England, for the year 1868, says: "A long protracted drought, with intense heat, characterized the summer. The hay crop and all esculents were materially reduced. All spring corn suffered, in consequence, as to yield; more especially oats. The light lands, where wheat was grown, gave but a scanty produce, and fears were entertained that all soils would materially suffer. Those fears soon gave way upon examination of the standing crops, and the result has been the largest and best growth of wheat known during the present century."

THE DAIRY.

The report of the American Dairymen's Association, for 1868, gives the following statement of cheese and butter factories in the various States: New York, 639 factories, to 377 of which are attached 169,812 cows, no returns being given of the number attached to the 262 factories remaining; Ohio, 72 factories, to 20 of which are attached 12,100 cows; Illinois, 26 factories, to 15 of which are attached 5,950 cows; Vermont, 22 factories, to 9 of which are attached 5,380 cows; Massachusetts, 15 factories, to 4 of which are attached 1,717 cows; Wisconsin, 8 factories, to 6 of which are attached 2,050 cows; Pennsylvania, 5 factories, 930 cows; Kentucky, 5 factories, to 2 of which are attached 500 cows; Michigan, 4 factories, to 2 of which are attached 850 cows; Iowa, 3 factories; North Carolina, 1 factory, 230 cows; Minnesota, Virginia, and Tennessee, each 1 factory. Total, 803 factories, to 441 of which are attached 199,519 cows. This statement does not exhibit the whole number of cheese and butter factories in the United States. It is known that, in 1866, there were more than 1,000; and the number has been in creasing since that time.

The quality of English cheese has deteriorated during the past seven years. In the Scottish cheese there has been a very great improvement in quality. Five-eighths of the whole production of cheese in Great Britain is made in Cheddar shapes. Prominent English dairymen frankly acknowledge the merits of the American cheese factory system, and some efforts have been made toward its introduction into the kingdom. Sweden is already introducing this system within her borders.

Cheese production in 1868.-Concerning the production of cheese in this country in 1868, M. G. B. Weeks, secretary of the American Dairymen's Association, writes: "Of cheese, probably not over three-quarters as much has been made as in 1867, while the price has averaged as much as one and a half cent per pound higher-from fifteen to seventeen cents per pound for produce of good to fancy factories. There is no stock in the country. There has been, during the past season, far less complaint, by dealers, respecting bad-flavored cheese. This is, in part, accounted for from the briskness of the demand, most of the time, which leads slight faults to be passed over; but mainly because there has been more than usual attention paid to style and quality."

Comparative prices.-Corderoy's Cheese Circular for January, 1869, says: "Really fine Cheshire cheese would bring to-day 80s. to 868.; Cheddar, 848. to 888.; Scotch Cheddar, 688. to 728.; Swedish, 60s. to 66s.; American, 708. to 748. These quotations have reference only to cheese of the first class; other sorts are nominal in price. Cheese of fine quality and pure flavor is in increasing demand." The following statement is given of the arrivals of American cheese for 1868, as compared with arrivals in 1867:

Year ending December 31, 1868.
Year ending December 31, 1867

Increase...

Boxes.

940, 924 935,512

5,412

Choice of breeds.-In the annual address before the American Dairymen's Association, January, 1868, Professor Brewer, of Yale College, remarking on failures in profitable use of imported breeds, says: "Breeds are local in their origin, and almost local in their excellencies. When we transport an improved breed to a region distant from where it originated,it must be to one similar to its home, if it would do equally well-otherwise it deteriorates; and different localities, as well as dif ferent uses, demand different breeds."

Whey." Butter-making from whey, can it be profitably done at cheese factories?" In the discussion of this question by the association named above, Mr. Kenney, of Cortland County, New York, stated that, in 1867, he made from 900 cows 288,781 pounds of cheese; and from the whey 9,000 pounds of butter, which sold for twenty to thirty cents per pound, amounting to more than $1,900. The process is very delicate. Mr. Kenney holds that the making of butter from whey, in connection with cheese manufacture, will pay well, if properly managed. His cheese brought the highest market prices, and the average per cow was as large as though no butter had been made from the whey.

Amount of caseine in cheese.-The averages exhibited by twenty-eight cheese factories in New York, in 1867, show that from nine and a half to ten pounds of milk were required to produce one pound of cured cheese.

Scotch axiom.-"A cow that will make less than her dressed weight of cheese per annum should be sent to the butcher."