REGISTER OF RURAL AFFAIRS.

THE EIGHTH NUMBER, for 1862, of THE ILLUSTRATED ANNUAL REGISTER OF RURAL AFFAIRS has now been issued from the press. In the attractiveness and value of its contents we do not think it has been surpassed by any preceding number. We submit below a partial abstract of its contents, which will show their variety and the extent to which they are illustrated-the present number of the ANNUAL REGISTER Containing more-than

One Hundred and Sixty Engravings. TERMS-as heretofore: SINGLE COPIES, postpaid, TWENTYFIVE CENTS; ONE DOZEN COPIES, postpaid, Two DOLLARS; ONE HUNDRED COPIES, FIFTEEN DOLLARS, and larger quantities at a farther reduction.

PARTIAL ABSTRACT OF CONTENTS. Among other valuable chapters, the ANNUAL REGISTER for 1862 wili contain the following:

I. FARM BUILDINGS-THIRTY ENGRAVINGS and Four Designs. 1. General Considerations.

2. Estimating the Capacity of Barna.

3. Form of Farm Buildings.

4. How to Plan a Barn.

5. Barn Basements.

6. Cost of Barns.

7. Design One-Barn for Fifty Acres or Less.

8. Design Two-Barn for Seventy-Five to a Hundred Acres.

9. Tool Rooms and Details in Stable Construction.

10. Design Three-A Large Three-Story Barn.

11. Design Four-A Small Three-Story Barn

12. Various Details.

10. Swine Fed on Skim Milk-Treatment of Sows with Young Piga.

11. Relieving Choked Cattle-Weaning Lambs.

XII. RURAL ECONOMY-THREE ENGRAVINGS. 1. Nails, Nuts, Screws and Bolts.

2. Farmer's Tools.

3. The Union Washing Machine.
4. Hay and Grain Racks.

6. Preserving Shingles.

6. Facts for Poor Farmere.
7. Time for Cutting Timber
8. Durability of Posts.

9. To Keep Plows Bright.

10. Sawing and Thrashing by Horses,
11. Provide Domestic Conveniences.
12. The Use of Rawhide.

13. How to Tan Rawhide.

14. Sap Pails.

15. The Cost of Fences.

16. Use of the Clod-Crusher.

XIII. USEFUL TABLES

1. Value of Food for Domestic Animal.

2 Weight of Grain to the Bushel.

3. To Measure Grain and Corn in the Granary or Crib.

4. Measures of Capacity, Length and Weight.

5. Weights of a Cubic Foot and Bulk of a Ton of Different Substances.

6. Capacity of Soils for Water.

7. Velocity of Water in Tile Drains.

8. Contents of Cisterns.

9. Distances for Planting Trees, &c., and Number to the Acre.

10. Force of Windmills.

11. Quantities of Seed to the Acre.

12. Quality of Different kinds of Wood.

13. Gestation of Animals.

14. Quantity of Garden Seeds Required for a Given Area.

XIV. ADVERTISEMENTS.

1. The First Formation of the Embryo.

2. The Seed and the Requirements for its Germination.

4. Mode of Growth and Structure of the Plant or Tree.

5. The Root-Layering; Cuttings; Transplanting

6. The Stem and Branches.

7. The Buds and Leaves.

8. The Process of Growing.

9. Principles of Grafting and Budding.

10. Flowers-their Organs; the Crossing of Different Varieties.

11. Species and Varieties.

III. THE GRASSES-THIRTEEN ENGRAVINGS.

1. Importance of the Grass Crop.

2. Descriptions of the more Common Species.

3. Nutritive Value of Hay.

4. Management of Grass Land.

5. Suggestions in Hay-Making.

**This article includes plain and concise descriptions of no less than TWENTY-TWO of the different grasses, with the peculiarities of which every farmer should be familiar-eleven of them accompanied by carefully drawn illustrations.

IV. LIGHTNING RODS-THIRTEEN ENGRAVINGS.

1. Essential and Non-Essential Points in their Erection.

2. Materials and Connections.

3. Length, Height and Supports-Stiffeners above the Roof.

4. Entering the Earth.

5. The Copper Rod-Various Errors-Cost of Rods.

V. BALLOON FRAMES-TWENTY-FOUR ENGRAVINGS.

1. Their Merits and Practicability.

2. Method of Raising-the Sills. Studs and Wall-Plate

3. Directions for One-Story Buildings.

4. Directions for Two or Three Story Buildings.

5. Siding, Lining and Construction of Partitions.

6. Framing Large Barns.

VI. THE APIARY-THIRTEEN ENGRAVINGS,

1. Advantages of the Movable-Comb Hive.

2. Descriptions of Different Kinds.

3. Management of Bees.

VIL. THE ORCHARD AND GROUNDS-FOURTEEN ENGRAVINGS.

1. Summer Pears-Old and New Sorts.

2. The Value of Orchards,

3. Training Weeping Trees.

4. Removing Large Trees.

1. On Cheese-Making by Beginners.

2. Hiram Mills' Way of Making Butter.

3. Two Valuable Rules in Making Cheese.

4. Butter Dairies of Chenango and Delaware Counties.

XI. DOMESTIC ANIMALS-Two ENGRAVINGS.

1. The Best Doctor for Animals,

2. Shropshire Down Sheep.

3. Wintering Sheep.

4. Training Cattle to Jump.

5. Registering Sheep-Care of them in Spring.

6. To Prevent Horses Kicking-Teaching them to Canter.

7. Making Cheap Beef-Beginning Winter Right.

8. Regularity in Feeding-Profits of Sheep Raising

9. Training Draft Animals-Cattle Racks.

We are now manufacturing a superior Steel Plow, intended for general use. Some of the advantages it possesses over the cast iron plow, are lightness of draught, durability, and freedom from clogging or sticking in heavy, clayey sticky or tenacious soils. The parts most exposed to wear are so constructed that they may be readily repaired by any blacksmith.

We would refer to the following persons who have them in use: John Johnston. Geneva, N. Y.; Wm. Summer, Pomaria, S. C.; R. C. Ellis, Lyons, N. Y.; Col. A. J. Summer, Long Swamp, Florida; A. J. Bowman, Utica, N. Y.; A. Bradley, Mankato, Minnesota; A. L. Fish, Litchfield, N. Y.; Volney Owen, Union, Ill.; John Slighter, French Creek, N. Y.

Mohawk Valley Clipper." No. 1, full trimmed, all steel,.. $15.00 do. do. with cast point...

"Empire," No. 1, with cast point, full trimmed,.

For Three-Horse Plows....

For Adjustable Beams,

14.00 15.00

$1.50 extra. 1.00 do.

We also manufacture Sayre & Klink's Patent Tubular Shank

STEEL CULTIVATOR TEETH. These Teeth are intended to supersede the old style of wedge teeth and teeth with cast iron heads. They are not liable to become LOOSE in the frame, like the FORMER, nor to BREAK, like the LATTER. They are as readily attached to the frame as any form of tooth.

SAYRES' PATENT HORSE HOE.

This implement is considered to be superior to any other for cultivating Corn, Cotton,Tobacco, Potatoes, Hops, Broom Corn, Nurseries, and all crops planted in rows or drills.

Steel Shovel Blades and Cultivator Points made, and all kinds of Swaging and Plow work done to order.

THE FARMER'S LIBRARY.

We know of no works which afford so much Practical Information on the subject of American Agriculture, which can be procured for double the cost, as the Third Series of "THE CULTIVATOR," the 8th vol, of which is now completed. The price of the Eight volumes, handsomely bound in muslin, is 75 cents each at this office, or $1.00 each sent by mail, post paid. Either volume from 1 to 8, can be had separately at the same price. The Eight volumes will be sent per Ex. press to any part of the country, on receipt of $6.

THE

HE HORSE AND HIS DISEASES. Embracing his history and varieties, breeding and management, and vices; with the diseases to which he is subject, and the remedies best adapted to their cure. By Robert Jennings, V. S. To which are addr ed Rarey's method of taming horses, and the law of warranty as applicable to the purchase and sale of the animal. Illustrated by nearly 100 engravings. Price $1.25 by mail, postpaid. For sale by LUTHER TUCKER & SON, Co. Gent. Office, Albany, N. Y,

Large Crop of Corn in New-Jersey, by S. G. CATTELL,

Experiment in Potato Culture, by P. SUTTON..

Use of Gas Lime and Ashes on Long Island,

Threshing Machines and Clover Hullers,.

Sorghum Molasses in Indiana, by R.,.

Refreshing the Memory, by J. L. R.,

Value of Corn Fodder to Dairy Farmers, by J. WADSWORTH.
Large Crop of Onions, by J. W. PROCTOR,

Stone Boats on Wheels, by S. E. TODD,...

Grain-Producing Capacity of the United States, by J. C. A.... Report of Commissioner of Patents and other Agricultural Books, A New-Hampshire Farm and Farmer, by LEVI BARTLETT.... Lebanon (Conn.) Farmer's Club..:..

The Country Gentleman and The Cultivator, by NEWTON REED,. Notes for the Month....

Inquiries and Answers,..

When to Cut Bushes, by WILLIAM BACON,,

Sowing Winter Grain Late in the Season, by S. E. TODD...

THE GRAZIER AND BREEDER.

The Cattle of Nicaragua, by Hon. A. B. DICKINSON,
Breeds of Swine in Monroe County, N. Y., by S. E. TODD,
Farm Stock of a New-Hampshire Farmer, by L. BARTLETT,.
Lincolnshire Sheep,.

Steaming Food for Cattle, by C. T. ALVORD,..

Best Sheep for Feeding. by I. D. G. NELSON,

Feeding Corn and Corncobs to Horses, by R. FRY,..
Experiments in Fattening Swine, by W. C. NICHOLS,.

HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

Culture of Plants in Ward Cases........

The Rome Beauty Apple,

To Keep Rabbits from Trees in Winter, by S. FOSTER,

Rules for Planting Trees,

Spanish and French Chestnuts and Maderia Nuts, by WM. R.

Horse Culture of Gardens,

The Northern Spy Apple,

The Olive Tree Hardy at the South, by W. R. PRINCE,

RURAL ARCHITECTURE.

Plan of a Barn for Seventy-Five to One Hundred Acres,. THE DAIRY DEPARTMENT.

Col. Zadock Pratt's Butter Dairy Farm,...

THE POULTRY YARD.

Best Laying Fowls Classified, by C. N. BEMENT,

THE BEE-KEEPER'S DEPARTMENT.

Winter Protection of Bees, by D. C. S.....

DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

Old Rails for Kindling Wood,...

To Hang up the Buggy Harness and Shafts Together, by S.) FOSTER,...

Amber and Copal Varnish, by RUSTICUS,

How to Cook Carrots, by A. M.,

How to Cure Hams and Sides,.

How to Cure Side Pork,..

Stump Machine, 2 figs., Plans of Barn, 4 figs.... Ward Cases, 4 figs........

BRAMAH

FRENCH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

In pairs at $3, or trios, $4, delivered in New-York.

Pure ENGLISH PIGS, $6.
Dec. 12-wtf.

FOWL

S PANISH

the Hammond Stock.

NOVA SCOTIA AND WESTERN PLASTER. For sale at DUNLAP'S Plaster Mill, 67 and 68 Quay Street, May 2-wtf. Albany, N. Y.

EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS, 395 BROADWAY, ALBANY, N. Y.

the clasping portion of the hinge; .d, timber of the gate. Wherever the gate is placed, whether high or low, in the clasping hinge, there it remains, being kept there by its weight hanging outwards against the hinges. It is lowered or depressed in a moment by merely lifting the gate enough to prevent this side weight. The lower hinge should be as much above the lower end of the heel-piece, as it is desired to raise the gate in winter.

Examine stove-pipes, and see that they are all firm and safe. Do not allow the soot to accumulate in them, so

SEASONABLE SUGGESTIONS.

There are many small matters that require attention in winter. A gate not kept fastened by a good self-fastening latch, and swinging in the wind, will be more injured in a short time, than by months of legitimate use. An equal injury is sustained if the gate has sagged and the latch strikes some other part of the post. Take a mild day and attend to all of them. It is important to keep latches and hinges greased; and in order to have grease always at hand when wanted, bore an inch hole in some part of the gate-post, put in a lump of tallow, and plug it up. It is then always ready.

Every farmer knows that a gate is rapidly twisted to pieces when it has settled and has to be dragged over the ground every time it is opened and shut. The same injurious result is produced when snow drifts form an obstruction to its motion. All farm gates should therefore be so constructed as to be capable of being raised a foot or two, to avoided the snow. This raising of the gate is accomplished in various ways. One, which answers well where the amount of snow is small, is to make a screw and nut for the lower hinge, so that by turning the nut the hinge is lengthened, and the latch end of the gate raised several inches. Another way is to have two sets of holes through the hinge post, so that the hinges may be changed for summer and winter. A third is to have the gate so made as not to come within a foot and a half of the ground, sliding in a wide board into a groove in the posts whenever small animals are to be shut off. A fourth is the mode figured and described some months ago, and is here briefly repeated. The accompanying cut represents a horizontal section of the heel piece of the gate, at the hinge. The dark portion is the iron hinge, clasping this d heel piece; a, the ring which rests on the hook in the fixed post; b, a triangular timber, he same length as the heel-piece, and firmly riveted to

house in flames. Never allow a stove-pipe to pass near wood. Burn the soot out of chimneys at some time when the roof has been wet with rain or melting snow, by lowering a bundle of straw or two from the top, and dropping a blazing wisp upon it. Probably nine-tenths of the houses that are burned in the country are ignited by the soot taking fire when the shingles are dry, and portions of it dropping on the roof. Keeping the soot well burned out of the chimney, and all that part of the roof near it, or the whole, whitewashed with a mixture of salt and lime,

would be worth more and cost less than the best insurance.

What is the reason that so many living and bed-rooms are badly ventilated in winter? One reason is, it is so hard to slide the sash up and down. See to it now, that all are made to slide comfortably and easily, and if they are not hung on pulleys by weights, provide the best and most easily working catches. A few hours time, and a few dimes of expense, may save twenty dollars in doctor's bills, to say nothing of suffering and lost time. Never allow a broken pane to remain a day.

Never allow a squeaking door-pass around once a week, if necessary, and give every hinge and latch a touch with an oiled feather.

Lay in a good supply of wood for next summer. Do not let it lie long in large sticks, but saw and split it up without delay, that it may be drying. Fresh wood quickly dried, is far more valuable than half decayed from a long retention of sap. If it can be exposed to the wind for a few weeks before housing, it will dry quite rapidly.

To winter animals profitably, remember that COMFORT is the great saver of flesh, and consequently of food. Feed regularly, that they may not fret off flesh in waiting for a delayed meal, for their stomachs are good chronometers; keep them clean, that they may not be subjected to the constant discomfort of dirt sticking in their hair and on their skins; let their quarters be warm, and especially. avoid the annoyance of cold currents sweeping through cracks in boards or undersills on the windward side of

barns; let the air they breathe be well ventilated, for no animal can do as well that is taking foul or dirty air into the delicate tissues of its lungs fifty thousand times every twenty-four hours, or at every inspiration. Good wholesome food is cheaper than such as is poor or mouldy. It is more economical to feed in well constructed racks and boxes, than for animals to tread their food under foot, lie upon it, or mix it with mud. Feed often, regularly, and small quantities, that the food may not become unpalatable by lying long in the animal's breath. Always have a good supply of pure water at hand in the yard. And remember the old saying that "one foot of boards [for shelter] is equal to one pound of beef."

Avoid the common error of trying to winter many animpls on little food. By this error much food is consumed with no increase of growth. A few well-fed animals will manufacture a far greater amount of flesh with the same feed, and they will command a much readier market. We recently visited a small farmer, whose whole herd of cattle was only eight; yet we are confident that they would sell for more money than any sixteen of the herds of most of his neighbors. He never tried to see how near he could come to starving them to death without doing it, and did not attempt to feed them on moonshine and sawdust.

Save manure. As wind is to the sailor, water to the miller, steam to the manufacturer, and money to the banker, so is manure to the farmer. Draw it out and spread it in winter, and early rains will soak it into the soil, and mix it with the particles of earth better than the finest harrow, and the clay of the soil will hold all the enriching portions, as the water charged with the liquid parts flows over it.

House and arrange all tools. The following plan, described in the last Illustrated Register we have found exceedingly convenient:

A place for everything, and everything in its place, will save many hours of searching, many weary steps, and much vexation every year. The tools should not only be in the room, but every one in its place, where the hand may be always laid on it in a moment. For this purpose they should always be hung up against the wall, and be neatly arranged. Nearly every tool can be hung on a spike or pin, or between two large nails. If hung perpendicularly, they will occupy less room, and may be quickly taken

RIVETS

NAILS

OLD IRON

Fig. 3-Interior of Tool Room-Large Tools.

or chalk; then with a brush dipped in some dark colored paint, make a distinct representation of the shape of the tool. These outlines will not only show where the tool should be put, but show at a moment if any has been left out of place. The consciousness that there is such a telltale in the tool room, will stimulate any careless laborer to return everything which he takes out.

Let all broken or injured tools be repaired by the farmer if he can do it, and by the mechanic if the farmer cannot-paint such as need painting-and let all be read for the active season on the opening of spring.

Farming as a Business Operation.

"The farm to the farmer, is what the ship is to the merchant. To undertake agriculture without means, is like sending a ship to sea without a cargo. The profit is cannot fill a ship, he had better sell her and buy a sloop. to use them both to their highest capacity. If the trader If a farmer cannot cultivate a hundred acres, let him sell fifty and put his whole capital on the remainder, and he will find his labor lighter and his profits greater."

Every year of our experience in farming, every season's observation of the operations of those around us, convinces us of the justice of the above anonymous paragraph. It is well added that "it is not the size of the farm, but it is the intelligence, the labor, the manure that is applied, that gives the profit." The farmer with more land than he can properly cultivate, is doing as wisely in his business, as the merchant who rents a large store which he has not goods to fill, from want of capital to purchase them. The manufacturer might as well expend all his means in buildings and machinery, and then neglect to keep them in use, as the farmer buy a large farm and but partially stock and cultivate it. It is true that large farms (of a hundred acres and over) are more economically carried on when one has sufficient capital to do it; but it is also true that the small farms, as both are usually managed, pay the largest profits.

This topic has frequently been made the subject of discussion through the agricultural press, so that we do not need to extend our remarks farther. We only offer these brief hints to recall attention to the matter-as one which those interested can readily think out for themselves.

treatment of domestic animals. It also exhibits the first

HOME COMFORTS. Wealth is not essential to neatness. We have visited a large showy house, in disorder from cellar to garretnothing neat, nothing homelike, nothing inviting; and on the other hand we have seen a low log cottage, whitewashed outside, and embowered with roses, a model of neatness and comfort inside, with its white window curtains, and every article of furniture handsomely arranged. This was owing to the presence of the excellent housewife. But while skill and labor within are so important in this great element of high civilization, namely, HOME COMFORT, the surroundings of the house under the care of the owner should never for a day be forgotten. The fences should be neat, if not costly. Boards, hoops, barrels, and boxes, should never be scattered over the yard.

The back-yard as well as the front, should be in good

order.

There should be dry paths, so that neither man nor woman need step in the mud to soil shoes and defile clean floors.

If gravel nor flagging cannot be had, let a carpenter make walks of planks.

Provide a wood-house for neatness, comfort and

economy.

Provide a good frame for drying clothes, so that the line need not be stretched every washing day from peach tree to hitching post, from hitching post to smoke-house, from smoke-house to gate frame, and and from gate frame to the place of beginning-with a forked stick, board and pitchfork here and there to hold up the sagging line.

Fill the wood-house with dry fuel and a supply of kindling wood-and the owner will never have to pass through a cold, smoky kitchen, nor eat sour and half baked bread.

Keep everything neat and clean about the barnyard, stables, piggery, &c., so that the "fame thereof," in the form of various odors, may not be wafted on the breeze to the house.

Remember the refining influence on a young family, of a neat garden, neat door-yard, handsome blooming shrubbery, and the healthfulness to the female mem bers, of providing an occasional seat or arbor, where they may spend a summer afternoon in sewing or study.

It is true that these comforts cannot all be enjoyed now, in the depth of winter; but much may be done in the way of procuring them, or making preparation for them. Materials for fences may be provided; gravel or flagging ⚫ drawn on sleds for walks; wood-houses comfortably filled; rubbish either removed or avoided; barns and barnyards put in order, and kept neat and exemplary; garden seats constructed, anh many other preparations made, which the farmer cannot think of stopping his summer-work to attend to.

PENNSYLVANIA FARM SCHOOL.

We are indebted to Dr. EVAN PUGH, President of the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, for a copy of its Third Annual Catalogue, just issued. We are glad to be able to present a brief outline of its affairs, and to know that they now occupy a more hopeful position than ever before.

During the past three years the Pennsylvania Farm School has been going on under circumstances of great difficulty, owing to the unfinished state of the College buildings. But an appropriation of last winter by the State Legislature of $50,000, has enabled the Trustees to advance in the work of completing the buildings, so that they will be entirely finished early next summer.

The main College building, we are told, is the largest edifice devoted to agricultural instruction in the world. It is, with the basement, six stories high, and covers an area of 19,200 square feet. It contains 165 dormitories, 10 by 18 feet square, and 9 to 11 feet high, affording ample room for 330 students. The building is also well supplied with commodious rooms for museums, scientific collections, lecture rooms and laboratories for chemical and philosophical study and experimentation.

The cost of construction is estimated at $121,000. Other property belonging to the institution, including a farm of 400 acres, makes the entire property of the school worth about $178,000.

The Farm School has been in operation for three years, and from the commencement has been well patronized. from other States, in order to make room for those from Heretofore it has been found necessary to exclude students Pennsylvania, but the enlarged capacity of the building will now allow students from all States to enter its classes.

The course of instruction is intended to be thorough in regard to the natural sciences in general, and especially so in regard to those having bearing upon agriculture. Any student having a knowledge of the ordinary elementary branches of an English education can enter its classess and graduate after a four years' course of study. The first year is devoted to a review and more complete study of the English branches. During the second the natural sciences, and the third and fourth years are mainstudent is conducted into the elementary branches of the ly devoted to the latter. The mathematical course is about as thorough as that usually followed in other colleges, the scientific course is much more thorough than in literary colleges generally, while no attention at all is sign of its friends to make the course as thorough and given to other languages than the English. It is the decomplete as that of the best European Agricultural Colleges, with such differences from them as the differences between American and European institutions generally require. Students who complete the course and pass satisby the Faculty, take the degree of Bachelor of Scientific factory examinations and prepare dissertations approved and Practical Agriculture, B. S. A.

SORGHUM IN ILLINOIS.-Great preparations are making for this crop next season in this section. Thousands of gallons of syrup of excellent quality have just been manufactured in this county, increasing the confidence previously felt in its value and success as a farm product, both for home use and marketing. G. Lee Co., Ill.

hours labor daily, and after three years experience the Faculty speak with full confidence as to the practicability of combining manual labor with study. All the work of the farm, garden and nursery is performed by students, all of whom are required to work; by this means the terms of admission are kept down at the very low rates of $100 per session of ten months.

The next session will open on Wednesday, the 19th of February, and close on the 18th of December following.