sists in the characteristics of the different nations as illustrated by their industrial products. Of this when we have more time. THE AMERICAN BRANCH. machines, a prize water elevator, and a prize steam fire engine-the whole being surmounted by a beautiful display of the Stars and Stripes. Of the others we have no time to give a description. The day was (for a great wonder) clear and radiant, making the grand array in the beautiful gardens and palace even more imposing than it would otherwise have been. Meagre as is the show of American products, it is a significant fact that in several departments of the Exhibition we are certainly entitled to the palm. The awards have not yet been declared, but it is certainly evident Time will not permit, before the closing of the foreign that the United States may justly claim the honor of the mail, any extended comments upon the awards in general, best agricultural implements, the best reapers and mow-but the following list of those made to the United States ers, the most surp: ising and valuable new invention for will show that the enterprise of those of our American weaving, the best piano and the finest statue. citizens who, in spite of all the hindrances in their way, have made exhibition, has not been in vain: We have not quite completed our labor of inspection, but hope to in a few days. When this is done we shall be prepared to begin the work of intelligent description and profitable comment. LIST OF AWARDS TO UNITED STATES. Mosheimer, J., for collection illustrating the newly ex- THE ANNUAL CATTLE SHOW OF THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL 80- Glencoe Starch Co., for samples of excellent starch. CIETY OF ENGLAND Was opened in Battersea Park on Tuesday. We got away from our work long enough yesterday to take a running look at the magnificent array of stock and the splendid show of implements and farm machinery. England has never seen anything like it, and we are confident that the like has never been seen in the history of the world. To-day there is to be a grand trial of steam plows, and as we have arranged to be present, this brief and hurried letter must close. LONDON, July 12, 1862.-Yesterday was the second great day of the Exhibition, being devoted to the delivery of the awards of premiums. It was a State Ceremonial, and representatives diplomatique of all the countries making exhibition were present in court dress to add to the splendor of the grand pageant. There was no great choir of 2,000 voices, as at the opening, but this deficiency was made up, in part by the presence of a large number of very distinguished bands from various parts of England, France and Germany-the Emperor Napoleon sending two of his finest bands at his own expense. The awards were delivered first by the Chairmen of the Juries to "His Royal Highness," the Duke of Cambridge, who, in turn as the procession moved through the Palace, delivered them to the diplomatic representatives of the different nations. These representatives were stationed at certain trophies or emblematically decorated courts along the course of the nave through which the proces. sion passed-Mr. Adams, the American Minister, receiving the awards made for articles exhibited by the citizens of the United States. These trophies were, some of them, very beautiful and interesting, being made up of articles illustrative of the resources and industry of their respective countries. The U. S. trophy embraced a beautiful copy, in stucco, of the Greek Slave; a fine statue of "America," leaning upon her shield, and holding the American Flag in her right hand, with sundry prize implements of husbandry at her feet; the prize piano; Cropsy's magnificent prize pictures of a scene on the Hudson; together with several sewing Hotchkiss, H. G., for winter green oil. etable drugs, Native American. ification. Wilkins & Co., for fine collection of bristles. Brewster & Co., for a phaeton. Conway, E., for cork cutting machine. chine. Kershaw & Colvin, for novel and useful cow milking ma- Colt, for the principle of his revolving arms. Blake Brothers, stone-breaking machine. Ligner, F. O., printing press. The Editor's Tour on the Continent. Sanford & Mallory, scutching machine for taking fibre PARIS, May, 1862.-Out of the rain and fog, and smoke, from leaves of aloes. Whipple, P. H., machine with 18 adjustible drills. Russet & Truman, reaping machine. Dexter, series of busts of Governors of States in America. From the above list it will appear that the United States have drawn 54 medals and 31 diplomas, which, in view of the fact that the whole number of entries was but 98, is certainly a most remarkable success-the prizes being in proportion to the entries as about 7 to 8. The proportion of prizes awarded in the whole exhibition is as 1 to 5. America is therefore immensely ahead. But it is not alone in the proportion of prizes that we have excelled. The character of the objects for which awards have been made is also worthy of notice, as being fruits that we have ever had the pleasure of seeing, was time for the next number. The Great Exhibition.-LONDON, June 8th. Leaping over the intervening space between the writing of our last, or rather suppressing until the next number the publication of further travels, we hail our readers again from the fog-bound isle of Old England. and everlasting jam in the narrow, crowded, dingy streets of overgrown, hardworking London into the clear sunshine of Paris, with its broad avenues, beautiful gardens, charming fountains, deep shady woods, magnificent public works, monuments and statues, all made more brilliant and enchanting by the gay and happy mood of the pleasure-taking and pleasure-making population-what a change! We can hardly realize it, and find ourselves asking, again and again, "Is this not, after all, a fairy dream, which will leave me at the waking, still in the midst of gloomy London, elbowing our way to the Great Exhibition?" To describe Paris in a brief and hurried letter, such as this we propose, which must compass the entire route of our journey through France and into Switzerland, is, of course a thing impossible. At some future time we may take up the more important places and objects a little in detail. Glowing descriptions of Paris had prepared us to anticipate much of the beauty and magnificence which characterize it to a degree above and beyond every other city in the world; but like the Queen of Sheba we found that the half had not been told. Years ago it was famous for its numerous broad avenues and boulevards, smoothly paved and bordered with shaded walks, fountains and flowers, for its magnificent palaces, its fine old churches, its extensive water works, its public institutions of every grade and character, its splendid galleries of paintings by the world's best masters, and for the profession of noble statuary; but within the time during which Napoleon III. has been Emperor, so much has been done to adorn and beautify the city, that to those persons who saw the city even as late as in 1850, Paris is doubly Paris now. Among the most remarkable features is the apparent universal happiness of the people. Of course it is impossible that in a city of almost a million and a half of peo It will be remembered that we left a month ago because the Exhibition was not yet fully ready for profitable and satisfactory inspection. But now it is ready in every proper sense of the word. Wonderful are the transfor-ple there should not be much want and wretchedness; mations which it has undergone, and to-day it stands forth before the whole civilized world, a miracle of what the ceaseless industry of the nation is doing. Oh, it is glorious beyond any possible description. Years could be spent in its study, but to us are given only weeks and months. The first of a series of papers on the various departments of the Exhibition, and on the several nations represented, will appear in the next number. The National Association for the Advancement of Social Science. This honorable Association has been in session since the 6th inst., Lord Brougham, President, in the chair. Enjoying the honor of membership, we have attended many of the meetings and participated in its proceedings. Many questions of the greatest importance have been considered by the ablest men in the kingdom, and a report, in synopsis, of some of the meetings, the subject matter of which is appropriate to this journal, will appear in the next No. yet after a thorough inspection of it, in all its parts from the palace of the Emperor to the humble dwelling in the most forbidding back alley, we are prepared to believe that, in this respect, there is no city of like magnitude equal to this in the world. During our stay of several days we witnessed no collision of man with his fellow, heard no hard words and were not once asked for alms. Always cheerful, affable, approachable and genuinely polite, they seem to require nothing but a little more solidity and a higher religious faith and life to make them the most agreeable people to live among in the world. Napoleon seems to understand them perfectly well and admirably, as we think, adapts his administration to their peculiar traits of character-achieving glory for the Empire by his feats of arms, adding by means of the most prodigal expenditures to the transcendant beauty and attractiveness of the capital, and at the same time holding them to their places by the unyielding reins of a strong despotic government. It is thus that he is popu lar among his own people in spite of his tyranny. If he can only financier his treasury into a more sound and happy condition, we can see no reason why he may not continue during the whole period of his life in the enjoyment of his imperial throne. AGRICULTURE. But we have not forgotten in the midst of all the dazzling splendor of the court and city that the chief object of our visit to France was of a professional, rather than a pleasure seeking character-to study the industry of the country. Thus far the agriculture of the Empire had been a surprise to us-much better than we had been led to expect. From Havre de Grace to Paris the country looks like one continuous garden. More beautiful fields of wheat, rye, oats, sanfoin, lucerne and potatoes we have never seen. There are beautiful hedges along the railway and around the dwellings, but otherwise no enclosures for miles-the division lines between farms being indicated by stone posts here and there. THE AGRONOMIC INSTITUTE AT GRIGNON. Great and Josephine, and the apartments are pointed out which they were wont to occupy for private use. LYONS. We came to this place down the beautiful Saone, (pronounced Sone,) stopping at Dijon and Chalons sur Saone. Crops of grain and grass looking well, though the cultivation is hardly as good as in Northwestern France. The vine shows itself on the way, clothing many fields and all the favorable hill sides. It is looking splendidly and gives good promise of a great crop. The grass crop is about half cut, (May 24,) and the wheat is perceptibly beginning to change its shade of deep green to a brighter hue. Scenery on the Saone much of it very beautiful; rivalling, it is said, that on the Rhine, which we have yet to see. Lyons is the great silk city of Europe; numbering some 700 large establishments where it is manufactured. It was these manufactories that brought us all these 316 miles from Paris, and we feel that we have been well repaid for the journey. The city itself is well worth a visit, being one of the handsomest, as well as one of the most populous in France. It is located at the junction of the Saone with the Rhone, lying between and on both eight fine stone and suspension bridges, the Saone by nine. Population, including the suburbs, about 275,000. On the north side lies a mountain, from the top of which, in a clear day, the summit of Mont Blanc, though distant an hundred miles, is said to be distinctly visible. This institution, the leading one of its kind in France, is located some 40 miles from Paris; the way to it lying through Versailles. We devoted two days to its inspec-sides of these charming rivers. The Rhone is crossed by tion with results of mingled pleasure and disappointment -pleasure in seeing that the institution is really doing an important work for the agriculture of the country; of disappointment that the buildings and the appointments of the school and farm were not kept in a better condition, i. e., in a condition calculated to make a better impression upon the stranger and to afford a better example to the pupils who are themselves to become either instructors in turn or "model" farmers in various parts of the world. The school is supported by the Government and partly by the fees paid by the students. It is represented as being in a flourishing condition and has the confidence of the public. At another time-when we shall have done seeing and are prepared to write-we shall give a full account of its plan and working. FOUTAINEBLEAU. We have at last torn ourselves away from the enchantments of Paris, but find ourselves in the midst of others of like character. Foutainebleau-by which we mean the old palace and gardens and forest were the Kings and Emperors of France since the days of Louis VII. have delighted themselves with the beautiful scenery of the place, the splendid works of art, and the exciting sports of the wood—is a peep at paradise! No wonder we lingered by its beautiful lakes and streams and wandered by moonlight in its majestic, glorious wood until the mute statues and half-hushed birds were our only companions and the iron gates were closed! The gardens and fountains too are most lovely-partly a la Versailles, partly unique. The Palace occupies ten or twelve acres of ground, and though not so grand in its external as the Louvre and the Tuilleries is nevertheless magnificent, and is gorgeously decorated within. It was a favorite with Napoleon the The process of silk manufacture is most interesting, and we regret that we have neither the time now, nor the necessary diagrams, to give our readers some insight into it. We saw silks of every pattern and color in the thousands of looms-all worked by hand and foot-and only wished we could present each of our lady friends, the world over, with a robe of some of them, which seemed to us most beautiful. GENEVA, Switzerland.-A delightful ride along the banks of the wild blue Rhone has brought us to this gem of a Swiss town so famous for its beautiful natural scenery, for the great men, such as Voltaire, Calvin and others who made it their home, and for the extensive manufactory of the best watches and clocks known in the world. With Lake Leman (Geneva) on the North, the mountains of Savoy (late a part of Sardinia) and the picturesque valley of the Rhone on the South, the Jura mountains on the West and the majestic Alps, crowned by Mont Blanc, on the East, there is no city in Europe of superior natural interest and attractiveness. After a stay of two days, climbing the Jura, riding on the lake watching the dashing heaven-blue waters of the river which divides the city and furnishes water power for its mills and manufactories, and last of all looking into the mysteries of watch-making, we are every hour more loth to leave. But Mont Blanc is beyond, standing majestic behind the veil of clouds which unhappily obscure his face, and provoke us to the task of climbing the mountains which lie be tween. The decision is made, therefore, and our next letter shall be written in the midst of his glittering peaks and eternal ice. The Editor's Apology.—It will be understood by all our readers, we trust, that no man is competent to do two things at one and the same time. It is on this account that our pen has done but very little for the FARMER since we left America. The time of our stay must necessarily be very short, and it seems better for us and them that that time should be spent in gathering up stores of information which may be communicated to the public after our return. Will not all the farmers say "amen"? The Editor's Return.-Our friends may confidently expect to see us at the old post of duty and labor early in August, and even earlier, should advices from the Board of Agriculture require an earlier return. "Peas among Potatoes."-ED. FARMER:-It is with pleasure I read your publication, and I believe I will never do without it again, it is valuable for most every class of people to read, for the reason that it hits upon almost everything; and I would advise everybody hereafter to take the FARMER; but I noticed one rather absurd idea, to my notion, in your June number headed, "Peas among Potatoes." It is true, I admit, most persons are very fond of green peas; yet where is there a farmer around but can spare a piece of ground big enough for a pea patch, and there is no need of it being said, "we are out of green peas!" for most any farmer has land enough to plant the second crop, as is suggested, to drop the seed pea in the potato hills. What appears so absurd to me is this, that a pea planted with potatoes don't want the same tending. A pea should be plant ed as early as possible in the spring, and isn't necessary to plant potatoes quite as early; therefore the pea will come up sooner even planted with the potato than the potato, and they are required to be hoed as early as possible after they are thoroughly up, and then they never should be hoed after they blow, and they being much the tallest of the two, it hinders the blows of the potatoes from blowing on one another; consequently whether they would be part peas and part potatoes remains to be tried; but there can't be much potatoes, for the peas take all the blossoms, and also will entangle the potato vines so they can't be worked. The piece I noticed in your number was quoted from the N. E. Farmer. GEORGE. MADISON, Wis., 1862. Leicester Sheep.-J. W. HOYT, Esq., Dear Sir :-I wish to inquire if you can inform me where in this State or Illinois, I can buy Leicester Sheep, or part bloods, and at what price. We have but about twenty sheep in this county, and I wish to procure one hundred or more this autumn. We have good grazing lands here for sheep, and this branch of industry, or rather stock growing, would materially add to the wealth of our county. H. A. TEMPLE. CENTRALIA, Wood Co., Wis., June 2, '62. Langstroth Hive.-GENTS:-Will you please inform a subscriber to the FARMER, how I can get the Langstroth Hive and his Book on Bees, and what each would cost. JOSEPH CHICKEN. CALAMINE, Wis., July 7th, 1862. [At this time when bees are doing well, and the public mind is largely interested in their culture, we are surprised that parties interested in the improved styles of hives do not advertise their business through the FARMER, for the public good. It will pay.-ED.] Will Blood Sheep Pay.-MR. EDITOR:-In looking over the back numbers of the FARMER, I perceive there is quite a disposition among your subscribers to communicate through the columns of your journal, any seeming success which may have been attained by them in their different occupations. And as we in the vicinity of Whitewater have been, and are doing, something in the improvement of sheep, I deem it but proper that I should call your attention to a fow facts that have fallen under my own observation, and again make the enquiry which has before been made through your columns, Will blood pay? Five years ago next October we purchased of Ebner Porter, of West Rutland, Vt., 63 full blood Spanish Merino Ewes, bred by himself; since we came in possession of them, we have used Mr. Hemenway's Stock Buck "Matchless," and his stock to the "Robinson Rich." We have sold from that stock over $1,000 worth of sheep, and have on hand a flock of 150, twenty of which are the original ewes. They average 6 pounds, the increase 80 ewes (having lambs) averaged 7%1⁄2 pounds; 20 yearling incidental expenses,.......... for the years 1859, 1860 and 1861:. ewes averaged 7 pounds 6 ounces, all clean washed wool; Comparative Statement of the business of the Company 10 bucks, 7 of which are yearlings, averaged 12 pounds; 20 wethers averaging 9 pounds, making an aggregate of 1,0471⁄2 pounds of wool from 130 sheep, or an average of 499 53 3,772 ....... $3,916,115 49 10,339 18 35,761 88 68.789 45 5,847 44 9,071 89 DANE COUNTY, We, the undersigned, being the President and a majority of the Directors of the "Madison Mutual Insurance Company," do solemnly swear, and each for himself saith, that the foregoing is a true and correct statement of the affairs of said company in the particulars therein named, as appears by the books of the company, according to the best of our knowledge and belief. D. J. POWERS, President. H. H. GILES, SAM'L R. MCCLELLAN, Subscribed and sworn before me this sixth day of Jan uary, A. D. 1862. V. W. ROTH, Notary Public, Dane County. The foregoing statement of the business of this Com pany for the past year gives a gratifying evidence of its high standing in the public estimation and of the success of its rules and principles of action. Although its business for the preceding year (1860) was much larger than that of any previous year, and notwithstanding the general depression among farmers the past season, arising from light crops and low prices, the above figures show an increase of nearly seventy per cent. in the number of policies issued, and of over seventy per cent. in the amount of cash premiums for the past year. We invite a careful examination of this report. Its figures make a stronger argument than any form of words, and prove a rise and standing in popular favor unparalleled in the history of the Northwest. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1862: DIRECTORS. J. W. BOYD, Walworth County. B. F. HOPKINS, Dane County. D. WORTHINGTON, Waukesha County. 8. D. HASTINGS, Trempeleau Couuty. |