Farm and Garden.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 219, 20 November 1875, Page 21

Farm and Garden.

THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW. The Wellington Horticultural Society’s show was opened on Thursday at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, the interior of which had been prepared for the reception of exhibits. The show as nearly approached success as could have been expected considering the uncongenial weather that growers have had to contend against. The body of the hall was devoted to plants and flowers, which were arranged on three long tables, and, as may be imagined, presented a very beautiful spectacle, whilst the air was laden with the fragrance of a vast variety of flowers. At a cursory glance the exhibits did not appear to be much above the common, generally speaking ; but a close inspection showed that there were some choice and rare things of nature to be seen. Air. Travers contributed some rare plants. Among these may he mentioned the Draccena Hendersonii and sarracenia flava, the only one in New Zealand, and a perfect gem. Air. Travers had also beautiful heaths of the ventricosa section. Air. Bramley’s collection of coniferous plants should be mentioned. They are very rare, and it is asserted by persons critical in such matters that they could not he surpassed in New Zealand. The primula Japonica, exhibited by Archdeacon Stock, is also worthy of special mention, together with another exhibit by the 'same gentleman, namely, a variegated lily of the valley, which was one of the prettiest things in the show. A collection of cut blooms by Air. Alason attracted a good deal of attention, and some native plants (the property of Air. Travers), were no less the subject for admiration. Mr. Alason also exhibited two seedling rhododendrons, which were highly commended. In tlie vegetable department the best exhibits were Air. Laing’s asparagus, and tlie cucumbers of Air. AlcNab, which latter wore of an enormous size. There were a few strawberries, but of a lean and hungry kind. The show of gooseberries was but so so. The new exhibits by Air. H.H.Travers were:— Alackaya bella, variegated pineapple, an hydrangea otalcsa variegated (a variety which has not yet been grown in England), gloxinia maculata, a new caladium, erica vontricosa rosea, eucharis amazonica, and an cranthomum andersonii. New exhibits by Air. McNab :—Macrozamia dennisonii, doryauthus excelsa, Japan wax tree, bougainvillia glabra, tecoma velutina, chainoerops fortunii, livistonia oliviformis, allamanda nobilis, dasylirion sp., erica ventricosa superba, erythrina purpurea, clerodendron balfourii, sabal palmata, basteria eristata, mackaya bella. The attendance during the day was very good, and the numbers increased at night, when the Hall being lighted presented a very brilliant appearance. Following is a list of those exhibits which took prizes, with the names of the exhibitors attached:— I'OT PLANTS Amateurs. One new or rare plant —lst prizo, Mr. Travers ; 2nd. Rev. A Stock. 1 specimen plant in flower —lst, Mr. Smith ; 2nd, Mr Travers, 1 variegated foliage plant—lst, Mr. Smith; 2nd, Mr. Travers. Foliage plant not variegated—lst, Mr. Travers; 2nd, Air. Smith. 3line foliage plants, varieties—lst, Mr. Travers; 2nd, Air. Smith. 2 greenhouse plants in flower, each of distinct genus—lst, Mr. Travers; 2nd, Mr, Burne 3 begonias in flower, varieties—lst, Mr. Travers ; 2nd) Air. Smith. 3 fine foliage begonias, varieties—lst, Mr. Travers ; 2nd, Mr. Smith. 2 geraniums, single, varieties—lst, Mr. Travers; 2nd, Mr. Phillips. 2 geraniums, double, varieties—lst, Mr. Travers. 2

Kcraniums, ivy-leafed, in flower, varieties—lst, Mr. Travers; 2pd, Mr. Smith. 2 geraniums, tri color, varieties—lst, Mr. Smith ; 2nd, Mr. Travers. 2 goraniumm bi-color, varieties—lst, Mr. Mr Smith ; 2nd, Mr. Travers. 2 pelargoniums, stage, varieties—--Ist, Mr. Travers; 2nd, Mr. Smith. 2 pelargoniums, fancy, varieties—2nd, Mr. Travers. 2 fuchsias, varieties—lst, Mr. Parris. 1 fuchsia—lst, Mr. Smith ; 2nd, Mr. Parris. 2 petunias, double, varieties—lst, Mr. Parris; 2nd, Mr. Travers. 2 petunias, single, varieties—lst, Mr. Smith. 1 climbing plant in flower —lst, Mr. Smith; 2nd, Mr. Travers. 1 climbing plant in foliage—lst, Mr. Travers, 2 calceolarias — Ist, Mr, Travers. 1 calceolaria, specimen Mr, Travers. 1 rose—lst, Mr. Travers. ;i roses, varieties—lst, Mr. Travers. 2 azaleas, varieties -Ist, Mr. Travers ; 2nd, Mr. Smith. 3 auriculas, varieties —lst, Mr, Travers. 12 New Zealand ferns, not exceeding Sin. in diameter—lst, Mr. Travers. 1 exotic ferns and allies—lst, Mr. Smith ; 2nd, Mr. Travers. 6 native shrubs or trees in or out of flower—lst, Mr. Travers. 1 orchid, in flower —lst, Mr. Travers, 2 heath in flowers—lst, Mr. Travers. OPEN TO ALL. Best dressed flower stand—lst prize, Mr. Me Nab ; 2nd, Miss Donald. Best hand bouquet (not to exceed sin. in diameter)—lst, Mrs. McNab; 2nd, Miss Donald. Best hand bouquet of native flowers—lst, Mrs. McNab; 2nd, Miss Donald Best bridal bouquet —lst. Mrs. McNab; 2nd, Miss Donald. OUT FLOWERS. Amateurs. Annuals and biennials, best collection, varieties—--Ist prize, Mr. Phillips; 2nd, Captain Johnson, G antirrhinums, varieties—lst, Mr. Bead ; 2nd, Mr. Phillips. 12 verbenas, varieties—lst, Mr. Travers ; 2nd, Mr. Phillips. 6 verbenas, varieties —Ist, Mr. Travers; 2nd, Captain Johnston. Gstoeks at least 3 varieties—lst, Mr. Mason; 2nd, Mr. Bead. 0 sweetwilliams, varieties 2nd, Mr. Travers. Best collection cut flowers, not less than 18 distinct specimens—lst, Mr. Mason; 2nd, Mr. Travers. G roses, varieties—Ist, Mr. Travers ; 2nd, Mr. Mason. 12 roses, varieties rose rhododendrons, at least 3 varieties—lst, Mr. Mason. 6 azaleas, varieties —Ist, Mr. Mason. G bulbs, varieties—lst, Mr. Mason; 2nd, Mr. Travers. 12 anemones, at least 3 varieties—lst, Mr. Travers. 12 pansies, vorieties—lst, Mr. Bennett. Collection of geraniums and pelargouiums, not less than G of each —Ist, Mr. Travers ; 2nd, Mr. Phillips. Gardeners. G antirrhinums, varieties— lst, Mr. Mckay; 2nd, Mr. Bramley. G verbenas—lst, Mr. McNab. G stocks —lst, Mr. McNab. G sweet Williams—lst, Mr Laing. Best collection cut flowers, not less than 18 distinct specimens—lst, Mr. McNab ; 2nd, Mr. Donald. 6 roses, varieties —Ist, Mr. McNab: 2nd, Mr. Laing. 12 roses, varieties—lst, Mr. Laing ; 2nd, Mr. McNab. Best rose—lst, Mr. Laing. G rhododendrons, at least 3 varieties—lst, Mr. Pegden. G bulbs, at least 3 varieties—lst, Mr. Duncan. Best collection of native plants, at least 12 varieties—lst, Mr. Brumley; 2nd, Mr. Duncan. Best collection of bulbs—lst, Mr. Duncan. Best collection of geraniums and pelargoniums, at least G of each—lst, Mr. Kay. POT PLANTS. Gardeners. New or rare plant—lst prize, Mr. McNab. Specimen plant in flower Pegden. Native plant in flower—lst, Mr. McKay ; 2nd, Mr. Bramley. Variegated foliage plant—lst, Air. AlcNab; 2nd, Cooper. 3 tine foliage plants, varieties—lst, Mr. Cooper; 2nd, Air. AlcNab. 3 greenhouse plants in flower, varieties—lst, Air. AlcKay; 2nd, Air. Cooper. Pine foliage begonias, varieties—lst, Air. AlcKay; 2nd, Mr. Cooper. Geraniums, single, double, tricolor, and bicolor, varieties —Ist, Air. Cooper; 2nd, Air. McKay. Pelargoniums, stage Air. AlcKay. Fuchsias, varieties—lst, Air. Pegden. Petunias, double and single, do —Ist, Air. Cooper. Climbing plants in flower Climbing plants, foliage—lst, Air. AlcNab; 2nd, Air. Cooper. Calceolarias, varieties—lst, Air. AlcKay : 2nd, Air. Cooper. Calceolarias, specimen—Ist, Air. Cooper. Bose—lst, Air. AlcKay. Bose, varieties—--Ist, Air. AlcKay. Azaleas, varieties—lst, Air. Pegden. Auriculas, varieties—lst, Air. Cooper. New Zealand ferns, in pots not exceeding 8 inches—lst, Air. AlcKay ; 2nd, Air. Cooper. Exotic ferns and allies—--Ist, Air. AlcKay; 2nd, Air. Cooper. Heaths in flower —Ist, Air. AlcNab. SPECIAL PRIZES. Presented by Joseph Burne, Esq. The person that exhibits the greatestnumberof new or rare greenhouseplants that have not been exhibited before in Wellington—lst prize, Air. McNab ; 2nd do, Air. Travers. Presented by Messrs. AlcDowell and Co. Best two new or rare exotic plants—lst, Air. Travers ; 2nd, Air. Cooper. Presented by A. Ludlam, H'sq. For the best collection of Conifers) shown in pots not exceeding 8 inches in diameter ; each species to be labelled with systematic and common names—lst, Air. Bramley. Presented by Alessrs. Alaslem and Co. Best two roses in pots (a set of fancy flower pots)— Air. Smith. Collections of stove and greenhouse plants, exhibited by Alessrs, Cooper and Travers, were also awarded special prizes. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. Amateurs. Gooseberries, 24, judged by weight—lst prize, Air. Alason; 2nd prize, Air. Linnell. Rhubarb —lst, Air. Helyer; 2nd, Air. Alason. Asparagus —lst, Air. Alason. Broad Beans—lst, Air. Bead. Peas, 50 pods—lst, 'Air. Bead ; 2nd, Air. Parris. Kidney Potatoes—lst, Air. Alason; 2nd, Air. Freeman. Bound Potatoes —Ist, Air. Alason; 2nd, Air. Cheesman. Cauliflowers—lst, Air. Alason. Brocoli—2nd, Air. Alason. Cabbage—lst, Air. Parris; 2nd, Air. Freeman. Onions—lst, Air. Freeman; 2nd, Air. Alason. Carrots —lst. Air. Bead. Lettuce—lst, Air. Beid; 2nd, Air. Travers. Collection of Salads—2nd, Air. Travers. Collection of Vegetables—lst, Air. Alason. Best exhibit of novelties. Air. Cooper’s Prize—lst, Air. Cooper: 2nd, Air. Freeman. Consisted of New Queen onions, Carter’s White Advance bean, Premier Gem pea, shown by Air. Cooper ; and 2 cabbages and G onions shown by' Air. F’reeman. In this class Atason’s asparagus and peas, and Bead’s peas and broad beans were specially excellent. Gardeners. Strawberries—lst prize, Air. AlcNab; 2nd prize, Mr. Laing. Gooseberries Air. Laing. Cucumbers—lst, Air. AlcNab; 2nd, Air. AlcKay. Bhubarb Air. Laing. Asparagus—lst, Air. Laing. Broad beans—2nd, Air. Pegden. Peas—lst, Air. Laing; 2nd, Air. Cooper. Kidney Potatoes—lst, Air. Laing: 2nd, Air. Cooper. Bound Potatoes Onions—lst, Air. Cooper. Cabbage-—lst, Air. AlcNab; 2nd, Air. Cooper. Turnips—lst, Air. Laing ; 2nd, Air. Cooper. Lettuce—lst, Air. Laing; 2nd, Air. Donald. Best collection of salads on tray—lst, Air. Laing. Best collection of vegetables on tray Ist, Air. Laing. CULTURE OF PELARGONIUMS. The flowering season is over of even the last batch in July, and time is left for the plants to be exposed fully to the sun for some time to ripen before cutting them down. We shall begin the description of the method of culture by some remarks on cutting down the plants which being one or more years old have maintained the bloom of the season just over. The vigorous-growing show varieties must be cut back to within two or three buds of the base of each branch. If the plants are weak, they should not be cut back so hard, because they will more quickly gather strength when they begin to grow if they are allowed to make foliage from several instead of one or two buds, but some time after they have started, these should be looked over and the weakest and worst-placed branches be removed so as to throw the whole vigor of the plant into the few that may be allowed to remain. The “faucy” sorts being weaker growers than the “show” sorts, should not be cut so freely ; three or four buds should be left at the base of each branch in these, and should they prove crowded after a time, they must be relieved by thinning

out the weakest. After the plants have been cut back they must be put in a cold frame or house, in which they must be syringed twice or thrice a day, but carefully avoid giving much water at the roots until they make foliage to absorb it. When they have started growing freely, they should be taken out of their pots and shaken out of the soil pretty freely, so as to reduce the ball considerably, cutting in the old roots at the same time moderately, and to such an extent as to be able to pot the plants in pots a size smaller than those they were in before. They must be potted firm, using pure turfy loam for them, without any admixture whatever, except it be a heavy texture, when as much sand as is requisite to render it moderately porous.—• North British Agriculturist. PROFITABLE FARMING. At a recent monthly meeting of the Stowmarket (England) Farmers’ Club, at which “profitable farming” was the subject under discussion, the following interesting items of opinion (some of which have a pith and point almost proverbial) were elicited, viz :—“ That if grass is not extremely good, it is a considerable loss, and the latter had better be under another crop.” “ Blanks in root crops should never be permitted ; beds of plants should be raised for the purpose of transplanting to the vacant spaces.” “ A weak root crop is a sure sign of something wrong.” “Silesian sugar beet may be grown up to 25 tons per acre, planted in rows 16 inches apart and 250 plants to the square rod, 121bs of seed per acre being sufficient."’ “What is the use of a farmer working 200 acres when by working 100 in a better way he can make as much profit ?” “The feeding properties of Silesian sugar beet are beyond that of any root except Kohl-rabi.” “ Sheep and pigs are the most profitable stock to keep.” “Feed has a manurial as well as a consuming value.” “ Fashion finds flats who give absurd prices for what is useless.” “ Pigs that are all fat are unprofitable stock ; Berkshire crosses with plenty of lean make the best pork.” “If you have land that will carry sheep keep all you can.” “Of the ancient tulip mania and the present short-horned mania the latter is the worst ; fancy eating a roast of beef from off an animal that cost 1000 dollars as a calf. Even the Marie Lane Express said the whole thing is a mania, an absurdity, which no practical farmer would be justified in touching.” “No profit can come of feeding stock without good buildings ; warmth is a great help to food.” LUCERNE AS A FODDER. Lucerne is by far the most valuable fodder plant under the sun, and will yet prove the mainstay of the Australian graziers, as it has been for centuries that of their confreres in Europe. Through the long and severe droughts of 1867-8, as well as last summer, the lucerne paddocks were as good as gold mines, and no one knows this better than the owner of one. At the risk of repetition, we will glance through the characteristics of this plant. It loves a deep, rich, dryish subsoil; in such land it will strike from 12ft. to 14ft., thus placing more dependence on the character of the subsoil than that of the surface. Still it appreciates cultivation in the way of harrowing and top-dress-ing, and makes a speedy and sure return for attentions of that sort. It has often surprised us that our Melbourne market is not better supplied with hay from this plant than it is ; and we don’t know if it ever comes in for sale, but we think it could be more cheaply grown, and, when established, a more certain crop than other hay. At present our oat stubbles are most unprofitable, the more so the cleaner they are. All the summer, from harvest to the time of ploughing, they are idle. Every year it costs for ploughing, seeds, sowing, harrowing, rolling, &c., from £1 10s. to £2, while a slight drought or a visit from the takeall will interfere materially with the returns. It is true lucerne has its enemies in the shape of dodder, &c., and requires patience as well as good soil and good management at the outset, but when once fit for the scythe its superior value is very apparent. After cutting it once or twice, and witli good treatment, and under very favorable circumstances, even as many as six times, there is still four months’ summer feed to be got out of this inexhaustible plant. It certainly ought to be more extensively cultivated than it is in this colony. Were the expenses now annually disbursed upon oaten hay to be spent upon manure for the cultivation of lucerne, we feel convinced that the returns would be far more satisfactory, and gathered in with less anxiety. In laying down a paddock with lucerne, the seed cannot well he sown too thickly. If in drills twelve pounds will be found sufficient, for the horse-hoe can be worked between the drills, and all weeds extirpated ; but when sown broadcast it ought to lie sown thickly, not less than thirty pounds to the acre. This, if upon cleansed ground, will enable the lucerne to smother all weeds, and form a good sound close bottom.”

FARM NOTES. An enquiry addressed to the Australasian respecting the best mode of packing bacon for the summer has called forth several answers. A South Australian says : —“ The best plan I ever adopted, after thirty-five years’ experience, is to pack bacon and hams in fresh dry wood ashes, the charcoal to bo sifted out, the meat to be packed in layers alternately with the ashes. Hams I put in calico bags as soon as the pickle has drained off, and then dried in the bags ; this prevents hoppers or the hopper fly getting to them. I have kept hajns 12 months, and bacon nearly ns long as that, perfectly free from rust.” Mr.G. W. Johnson, of Kyncton, gives a different recipe as follows:—“I have been constantly curing bacon in the colonies for the last 27 years, and have always used lime to pack it in. I am quite satisfied that there is nothing to equal lime if proper care be taken. It must be thoroughly slacked and sifted ; if kept dry and clean it can be used for several years); I have used the same lime for five or six years ; it should be what a plasterer would call ‘ dead lime.’ If fresh lime is used the bacon would blister on the rind,

and cause a froth in the pan when frying. Care should be taken to have the bacon quite dry before packing, for if damp the lime would adhere to it and be difficult to remove, but if dry it can be brushed off as easily as flour. Bacon, if carefully {lacked when dry, will not rust but retain moisture, so that it can be cut the same as when fresh, and I believe could bo exported so as to keep for a long time in any hot climate, free from insects of any kind.” That crossbred sheep are far more profitable where there are good fattening pastures than merinos has been amply demonstrated (observes the Geelong Advertiser) by Mr. J. 11. Dardel, of Batesford. Two years ago ho had a large flock of merinos, and the result of his clip was seven hales of wool. Last year, off the same quantity of land, by introducing a mixture of crossbreds with the merinos, ho obtained nine bales from 1500 sheep. This season, by gradually introducing crossbreds for merinos, with a less number than last year—some 1400 sheep —ho obtained fourteen bales of wool, nearly the whole of which at the opening sale on October 26 realised per lb.

It is well known that milk set in the usual way, although it throws up a goodly percentage of cream, does not yield up all the fat in the milk, because skimmed milk, on being subjected to analysis, is found to contain a small percentage of butter, notwithstanding it had on being set thrown up the cream very perfectly. Experiments that have been made in adding water to the milk to facilitate the rising of the cream have shown that more cream is obtained. Thus a specimen of milk was divided into two portions. One portion was set for cream, and in seven hours yielded 7 per cent, of cream. The other portion was mixed with an equal volume of water-diluted milk set for cream. The diluted milk in seven hours gave 5 per cent, of cream, or 14 per cent, more cream than it should have yielded if water made no difference. It may not be advisable, however, to use the water in this way on all occasions for getting up the cream, since water added to milk hastens the acidity of the liquid, which in warm weather should be guarded against. An lowa farmer reports an experiment in feeding 20 hogs about one year old. They were fed 2S days on dry-shelled corn or maize, consuming 83 bushels, and gaining 837 pounds in weight, an average gain of over 10 pounds to each bushel of corn, which was thus made to return a value of 504 cents. They were afterwards fed 14 days on meal, ground fine and fed dry (a full supply of water being furnished), and consumed 47 bushels, gaining 553 pounds in weight, or 11£- pounds to each bushel fed, the corn returning a value of 5S£ cents. per bushel. Afterwards they were fed 14 days on 554- bushels of meal mixed with cold water, and made a gain of 731 pounds, ox--13 1-6 pounds to each bushel of meal, the corn returning 65 5-6 cents, per bushel. They were then fed 14 days on 464 bushels of meal cooked, with a gain of 696 pounds in weight, or vex-y nearly 15 pounds for each bushel of meal, the corn retxxi-ning 74-8 cents per bushel. Experiments made at the farm of the Maine Agricxxltural College in feeding four pigs with whole corn and with raw cornmeal, showed that the feeding valxxe of the latter was 19-4 per cent, gi-eater than that of the former. From January 15th to April 18th, a trial was made with raw cornmeal fed cold, and with cornmeal scalded and fed blood-warm. The feeding value of the raw meal was foxxnd to be 4-7 per cent, greater than that of the scalded meal fed warm. During two months’ trial was also made in comparing the feeding value of barleymeal with that of cornmeal ; the value of the latter was found to be 17-6 per cent, greater than that of the former. During the month ending May 19th, raw meal was foxxnd to possess a feeding value nearly 50 per cent, greater than that of the fermented meal.

The following excellent suggestions on the subject of ploughing are from the Practical Farmer : “ Teams drawing loads on the i-oads get a breathing spell on the descending ground, while in ploughing the draft is the same from morning till night. There is a certain number of pounds that a team can draw day after day and not worry them, but if more be added, even as little as fifteen or twenty pounds, they walk unsteadily, fret, and soon tire. No amount of feeding will keep them in condition. I have many ploughs in use on which it has been an easy matter to decrease the draft twenty-five pounds, and if men had been drawing them instead of horses it would have been done. It must be plain to the farmer that every pound taken off from the draft of his plough is so much gained for his horses. It may be done in this way :—For any • soil except sand or gravel use a steel plough. Their cost is but little mox-e, anil the draft enough less to pay the difference in ploughing twenty acres. In ploughing sod the coulter does a great deal of the work, and should he kept sharp by forging at the blacksmith’s, and grinding every day if necessary. Of course it will wear out sooner, but new coulters are cheaper than new teams. Set the coulter in line with the plough, the edge square in front, with an angle 45 degrees from the point to where it is attached to the beam. When the share gets worn out it is poor ocoiiomy to use it any longer, but replace it with a new one. Let the traces be as short as will allow the horses to walk without hitting their heels against the whiffletrees, and have just pressure enough of the wheels on the ground to make the plough run steady. If the handles crowd continually one way, the draft is not right; and if the plough is a good one it can be easily remedied at the clevis. To prevent the horses stepping over the trace in turning, fasten a weight of about three-fourths of a pound on the outside of each swing]etree—that is, on the right end when you turn to the left, and vice versa. Every farmer knows that horses are susceptible to kindness and equally so to unkindness. I have seen horses that were working steadily made reckless with sweat in a short time by a sharp word or a jerk on the bit. Let your horses do their work as you do yours —as easily as possible—and be as willing to overlook their mistakes as you would the mistakes of human beings."

Flowers as a Disinfectant. —Professor Mantegazza has discovered that ozone is developed by certain odorous flowers. A writer in Nature states that most of the strong smelling vegetable essences, such as mint, cloves, lavender, lemon and cherry laurel, develop a very large quantity of ozone when in contact with atmospheric oxygen in light. Flowers destitute of perfume do not develop it, and generally the amount of ozone seems to be in proportion to the strength of the perfume emanated. Professor Mantegazza recommends that in marshy distx-iets and in places infected with noxious exhalations, strong smelling flowers should be planted around the house, in order that the ozone omitted from them may exert its powerful oxidizing influence. So pleasant a plan for making a malarious district salubrious only requires to be known to be put in practice.— Saturday Review. FARM LABOR IN CALIFORNIA. (From the /S’. F. Chronicle.) The system of farm labor in California is undoubtedly the worst in the United States. It is bad for the farmers themselves, and worse, if possible, for those whom they employ. In many respects it is even worse than old-time slavery. That, at least, enabled the planter to know what labor he could depend upon in any emergency, and made the loborers certain at all times of shelter, clothing, food and fire. The farmer must take such help as he can get—hunting it up when most hurried, and paying whatever is demanded.

The laborers themselves, knowing that they cannot be permanently employed, demand high prices, do their work carelessly, and start out on a tramp for another job. Under our system large numbers of men are wanted for a short time ; more than any ordinary farmhouse can accommodate, even if the employer dare trust so many strangers within his walls or admit them into his family circle. The result is that laborers are compelled to sleep in barns, outhouses, or in open fields. In this climate that is no hardship, it is true, but the practice leads to uncleanliness, carelessness of appearance, and recklessness of conduct. Men seem thus to have been thrown outside of social influences, and even if at the outset possessing good impulses and habits, they become in a short time desperate, degraded or criminal, and perhaps all three. The men are no worse than any others would become under similar influences. They are shut out from all the purifying of society and home as effectually as so many sailors or soldiers. What wonder is it then that five out of the six of the class of farm laborers unemployed for the half year become -worthless, drunken, and dissolute tramps and outcasts ? There is no condition in life more unfavorable to the morals of men than that which great numbers of our farm laborers occupy. They annually squander in dissipation, and generally in a few weeks, all they have earned, and hang around the towns and cities the rest of the yeai-, hunting odd jobs and living, pecuniarily, from hand to mouth, not seldom by charity. There are exceptions, we know. Here and there a man having sterner stuff or more intelligence in him than the rest, will rise above the wretched position he holds and become a useful citizen. But that system is surely a bad one that subjects laboi-ing men to such de* grading and damaging influences. And yet, bad as it is, and as intelligent farmers admit it to be, we see no present remedy. When our farms become something else than wheat fields, and are made to produce a greater variety of crops, requiring labor at all seasons, the owners can furnish steady employment to thousands who are now compelled to be mere tramps under the pressure of dire necessity. Until that time comes, we see no prospect of any improvement in the condition of farm laborers.