when the train was approaching Biddleford,

he jumped up, and with face all aglow and eyes sparkling with delight, exclaimed: "Boys,

NEWS SUMMARY.

there's my father's chimney." As if by a sim- DOINGS OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. ultaneous inspiration, the soldiers all arose and sang "Sweet Home" with the effect that is sometimes produced by these simple notes and simple lines. More than one bearded man looked out of the window as an excuse to conceal his tears.

LAND MONITORS.-The following proposals are made by A. E. Redstone, of Indianapolis: I propose to build for government nine "Land Monitors," or "Engines of War," to cost $900 a piece, to weigh 1,800 pounds each, 25-horse engine and all, with coal, water, amunition, knives, etc., included in the above weight; each to be handled by two men; to discharge from each 10,000 shots in half an hour; to be capable of running twenty miles an hour over any grades less than forty-five degrees; to be perfectly manageable in turning, climbing, or descending; to clear more obstructions from artillery roads than 500 men; to reap the rebels clean by divisions; to resist canister, grape and all small shot; to engineer the advance car myself; to risk all the government can risk -my life-each man in the nation can only do this.

State and Provincial Fairs have been held in Connecticut, Vermont, New, York, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Iowa, and in Upper Canada; possibly in some other states.

The Connecticut Show is reported by the correspondent of the New York Tribune, as good as a failure, in most respects.

The New York Fair was, of course, a success. The farmers of the Empire State know well how to make their annual exhibitions worthy of the great object for which they were first instituted, and they rarely, if ever, fail. The evenings of Fair week were devoted to interesting and profitable discussions. We are glad to observe that our esteemed friend Col. Johnson, Perpetual Secretary, had returned from London in time to favor the Society and people with the inspiration of his presence.

The Ohio Fair was held at Cleveland. Attendance large, and receipts more than adequate to meet expenses. Exhibition itself reported hardly equal to that of the best years.

Indiana Exhibition of pretty much the same character as to general results.

Of the Michigan Fair we have quite favora
ble aeports in the Michigan Farmer.
The Iowa Fair, at Dubuque, was
On the Lakes, our Provincial neighbors ap-

TAXATION CAREFULLY CONSIDERED.-If we assume that at the opening of 1863 our national debt will be eight hundred millions of dollars, it will even then be less than one-fifth of that of Great Britain, one-half that of France, the same of Austria, and even the little kingdom of Holland. Our capacity to meet it is really greater than that of all these nations together; for while they have reached the limits of their expansion and resources, we are only at the commencement of the development of ours. There is nothing, therefore, to discourage us in the expectation of a happy "issue out of all our troubles." We may look cheer-pear to have done remarkably well. But they fully at the taxation which we are about to have no stupendous rebellion on their hands, encounter, and adopt the philosophy of an and other things being equal, ought to have Irish member of the House of Commons, who excelled. The Canadian Agriculturalist for said that the "true way of avoiding danger was to meet it plump."-N. Y. Evening Post. October rejoices in these terms: "The Seventeenth Annual Show of the Agricultural Association of Upper Canada was held in the city of Toronto, Sept. 23d-26th. The weather throughout being delightfully fine, and the ca

A GOOD RETORT.-The Toledo Commercial gives the following good retort:-"The other day, as a number of rebel prisoners were being shipped at Sandusky for the traitor's home on Johnson's Island, a little German made himself quite prominent with his noisy remarks about the Secesh. One of them, a brawny six footer, turned savagely upon him and said,

We eat Dutchmen down South." "Vy den you no eat Sigel?" was the instant retort.Secesh had no reply to give, but passed sadly

on.

pacious grounds affording ample space for the

large amount of Live stock, implements, &c., together with the immense crowds of visitors, the recent Exhibition may be pronounced not only a decided success, but upon the whole, superior to any former occasion."

County Fairs in Wisconsin have succeeded better, in the main, than was anticipated-It was on my programme to attend the Kenosha County Fair this past week, inasmuch as I might serve the interests of the FARMER, and witness the manifestations of in

by a majority of those most interested. The weather was unfavorable in a number of instances, but the spirit and energy of managers seem, in most cases, to have overcome this em-dustry and enterprise, which our County Fairs barassment. Among these not hitherto mentioned, of which we have seen favorable accounts, we have pleasure in mentioning Green Lake, Iowa, Monroe, Outagamie, Calumet, and Kencsha.

and some Red Durhams, new to me, by Dr. Paddock, Salem. There were a few French Merino, and a large and handsome exhibition of Spanish Merino Sheep. Our friend Richard Richards, of Racine, had some of the finest specimens of Spanish Merino Sheep, which it has been our good fortune to see. I observed that the show of horses was large, there being nearly 100 entries in this department.

In the department of Farm Implements, the exhibition was entirely creditable. Some handsomely finished plows were exhibited by Messrs. P. H. Wood, Kenney, and others, and seemed to attract much attention. A Mower manufactured at Kenosha, a Drill from Horicon, and other implements made up the show in this department.

to have been almost a failure. Even in Dane County, famous as furnishing the largest aggregate yield of any county in the State-if not indeed, of any county in any state-some of the farmers have scarcely recovered their seed. In other portions of the State, especially farther north, the crop has been quite fair. A farmer of Pierce County-Pierce, the Banner county, we mean!-reports an average yield of but little, if any, less than 20 bushels per acre.

There is very general complaint of the potato rot, and some producers of this crop are almost entirely losing the fruits of their labor.

Prices are advancing, and are now quite remunerative. The following quotation is from Milwaukee papers:

The Ladies' Hall was well stocked with the handiwork of skillful fingers. It was the gen-wheat, in active demand at 891c.

"Milwaukee, Oct. 29.-Flour, shade better;

"Shipments-119 bbls. flour; 44,000 bush.

eral opinion that this department excelled.
The ladies bore their part handsomely in this wheat.
exhibition.

"Freights-nominally 16c on wheat to Buf

Everything the farmer has on hand is likely to yield large returns in the future, until the close of the war.

In the Fruit, Grain and Vegetable depart-fato." ment, the show was very creditable. We had occasion to notice some large sweet potatoes, which would have been palatable, doubtless, if baked. This county generally makes a good show of fruit; but I was informed that the exhibition in this department was inferior to former years.

To the fine quality of Capt. Gilbert's wines, those who tasted can fully testify.

In lieu of the Annual Address, several gentlemen representing the Pulpit, the Bar, and the Press, whre called up into a lumber wagon and entertained the crowd with spicy remarks. During my visit to this part of the county, I was hospitably entertained at my friend Holt's, whom I found to be a liberal gentleman, and surrounded by a pleasant family. PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Sept. 28, 1862.

STATE MATTERS.

C.

The Crops have come in better in some localities and worse in others than was expected, as a result of the final reckoning.

Wheat, in the southeastern part of the State, and in many other parts of Wisconsin, seems

Yes, "our flag is still there!" but that is about all we can say of the war. Gen. Rosecranz has made a good fight at Iuka, Miss., and scooped out the enemy; Gen. Buell-now su perceded by Gen. Rosecranz, thank God!-has barely succeeded in keeping Kirby Smith & Co. from eating up the whole of Kentucky; and "all is quiet on the Potomac." That is all.

[Prepared for the Oct. No., but crowded out.] The Editor's Adventures in Virginia

For details of the battles at Iuka, and Sharpsburg, in both of which Wisconsin troops were engaged, and did nobly, we have not space in Glimpses of Guerilla Warfare in the

this number.

EDITORIAL MISCELLANY.

Thanks and Apologies.-On looking over a large quantity of papers accumulated during our absence, we have found a few reports of the proceedings of County Agricultural Societies, intended for publication. We regret that they should not have been published, as it is our desire to accommodate all such associations in this and every other manner possible. County Societies and Town Clubs will always find the Editor of the FARMER prompt and cordial in matters of this sort. Give us condensed statements of your operations, meetings, discussions, &c.

Can't Do It.-Communications are not unfrequently addressed "To the Editor" which should be sent to the Publishers. The Editor is a very clever fellow, but he sn't willing to convert his reading pages into an advertiser-not even for his best friends. Those who have wares to sell will please notice that there is a special department generously appropriated by the Publishers to the exclusive advantage of communications of that sort. Occasionally when in a good deal of a hurry the Editor gets caught by these sharpers, but he never means to be. Not that he is alone anxious not to defraud the Publishers, but likewise that the dignity and high character of his Journal may be preserved.

Mountains-Cavalry Charge," &c.—On arriving in New York, we found dispatches containing the sad intelligence of the serious accident to Mrs. H., of which a substantially correct account was given in the August number of the FARMER. Our plan had been, first, to dash directly on to Wisconsin, straighten up our

long neglected business, help put the Fair through, (not having learned that the State was to have none,) and then go to Virginia for our better self. "Man proposes, God disposes." So in this case.

Mrs. H., feeling, probably, that the family should do something for the country in a more direct way than by industrial service, had made a charge upon the enemy, [such is the humorous view we permit ourselves to take of the affair, now that she is quite out of danger,] and been severely (perhaps mortally,) wounded! Leaving all business, therefore, to take care of itself. we took the first available train for Baltimore, and thence over the Baltimore & Ohio R. R., made our way as rapidly as possible to Webster, (a little town near the junction of the Parkersburg and Wheeling branches,) where Col. Hall, the gallant commander of a portion of the Virginia Tenth, and temporary commandant at Beverly, had kindly proposed to have an ambulance and cavalry guard in waiting

to escort us within his lines.

Nearly a month had elapsed since the sad injury to Mrs. H., and the uncertainties of the whole affair left us in a state of anxious suspense, by no means favorable to making observations by the way. Still, we were not altogether oblivious of the condition of the road and of the coun

try through which we passed. Nothing in Maryland worthy of particular note-sour faces, and anti-Union mutterings not uncommon.

Harpers Ferry we had never seen, and so occupied the twenty or thirty minutes of our stop in exploring the

Health of Mrs. Hoyt.-In general response to numerous enquiries as to the condition of Mrs. H., since the sad injury of last summer, we are most happy in being able to report, that she is steadily regaining her accustomed strength, and that her recovery is likely to be entire. She is now in Kansas, whither she was constrain-town and noting the great natural defences of the place. ed to go, though hardly strong enough for so long and perilous a journey, by the dangerous illness of her mother. It is expected that in early December, she will again be with us, in Madison.

There were the wrecks of the old arsenal made memorable by the seizure of Old John Brown, and of several other buildings, at different times destroyed, since the beginning of the war. There, too, was the wreck of the old railroad bridge, torn down and burned by the rebels, with the new iron one almost completed (since also destroyed and again rebuilt) and the remnants of fortifications on the surrounding hills. Considered as to its nat

The University Commercial School.-We are pleased to learn that this excellent institution continues to flourish notwithstanding the hard times. The course of instruction is full and thorough, and the expen-ural position, Harpers Ferry is certainly one of the ses are about one-fourth less than in any other similar institution of which we have knowledge. Gentlemen or Ladies desiring to acquire a mastery of the science of book-keeping and its collaterals can hardly do better than to attend the University Commercial School. Address D. H. Tullis, Esq., Madison.

If any of our patrons who subscribed through us for The Independent last spring, are not receiving their paper according to published terms, they will please notify us.

strongest places we have ever seen, and, if manned by brave men, is capable of defence against very great odds. All along the line of the road, deadened trees, half-destroyed fences, charred timbers, and blackened railroad ties gave unmistakeable evidence that fierce, destructive War had raged wherever there was anything to be defended or destroyed. The road itself—always one of the best and best managed in the country-has suffered terribly, and but for the energy of such men as Superintendent Smith and other able, untiring officers, aided by

the Government, must have been utterly abandoned long cavalry. But the train was too precious to be run the since.

and escort were not there.

risk of being "bagged," and must have a competent guard. We accordingly accepted the title of " Colonel," re-examined our side-arms, buckled on a sword kindly presented us for the occasion, mounted a bold, dashing young charger, and were ourself guide and guard!-conducting the whole party safely over Rich mountain,-the scene of McClellan's first battles-and through deep, wild gorges, some thirty miles to Buckhannon; thence by the same means rf transportation, the following day, thirty miles further to Clarksburgh, on the lower branch of the B. & O. R. R.

IN A QUANDARY-GETS PLUCKY! Arriving at Webster, we were not a little perplexed as to the continuance of our journey; for the ambulance The fault was ours, and not the Colonel's, as we had sent to the wrong place the telegram which was to notify him of our coming. But there we were, nearly fifty miles from our destination, with mountains, forests, and numerous bands of guerillas between. To hire a horse was impossible, as it was quite sure to be captured. Company was equally out of the question, as none of the citizens happened to be in a It is very likely that uur liability to be bushwhacked mood for being shot. Should we wait a week and finally at every step and any moment somewhat enhanced the secure a guard from Beverly? or should we hazard the savage appearance of these mountains and gorges, but we journey on foot and alone? The latter course was are: nevertheless, sure of never having seen any portion promptly decided upon; and so, after seeing that our pow- of country in this or any other land half so squally lookder was dry, we trusted to Providence and went ahead-ing as that! True, here and there was a cabin with a making 27 miles before dark, (it was 10 a. m. when we small patch of cultivated land, but the swarthy, sinister started) with no other dis aster than that of being arrest-faces of the settlers contributed but little to our assured by a Union picket and taken a half mile out of our ance of safety. way to the head quarters of a little band at Phillippi, and of being compelled to stop at a secession house over night.

From Clarksburgh the way to Harrisville-the old residence of Col. H.-was safe and comparatively easy, and, in the evening of the third day of our journey, we rested-in the language of McClellan, after the battle of Antietam,

In the early morning, we crossed over Laurel mountain, and after successfully dodging sundry guerillas, and run-breathing freer. ning the gauntlet of a Union camp, without a pass, at 11 o'clock reached Beverly in safety.

AGRICULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

Mrs. Hoyt's injury had even been more dangerous in oharacter than we had imagined. The fall had been upon the solid rock of the rough and stony way over which her fiery steed had carried her for more than half a mile in his fierce pursuit of the foe, and it is still the wonder of all who witnessed the accident that she was not instantly killed. But, thanks to a kind Providence, to the skill of her excellent surgeon, and to the gallant devotion of the noble band of Ringold Cavalry, (God bless them!) who, dismounting by tnrns, tenderly carried her, upon an extemporized "stretcher," over the mountains, across swollen streams-and all the way through the severest rain storm of the season-a distance of thirty-one msles, take a high industrial rank among the States. to a Union house, she still lived, and was slowly recovering from the effects of the terrible shock. She was not yet able to travel, however, and we had no alternative but to wait for returning strength.

Rough and mountainous, as compared with Wisconsin or any of her sister states, Western Virginia, nevertheless, has large agricultural capabilities. The soil of the valleys is, of course, highly fertile, and the heavy crops growing here and there upon the tops and the slopes of the mountains indicate that even the poorest soil is capable of yielding good returns with proper tillage. At present the agriculture of Virginia is, naturally, in a wretched state-weeds and brush having pretty much their own way. But when the war is ended, and slip-shod, ignorant traitors have given place to wide awake, intelligent loyal white men, this new and redeemed commonwealth will

Meantime the programme of Jackson to invade the Border and Northern States, was being initiated, and the Guerrillas, "bushwhackers," and devils generally, were becoming more and more audacious and atrocious-stealing, robbing, burning, and murdering Union men whereever found. Moreover, Beverly, with its small force of but five or six hundred men and two cannon, was threatened by Imboden and two thousand desperadoes. Wo remained until they approached within twenty miles, and then, getting all the ladies of the officers and their families into wagons, prepared to "skedaddle."

TURNS COLONEL!

The post was already too weak for the enemy, and we consequently declined the gallant offer of an escort of

The Farmer's Duty at the Polls is: First, to cast an intelligent, conscientious, patriotic vote; secondly, to induce his weak-kneed, party bound, or uninformed brethren to do the same; and, thirdly, to get everybody to subscribe for the FARMER! Let no man neglect his duty.

The Farmer for 1863.-We hear all the friends of the FARMER are preparing to do all in their power to extend its circulation the coming year. See Prospectus and let us early have the fruits of your good help.

Communications from Jas. Moore, A. G. Hanford, Geo. P. Peffer and others, received too late for insertion in their proper place, will be laid over until the next number.