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The Editor's Tour on the Continent.SAINT MARTIN'S, SAVOY, May 28.-Here, at last, in full view of glorious Mont Blanc! And as I must rest for the night at this place, I will send back a few words of the method and pleasure of my journey hither.

As anticipated when last I wrote, from Geneva, I succeeded in breaking away from the charms that so strongly bound me to that beautiful Swiss city, on the evening of the 26th, and again made my way into the realms of the French Empire; not of old France, however, only Savoy, which so lately as 1860 belonged to the kingdom of Sardinia, being Napoleon's reward for his share in the Italian war.

We could have waited two days longer in Geneva, and then have taken a "diligence," (a conveyance peculiar to this mountainous country-a sort of cross between a stage and a steamboat,) but my programme had been prepared with reference to time, as well as pleasure, and it would not wait. But what should be done? The way to Mt. Blanc was 50 miles long, and through a wild, mountainous country. Couldn't help it; time was precious; and so, with traveling bag slung over the shoulder, and umbrella in hand, the journey was commenced after the original method-the same employed by our paternal ancestor, father Adam, before coaches were invented or horses tamed,

It may have been sentimental-the idea-but, no matter, I was after new scenes, and new experiences, and so walked the first half of the distance by the dim light of moon and stars.

halt and enter. The revelers were jolly Savoyards, on their way to market, who had stopped to have a good time-un bon temp. A half bottle of vin rouge and a slice of good bread, a humerous conversation with an intelligent farmer who had taken 3 bottles too many, and I resumed my way, refreshed and inspirited.

Day-dawn found me just entering the beautiful valley of Cluses-one of the most charming little garden vales I ever saw. Rich crops of wheat, barley, and grass were bending under the weight of fruit and dew, the morning birds were carolling their sweet songs, the matin bell of the village church, by a mysterious echo, chimed its anthem as it were from the clouds, and the finger of Aurora was upon the tops of the mountains. Oh, it was a morning to be remembered forever!

Arrived at Cluses-a very little town of perhaps 50 houses immediately at the entrance of a very narrow defile, which separates two converging ranges of the Alps -I halted, bathed, slept; breakfasted and dined together, and at noon resumed my journey. The day was one of God's best-the way as enchanting as imagination could picture-smooth as a floor, shaded by trees on either side, winding along the banks of the milky Arve, and overhung by rocky ribs of the mountain, more than two thousand feet above. Near the little village of Maglan was passed the cataract of Arpenaz, which leaps from a projecting rock 800 feet high, touching but once in its way and then only to fill the air with its jeweled, snowy spray and set a rainbow of glory on its front.

Just at eve, while yet the sun was lingering upon the

with a soft and mellow light, I came suddenly in view of Sallanche, its charming cluster of white houses resting so sweetly in the far-reaching shadow of the mountain above. Another turn in the way, and there was Mont Blanc! clothed in his jeweled robe of everlasting snow

and crowned with ice that shall be his coronet while time

endures. And there he stands before me now, as it were the throne of Heaven's Majesty, the "Great White Throne" of his final Judgment! Serene and awful, let me be silent in thy presence, O Mountain of the Almighty!

Fruits! Delicious Fruits! Haven't We been remembered, though?-Verily, Editors have some compensation, if they are compelled to work

The sun went down upon Geneva in the distance, gild-mountain's icy peak and gilding the river and vallǝy ing its lofty spires with a glorious light, even after it had sunk quite behind the majestic Jura on the other side. The way was at first along the beautiful broad valley of the Arve, the roar of whose waters hastening toward the sea became more distinct as twilight came and hushed the busy stir of men, and gathered in the herds of wandering kine and flocks of mountain-loving sheep and goats. But soon the valley grew narrower, and the road began to wind around and up the side of the mountain; now affording a last glimpse of the Jura behind, now opening up, by a sudden turn, new and picturesque scenery in the Alps beyond, and anon leading the footsteps of the lone traveler across some deep gorge and thundering cataract, all the more grand and awe-inspiring for the dimness of the light by which they were indefinitely seen. The mountains, too, were magnified in their loftiness until they seemed to pierce the very heaven of heavens, and overshadow me as with the immediate and awful presence of the Almighty. Language is powerless to describe the emotions of an enthusiastic, worshipful soul in the midst of scenes of such sublimity. Silently I walked on, communing alone with Nature and God, in the solitude of his mountains, until near midnight, when the winding way led into the little village of Bonneville. A glimmering light in a restaurante window gave token that some of the dwellers were yet awake, and a boisterous laugh and a hurrah induced me to

for nothing, and to boost every laggard enterprise worth

helping. The consciousness of doing something worthy to aid a noble cause, and promote the best interests of a great community, is, of course, first; but we were just this moment thinking of some of the delicious fruits with

which our friends have favored us since the beginning of

October:

Apples-the "Cider," Seek-no-further, and othersfrom J. C. Plumb, of "Vine Hill;" all excellent, and worthy of their skillful producer.

A Golden Pippin-splendid, and weighing 17 ouncesfrom the orchard of Geo. Jackson, of Primrose. Who can beat it?

Samples of Delaware Grapes and of Ever-bearing Rasp

berries (Belle de Fontenay) from the garden of Mr. E. year and the seven cents is the interest on your money B. Quiner, of Madison-as fine as could be.

And then, a whole box of the most delightful pears and grapes the world ever saw, all the way from Ohio! These last were grown in the Columbus Nursery, and were generously forwarded by our esteemed friend, A. G. Hanford, whose taste and skill as a horticulturalist, we have so often endorsed that there seems to be nothing further to add. The pears were of the varieties known as Gray Doyenne, Swan's Orange, Belle Lucretia, Duchess d'Angouleme and others-so perfectly luscious that the mouth editorial waters at thought of them, even to this day. The Grapes were of the famous Deleware variety, and have completed the work of our thorough conversion to the doctrine of their superiority, in delicacy of flavor and tenderness and sweetness of pulp and skin, over any other grape of our acquaintance. The Deleware is, moreover, reported to be perfectly hardy; the which being true, there is nothing in the way of an earnest recommendation that everybody get some of the cuttings for next year's planting.

Correction.-In line 14, of right hand column, page 472, for "familiar childhood," read “formative childhood."

CORRESPONDENCE.

A Worthy Example.-Read, oh ye Delinquents-MR. EDITOR :-The October No. of the FAR. MER came to hand last evening. This morning it rains, or rather pours in torrents, and did so a good part of last night. In fact, it has been quite showery and very warm for the season for some days past. No frost as yet to kill the frailest vegetation. Grass grows as in June.

During the shower this morning, I have taken up the FARMER, and of course, the first thing was to learn whether the Editor was at home. I found he was thar, and quite communicative, though not any too much so. He says in one place, that he is mad, in another place, that he cannot publish the FARMER much longer unless the Farmers of the State come to his help and pay up promptly, and contribute something from their quills or rusty pens to make the thing interesting. Now, this last remark is sound, rational, and the first is about equally so, for the confession of one's madness is an evidence of returning sanity. Now, Mr Editor and Publisher, I have something to say to you, as well as you to me. I have had a dollar of your money in my pocket since the first of January last, and more than that, (for I want to make a full confession-a clean breast of it, there has not been a day from that time to this, when I might not have sent the money on its way to you, but for sheer carelessness and neglect. Now, I do not wonder that you are out of patience, and of course out of money, if you send your paper to many such as I am. Will you forgive me?But stop! do you see these two dollars and seven cents? One of the dollars is the pay for the FARMER the current

since January last; the other dollar is to pay for the FARMER in advance for 1863. Now Messrs. Publishers, I think I hear you pronounce that blessed word "forgiven.” I feel better now, and breathe easier. Now I would respectfully suggest that you entreat all brother farmers who are guilty of a like sin of omission, to take the anzious seat at once, and do works meet for repentance.

The wheat is mostly threshed in this vicinity, quality fair, quantity light, varying from 7 to 15 bushels, rarely exceeding that. A number of farmers are sowing a few acres of winter wheat, it having done well here this seaCorn is sound and a fair yield; potatoes somewhat

son.

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DANVILLE, Dodge Co., Oct. 8, 1862. [Splendid! Brother Brainard, give us your hand. If getting "mad" is likely to yield such results generally, it may be best to stay mad! What a pity good examples are not more contagious! Thanks for the two dollars, (we can't take interest from so genuine a man, and so return the stamps,) and cheers for the product of the "old quill." Now the "talent" is fairly out, burn up the "napkin," neighbor, and give us the benefit of its continued use. "They that endure to the end," &c.-ED.]

Dwarf Broom Corn.-MR. EDITOR:-Can you through the columns of the FARMER inform me where the seed of the Dwarf Broom Corn can be procured, and at what price.

Please send me the August No. of the FARMER, as that No. did not come to hand, and I awfully hate to lose a number and spoil a volume of so useful a periodical. B. B. BISHOP.

MILLVILLE, Grant Co., Oct. 13. [Last spring, Hon. M. K. Young, Senator from Grant Co., had some of the seed. Don't know who has it now. If any reader does, let him speak up. Men of enquiring minds always appreciate the FARMER!—an invariable rule.-ED.]

The Difference in Calculation.-J. W. HOYT, Dear Sir:-Enclosed you will find one dollar for which you will please give Mr. - , (of this place), credit, and stop his paper, (THE W18. FARMER.) He gave me the money, and wished me to write for him, saying he liked the FARMER, but could not afford to pay for it.

You will also find enclosed two dollars, and stamp, for which I wish you to send me the Wisconsin FARMER and the New York Tribune.

My neighbor cannot afford to take the FARMER, but I cannot afford to do without it. I esteem it more than all the other publications which I take. T. N. GOODRICH. MONEY CREEK, Minn., Oct. 21, 1862.

Breaking the Ice.-MR. EDITOR-I agree with you that farmers ought to write for their paper. Some will argue that they pay for what they get, and therefore ought not to be expected to do more. Even granting this position, which is a very selfish one, there are other reasons why he should write for his paper.

First, he will be more than recompensed by the increased interest which he will have in it; furthermore, he will be paid the second time by the diversity of opinion which he will have access to, from the fact that the example will stimulate others to follow suit; and finally,

he will be three-fold benefitted in the increased value of his Farmer-as it is to be presumed, that when the matter amounts to so much that the present volume will not contain it, the Publishers will enlarge the size of their sheet; especially if the subscriptions increase in ratio with the contributions which they certainly ought

to do.

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OUR BOOK TABLE.

OPEN AIR GRAPE CULTURE: A Practical Treatise on the Garden and Vineyard Culture of the Vine and the Manufacture of Domestic Wine. Designed for the use of Amateurs and others in the Northern and Middle States. Illustrated, &c. By JOHN PHIN, author of "Essay on Open Air Grape Culture," to which was awarded the First Prize by the American Institute. C. M. Saxton, Agricultural Book Publisher, New York. We are indebted to the Publishers of this neat little volume of 376 pages duodecimo; but as we have not yet all comment as to the merits of the work, scientifically found time to give it a thorough examination, we defer and practically considered, until some future time.

A careful and unprejudiced practical horticulturist, who has given it a careful reading, gives the following as his verdict:

of Grape Growers of the present and past century; "It is a very extensive collection of theory and practice elaborating most of the prevailing popular systems, in a very lucid manner.

But how the author, with the evident intention of getting up a very popular work, could omit even the mention, of the new theory and system of Grape Growing, called the "dwarf and renewal system," which promises such good results in simplifying the practical operations of the vineyard, is really strange.

-The persevering student of theory and practice, will read the work with pleasure and profit."

Mechanically considered, it is a credit to the enterprising Publisher. It will doubtless find ready and extensive

My good wishes to all subscribers to the Farmer, and sale. may it and they ever prosper. KINGSTON, Oct, 19, 1862.

W. A. B. BANGS.

[You are most welcome, friend Bangs, to the columns of the Farmer. Your sentiments have our cordial endorsement, and at your suggestion, we propose four subjects for discussion in the numbers next succeeding this "The most Economical Disposition of Straw," "Winter Care of Sheep," "The Parent's Duty to the Neighborhood School," and "Butter-Making in Winter."

Take your

CAUSES AND CURE OF DISEASES OF THE FEET; with practical suggestions as to their clothing. By C. H. Cleaveland, M. D. Illustrated. Printed by Bradley & Webb, Cincinnati, Ohio.

A most excellent work very opportunely given to the book that he goes to the bottom of whatever subject he public. It is characteristic of the able Author of this discusses. He cannot be superficial if he would, and he would not be if he could.

choice, brother farmers and intelligent housewives from ing his works as that they are well adapted to meet the And yet he possesses the happy faculty of so popularizamong these topics, or any others, and let us hear from you promptly, practically and pointedly.-ED.]

Honey Locust Hedge.-MR. EDITOR: How does the Honey Locust hedge prosper that was planted some three years since?

Is it necessary that tile for underdrains should be placed below the action of frost? or, in other words, will frost injure the drain, if not placed below its reach? D. C. FOND DU LAC, Oct. 12.

[We are at a loss to know what particular Locust hedge is referred to by our correspondent, and are, therefore, unable to answer the question. Possibly allusion is made to some hedge planted or proposed to be planted by our former associate, Mr. Powers, who, if he did so plant, will doubtless be kind enough to report through the FARMER. As to laying tile, there can be no question with those who have tried it, that they should be laid below the line of frost.-ED.]

demands of the unscientific reader.

In this handsome monograph of 111 pages octavo, we have matter of exceeding great value-information, which, if possessed by the people at large, and especially by the parents of families, would save a vast amount of suffering, and insure to the feet of the men and women of the next generation naturalness of form, instead of the miserable corned, bunioned, distorted and disjointed clumps upon which the present generation is hobbling its way through the world.

We know, unhappily, whereof we speak, aud it is because we have had some experience in the way of tortured feet that we so cordially welcome this admirable work and recommend it to-everybody who has or expects to have feet!

The illustrations are skilfully designed, and add much to the value of the work. Physicians, Shoemakers and People, send for the book.

Messrs. Robbins & Chandler, of Rock Terrace Nursery, Madison, Wis., Messrs. Bateham, Hanford & Co., of Columbus Nursery, Columbus, O., and A. R. Whiteney, of Franklin Grove Garden and Nursery, Franklin Grove, Illinois, are entitled to thanks for Descriptive Catalogues of stock. Men whose efforts are honorably directed to the cultivation and introduction of fruits, ornamental trees and flowers have a claim upon our cordial sympathy and friendly co-operation, and the evidences of their prosperity are always heartily welcomed.

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Comparative Statement of the business of the Company for the years 1859, 1860 and 1861:

incidental expenses,........ advertising, postage, and all other compensation of officers, printing, Am't of expenses paid, including all Am't of commissions paid to Agents, Am't of cash premiums thereon,..... Am't of premium notes thereon,.....! Am't of outstanding risks thereon,. the year,................................ Whole number of policies during ther proof,................................. Losses reported and awaiting furTotal am't of losses paid and settled, Am't of outstanding risks thereon,. Whole number of policies issued,... Office furniture and fixtures,......... judgment,................................ Aount secured by mortgage and holders for cash premiums,... Cash on hand, and due from policy) Premium notes of policy holders,... ASSETS: Total amount of accumulations,.....

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STATE OF WISCONSIN, 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.
JOHN W. BOYD,
SAMUEL D. HASTINGS,
B. F. HOPKINS,
TIMOTHY BROWN,
ALBERT WOOD,
G. F. HASTINGS,

H. H. GILES,

SAM'L R. MCCLELLAN,

G. R. MONTAGUE,
ORRIN GUERNSEY,
LUTHER BASFORD,
DAVID ATWOOD,
D. WORTHINGTON.

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9,071 89

89

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 af 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.

S. D. HASTINGS, Trempeleau County.

G. F. HASTINGS, Dane County."
DAVID ATWOOD, Dane County.

G. R. MONTAGUE, La Crosse County.
S. R. MCCLELLAN, Kenosha County.

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leading industrial nation of the world is, whether she acquitted herself worthily.

How nobly she vindicated her right to this high distinction, on the occasion of the Exhibition of 1851, the vast display of her manifold works of Industry and of Art at that time made, and especially that glorious Crystal Palace, which the poet Chaucer would seem to have foreshadowed in the lines,

To England belongs the high honor of originating the idea—or at least of giving that idea life in action-of gathering together, at one place, the representative products of the industry of all the nations of the earth. Still more narrowly and correctly stated, it was His Royal Highness, the noble Prince Albert, who, in the greatness of his truly royal mind, conceived the plan of instituting an Exhibition which should afford to the world's civilization a sure and elevated stand-point, wherefrom to survey the great Past, to gain a just and comprehensive view of the Present, and whereupon to commence a more enlightened and systematic effort for the attainment of the better possible Future. It was natural and proper, therefore, that England's vast metropolis-which is also the world's metropolis-should be selected as the location whereat the proposed Universal Ex-stricted. position should be held. The first International Exhibition was accordingly located there; and the second, inasmuch as the scheme had its organization there, was instituted at the same great centre.

This circumstance gave to Great Britain an advantage; but it was an advantage to which she was justly entitled-if, indeed, it be not true that she alone, of all the nations was competent to the successful execution of a scheme involving the necessity for so great a concentration of influence, energy and capital. The question in which she is now most interested, and the answer to which determines the share of honor to which she is entitled as the

"I dreamt I was Within a temple made of glass,"

sufficiently attest. Nor has she acquitted herself less nobly in this, her second peaceful contest with all the nations. Would we had the power to do her full justice in the account we have to give. But that is not possible with our imperfect knowledge of the many arts represented in so vast a department, with the brief imperfect notes gathered in weeks where months should have been employed, nor finally in any event within the little space to which these cursory papers must necessarily be re

To say that Great Britain, including her colonies, occupied one-fourth of the whole space provided within the vast Exhibition Building would certainly be within bounds, and we feel confident that one-third would be nearer the true estimate. Every department, from the multiform products of the mine up to the highest region of Art, was most nobly represented. In Class 1., MINING, QUARRYING, METALLURY AND MINERAL PRODUCTS,

England and Scotland alone offered a larger number and greater variety of articles than all the rest of the world. Many of the exhibitions were logically and most beautifully ar

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