PROBATE COURTS IN MASSACHUSETTS. (Corrected Aug., 1880. Legislature meets in January, and may make changes.) Barnstable. At Barnstable, 2d Tu. Jan., Feb., March, Aug., Sept., Dec., and 3d Tues. April and June; Harwich, 2d Mo. af. 1st Tu. May, and Mo. af. 3d Tu.Oct.; Wellfleet, 3d Tu. May, and 4th Tu. Oct.; Provincetown, Wed. af. 3d Tu. May,and Wed. af. 4th Tu.Oct.; Falmouth, 3d Tu. Nov. Berkshire.-At Pittsfield, 1st Tues. in Jan., Feb., March, April, May, June, Sept., Oct., and Dec., 3d Tu. July, and Wed. after 1st Mon. Nov.; Lee, Wed. aft. 1st Tu.in Jan., Ap., and Oct., and Wed. af. 3d Tu. July: Adains, Th. aft. 1st Tu. Jan. and Oct., Wed. af. 1st Tu. Mar., and Th. af. 3d Tu. in July; Gr. Barrington. Wed. after 1st Tu. in Feb., May, Sep., and Dec. Bristol. — At Taunton, 1st Fr. Mar., June, Sep., Dec.; New Bedford, 1st Frid. Feb., May, Aug., and Nov.; Fall River, ist Fri. Jan., Apr., July, and Oct. Dukes County. At Holmes' Hole village in Tisbury, 3d Mo. Ap. and 1st Mo. Sept.; Edgartown, 3d Mo. Jan. and July, and 1st Mo. Mar. and Dec.; W. Tisbury, 1st Mo. June and 3d Mon. Oct. Essex. At Salem, 1st Mon. of each mo., and 3d Mon. of ea. mo., except Aug.; Lawrence, 2d Monday Jan., Mar., May, June, Jul., Sept., and Nov.; Haverhill, 2d Mon. Apr. and Oct.; Newburyport, 4th Mo. Jan., Mar., May, June, July, Sep., and Nov.; Gloucester, 4th Mo. Ap. and Oct. Franklin. — At Greenfield, 1st Tues. in every month, except Nov.; Northfield, 2d Tues. May and Sept.; Orange, 2d Tu. Mar. and Dec., and 3d Tu. June Conway, 3d Tu. May; Shelburne Falls, 2d Tu. Feb., 4th Tu. May, and 4th Tu. Oct. | Hampden.-At Springfield, 1st Tu Middlesex.-At Cambridge, 1st, 2d. and 4th Tu. ea. mo. ex. Aug.; Lowell, 3d Tu. Jan., Mar., May, July, Sep., and Nov. Nantucket.-At Nantucket, on Th. aft. 2d Tu. of every mo. Norfolk.-At Dedham, 1st and 3d Wed.; Quincy, 2d Wed., Hyde Park, 4th Wed. every mo. exc. Aug. Plymouth.-At Plymouth, 2d Mon. ev. mo., ex. July and Aug.; Wareham, 4th Mon. Oct.; E. Bridgewater, 4th Mo. Feb. and Dec.; Hingham, 4th Mo. Mar.; Middleboro', 4th Mon. Jan. and Ap., and 2d Mon. July; Abington, 4th Mo. May, Aug., and Nov.; Hanover, 4th Mo. June; Bridgewa ter, 4th Mo. Sep.; North Bridgewater, 3d Mon. April and Oct. Suffolk.-At Boston, every Monday in the year, exc. 2d and 4th Mon. in Aug. Worcester. At Worcester, 1st and 3d Tu. of every mo. except Aug.; Fitchburg, 4th Tu. ev'y mo. exc. July and Aug.; Milford, 2d Tu. of Ap. and Sep.; Templeton, 2d Tu. of May and Oct.; and Barre, Wed. next after 2d Tu. of May and Oct. 4 When the appointed day falls on a holiday, the court will be holden by adjournment at such time and place as the judge may appoint. COURTS OF INSOLVENCY IN MASSACHUSETTS. Courts of Insolvency in Mass. are held by the Probate Judges in each county, at times appointed by themselves. JUDGES OF PROBATE COURTS IN MASSACHUSETTS. (Cor. Sept. 1880.) Hampden Co., W.S. Shurtleff, Springfield. Norfolk Co., G. White, Newton L. Falls. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS IN MASSACHUSETTS. Berkshire, at Pittsfield, on 1st Tu. of Dukes Co., at Edgartown, on the Wed. next after the 3d Mon. of May, and the Wed. next after the 2d Mon. of Nov. Essex, at Ipswich, on the 2d Tues, of April; at Salem, on the 2d Tues. of July; at Newburyport, on the 2d Tues. of Oct.; and at Lawrence, on the last Tues. of Aug.; and on the 4th Tues. of Dec., at Ipswich, Salem, or Newburyport, as they shall order at their next preceding term. Franklin, at Greenfield, on the let Tues. of March and Sept., and the 2d Tues. of June and Dec, Hampden, at Springfield, on the 2d Tues. of April, the 1st Tues. of Oct., and the 4th Tues. of June and Dec. Hampshire, at Northampton, on the 1st Tu. of Mar., Sept., and Dec., and on the Tues. next after the 2d Mon. of June. Middlesex, at Cambridge, on the 1st Tues. of Jan., and the 1st Tues. of June; and at Lowell, on the 1st Tues. of Sept. Nantucket, 1st Wed. of each month. Norfolk, at Dedham, on the 3d Tues. of April, the 4th Tues. of June and Sept., and the last Wed. of Dec. Plymouth, at Plymouth, on the 1st Tues. of Jan., the 3d Tues. of March, and the 1st Tues. of Aug. Worcester, at Worcester, on the 4th Tu. of March, the 3d Tu. of June, the 2d Tu. of Sept., and the 4th Tu. of Dec. The Beet-Sugar Industry. WHEN it was ascertained that we were producing only about one-sixth, or possibly a fifth of the amount of sugar required for home consumption, and that we were importing something like six hundred thousand tons and more a year to supply our own wants, the question naturally came up, Why can't we do something to meet this demand, and thus free ourselves from a dependence upon importations? If the sugar-cane, the sugar-maple, and sorghum will yield us only one sixth part of what we consume to sweeten existence, is there not some other source of supply? It was found on inquiry that Europe, with climatic conditions not unlike our own, produced from seven to eight hundred thousand tons of sugar every year, or about one half the amount required for consumption there, from the sugarbeet, and it was the most natural thing in the world to ask why we couldn't do the same. It was found, also, that the establishment of this industry there had stimulated the rapid introduction of sound principles into farm-practice, and had exerted a vast influence in developing the agriculture of every country where it had been introduced, so that improved farm management was the result of successful attempts to build up the manufacture. Why, then, could we not repeat the results which had proved so important in Europe, and thus build up a new commercial industry, and at the same time infuse new life into American agriculture. It was well known that we could raise the sugar-beet in most of our northern latitudes, and many farmers had been in the habit of raising it for feeding to stock, knowing well that it contains a higher percentage of saccharine matter, and greater nutritive qualities, bushel for bushel, than the mangold. They knew that its yield was much less, and so the question constantly recurred, whether, as a matter of economy, it was to be preferred to the mangold for feeding purposes? It could be made to produce from twenty to thirty tons to the acre under exceptionally favorable circumstances, but under equally favorable circumstances the mangold would yield forty to fifty tons, and so the general conclusion was in favor of the latter, though some stoutly maintained the superior economy of the sugar-beet, and it was gaining ground, though very slowly, against its competitor. Recently numerous experiments have been made, and large amounts of capital have been raised to prosecute this industry, and to demonstrate the fact that we can produce our own sugar, without taking advantage, it seems to us, of the experience and the knowledge which has been gained in Europe, of the conditions requisite to success. The experience of many years there has worked out important problems which it will not do for us to ignore. These relate to the kind and quantity of fertilizers to be used, the size of the beets most economical for the manufacture of sugar, the necessity for a long rotation, the intelligent selection of seed, some varieties containing a very much greater amount of saccharine matter than others, and to many other points, all of which have an important bearing on the final results. We have not sufficiently recognized the fact, that to raise the sugar-beet for stock is one thing, and to raise it for the economical manufacture of sugar is quite another. Take, for instance, the matter of the size of the beet. The sugar-maker must have a small beet, while the farmer, who is growing the beet to feed to stock, naturally seeks to produce a large one. Now just see the difference in composition. Accurate investigation of beets raised in precisely similar conditions, on the same land, and with the same manure, showed that beets weighing from a pound to a pound and a half, contained 15.10 per cent. of cane-sugar, while those weighing from ten to fourteen pounds each, contained only 9.70 per cent. The former contained 2.90 per cent. of foreign substances in solution, while the latter contained 4.30 per cent. The difference is so marked, that it is quite apparent that success or failure would be likely to turn upon this point alone, if there were no others. Now see the difference in saccharine matter, as modified by the manure used, and especially the condition in which it is applied. Bects manured with fresh horse-manure yielded only 9.73 per cent. of cane-sugar, while bects from the same seed, and on the same land, manured with sulphate of potash, contained 13.87 per cent. of cane-sugar. The result is very striking. When fresh stable manure of any kind is used, the saccharine matter, in the form of cane-sugar, will be very low compared with beets properly fertilized. A large-sized heet, grown with rank, stimulating manure, will contain a large percentage of for eign substances, either saline, nitrogenous, or non-nitrogenous, and experience has clearly shown that for every percentage of foreign substances in solution, about one and a half per cent. of sugar in the juice will become uncrystallizable. In other words, success will depend on minute and careful attention to details, many of which appear to have been ignored in procuring beets for the extraction of sugar. It is evident, therefore, that if we are to expect the beet-sugar industry to be a success, the farmer must co-operate, and work in harmony with the manufacturer, and be willing to comply with the conditions which experience has demonstrated to be essential to success. Forage Crops. THE fodder question, of course, lies at the foundation of every system of stock and mixed farming in New England, and in fact everywhere else. With an abundant supply of feeding-stuffs we can increase the stock on the farm, and increased stock will increase the manure, and more manure will give us higher results, and not only maintain, but increase the fertility of our lands. It really solves the problem of successful farming. We need say nothing of the grasses. We have them as the basis of supply, and all we have to do is to give them more thought and attention, especially more manure. We may bring them to a far higher state of productiveness, as we certainly ought to, but still we must supplement them with other plants and other substances if we seek to obtain the best results. We have the root crops to help out our winter supplies, and they may be increased almost indefinitely if we can procure the labor to raise them, and provide the means of storage when they are raised. But We should adopt the plan of stocking higher, and then supplement the feed in the pasture with crops raised for the purpose, like green fodder-corn, or millet, or rye, clover, oats, or something of the kind, or, what is perhaps better, with oil-meal, either cotton-seed or linseed meal, bought for this use. Most of us have to buy some fertilizers for the want of sufficient barn manure. how much better it would be to fertilize our lands and our crops through cattle foods, especially oil-cakes. Why should we suffer our linseed and our cottonseed meals to go to England, and to be fed there, rather than to our own cattle? Is it good economy? If the English farmer can afford to buy them, with the transportation of three thousand miles added to their cost, why cannot we do the same? If our pastures are running down, as most farmers say they are, is there any surer way to bring them up than to put on the cattle and feed them extra with foods raised or purchased for this object? The oil-meals-we mention the cotton-seed and linsced, because they are most accessible contain the real essence of cattle foods in a highly concentrated form. They should be fed in connection with coarser fodder, like green corn, or properly cured stalks, green clover, millet, and other substances, to furnish the requisite bulk; but fed judiciously, they not only furnish the very best, but an abundance of the best manure. A certain amount of coarse food, like the grasses of our pastures, or corn-fodder, millet, or any similar feeding-stuffs, is requisite to create a healthful action of the organs of digestion. Such articles ought to form a part of the regular diet of most farm animals; but concentrated food is equally important in an economical point of view, and we make a mistake if we neglect to supply it. The time will surely come when we shall see that the addition of feeding substances is the cheapest form in which to purchase fertilizers to maintain and increase the fertility of our soils. Then there is the vetch. It is extensively raised in Europe, in climatic conditions very like our own, and fed green to cattle kept on the soiling system, and to cattle at pasture in times of drought and short feed, and it forms a most important addition to other forage crops. Why is it not raised here? Vetches are about as easily grown in field culture as pease, and sown broadcast with oats or rye, they furnish an immense bulk of food greatly relished by all kinds of stock, and very nutritious. There are other plants worthy of mention, but the idea we wish to convey is, that we should greatly increase our forage crops so as to enable us to carry more stock as a means of obtaining economical supplies of manure. If this system were generally adopted, and our pastures liberally aided with feeding substances raised on the farm, or purchased in the form of concentrated cattle foods, we could nearly double our present stock, and we should be on the high and sure road to prosperity. POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. The returns of the census of 1880 are not complete at the time the Almanac goes to press. It appears, however, that the population of the United States is about 49,000,000. The population of the New England States is given below. The figures are still liable to some variation, but are without doubt very nearly correct. These institutions, which are scattered thickly throughout New England, are of the greatest value to our people. They furnish a convenient and safe place for keeping the savings of the thrifty, and they undoubtedly cause much money to be saved which would otherwise be wasted. Let no family be content till a Savings Bank book is begun for the younger members. It will give them an excellent start in life. Moreover these small sums being brought together are made available for buildings and improvemnts which without them could not be made. They form a large part of the capital of the country, and it is the capital of the country which enables the labor of the country to maintain itself, and make further savings. Work, learn, save. These are the watchwords for us in New England, so shall we maintain the proud position won by our fathers, and so shall we maintain and increase our prosperity. TOTAL DEBT less amount of cash in the Treasury Total debt, less amount in the Treasury Sept. 1, 1879. INCREASE OF LONDON. $1,924,569,074 34 $2,029,766,204 56 $105,197,130 22 WITHIN the Metropolitan Police Area during 1877, there were 14,410 new houses built; and 270 new streets and two new squares, covering a length of over 39 miles, were opened. The yearly average of new houses in the metropolis, for 29 years has been 10,610, and the average length of new streets opened during the same POETRY, ANECDOTES ETC. SABBATH IN THE COUNTRY. THE creaking wagon 's in the shed, The busy flail is heard no more; The horse is littered down and fed, The harness hangs above his head, The whip behind the door. His leathern gloves and hooked bill To-day the woodman throws aside; The blacksmith's fiery forge is still, The wooden wheel of the old mill Sleeps in the mill-dam wide. Upon the wall the white cat sleeps, lie; A drowsy watch the house-dog keeps, And scarcely from his dull eye peeps, Upon the passer-by. And sweetly over hill and dale The silvery-sounding church-bells Across the moor and down the dale Their Sabbath tidings fling. From farm and field, and grange grown Το save is absolutely the only way to make a solid fortune. There is no other certain way on earth. Those who shut their eyes and ears to these plain facts, will be forever poor, and for their obstinate rejection of the truth, mayhap will die in rags and filth. Let them so die, and thank themselves. But, no! They take a sort of recompense in cursing fortune. Great waste of breath! They might as well curse mountains and eternal hills. For I can tell them Fortune does not give away her real and substantial goods. She sells them to the highest bidder, to the hardest, wisest worker for the boon. "UNOLE BEN." THERE is a spirit which I feel, that delights to do no evil, nor to avenge any wrong; but delights to endure all things, in hope to enjoy its own in the end. Its hope is to outlive all wrath and contention, and to weary out all exaltation and cruelty, or whatever is of a nature contrary to itself. It sees As it to the end of all temptations. bears no evil in itself, so it conceives none in thought to any other. JAMES NAYLOB, a Quaker, in 1660. A SEA-SHELL. SEE what a lovely shell, A miracle of design! Void of the little living will That made stir on the shore. Did he stand at the diamond door Of his house in a rainbow frill? Frail, but of force to withstand, ALFRED TENNYSON. |