to have your view of it cut off by a fence metes and bounds-"a clear manifestation of visible things." Consistence Broadbrim runs a bee-line from each front corner of his new-built house, whereupon shall stand, as well upon the street, a picket fence. His well-kept farm has thus far engaged his whole attention, for from its proceeds he has had a large family to maintain; but now, as the farm is in good culture, and the children married and out of charge, he thinks he will decorate a little; hence that front yard within that picket fence. Consistence says that good Rebecca, the wife, shall plant it. Thereupon she sets her wits to work for the most feasible and economical way of doing it. A neighbor's blush rose needs the trimming, and she gets the offshoots. She remembers that her cousin Patience Grownrusty's yard, in town, has an old lilac bush, whose uncared-for roots had thrown up a multitude of suckers; so the first time she goes to town, some of them are got. With these, and the posy bed on either side of the walk from door to front gate, the sum of her decorative art is well nigh exhausted. Consist-part of the farm can be made to pay better. The ence is an indulgent man, and looks quietly on all this transforming process in a way which reads unmistakably" what's the use?"-"extravagant!" She has a want or two unsatisfied yet. Passing their friend Benjamin's well-kept nursery on a fine spring morning, she would fain thin it a little for the good of her yard; but her good Consistence has been quite a long time making his money, and has no mind to spend much of it for show. She is easily persuaded, though an Elton or a Bartlett, costing little more than one of the hundred apple trees in her husband's orchard, would have combined beauty and utility. The pretty Norways, pines, and spruces, that stand out so vividly in the nursery rows, and which, transplanted to their own door yard-small as it is-might add greatly to its beauty, as well as keep off the hard winter winds, fail to entice them. The little yard, with its rose and lilac bushes, and its two flower beds, has not the elements for knowing better. It was made long ago. Now, Consistence is but a type of a large class of farmers whose strivings to be tasteful are as uncertain as the flesh. What I especially wish to call attention to in his case is this, that possessing, as he does, quite his share of acres, he should so grudgingly set off (as though it were a dangerous associate of the rest of the farm) only that stinted little enclosure he designates "front yard." The few square rods of ground favored (?) by this exclusiveness, give a stiffness and prudish air to the farm. The fence enclosing it draws attention to what should always be the best ornamented part of a farmer's grounds-the part which all members of the family, as well as passers, must look at the oftenest. The mistake made by Consistence involves a point in decoration in which nine in ten stumble in making their improvements--that all fences not really required for purposes of division, should be studiously avoided either on village lot or farm. A fence should be as much out of the vision as possible. With the greater number a handsome fence is of higher moment than the shrubs and trees surrounding the house, and too often answering the place of them. What more provoking than when passing a good collection of shrubbery in town, A few words as to the selection of trees. sume, before making any list of ornamental trees for the decoration of the grounds of a well-to-dofarmer, that he is not restricted in room. There is no necessity for crowding his trees too closely, as nine-tenths of lot owners in villages are sure to do; but, selecting his trees judiciously, he may give each its proportionate and necessary area, so that its distinguishing beauties shall be best brought out. Let the farmer devote two acresat least one-to trees and lawn. On two acres he may get all our native forest trees, a complete collection of hardy evergreens, and besides, a good variety of the best pears and cherries. The pear and the cherry are the only fruit trees fit for the yard. From them, varieties may be selected combining the greatest excellence of fruit and all the beauties of form and thrift. The peach and the apple do not sufficiently combine beauty and utility to admit their presence nearer than the orchard. It need not be objected that the portion of the ground devoted to forest trees is to yield its sole profit in the grass which may grow beneath them. Why not have your hickory nuts grown at home, instead of spending time and legs in roaming the woods or your neighbor's flelds for them? And there is as much difference between such nuts as you might have by a proper choice, and the average of wood-grown nuts, as would amply compensate for the pains. How few trees equalling the Chestnut as a lawn tree, and how good the nuts! I saw young Chestnut trees last summer in the nursery of a friend, whose crop of fruit quite astonished me. The seed from which they sprung was planted at the same time with nursery apple trees growing near them. The latter had not commenced bearing. The Black Walnut, too, grows rapidly in the proper soil, and produces one of the best of nuts. From the large variety of evergreens to be found in the nurseries, fifteen kinds will embrace all the well-tried-all that are certain to withstand the irregularity of northern winters without protection. Foremost among them, all things considered, may be placed the Norway Spruce, Hemlock, and black Spruce. They are all beautiful specimens of true architecture, and complete types of the two kinds of character in evergreens. For too little has been said in praise of the Black Spruce, owing partly to the fact that it has been little cultivated as yet. Its growth and size are about equal to the Norway Spruce; but it has a much denser foliage, and, with the Norway, the same association of color is attained as verdigris and French green afford. Its depth of coloring sometimes gives it rather a sombre expression. To me that very dark green is especially pleasing in the melting days of summer. In the yard of some of my friends there are specimens, the tallest of which is, perhaps, thirty feet high, with a close, unbroken foliage. They have been universally admired by tree connoisseurs. Some specimens transplanted into my father's grounds ineight years ago-trees twenty years old from the seed-are almost always the most admired in a collection of ten or twelve evergreens. Beside them the much overrated Balsam Fir shows thin and lank. The Black Spruce has been sadly prejudged by those who have gone the wrong way to work to get it. Like the Hemlock, you greatly mistake its domesticated character by judging it from its appearance in the close forest, or by specimens taken from the forest. Like most evergreens, too, it must be a thin, slow growing tree for many years, if transplanted from its native wilds: while, if taken from thrifty nursery collections, it is sufficiently thrifty, and grows thick and compact. Then there is the Red Cedar, a tree that no good collection should be without. It is often scrawny in its wild, native retreats; but it is not often so with good care in open culture. ing been but two or three days as high as 54° previously. At this date I deemed my peach trees in a fairly hopeful condition, with the exception of the large loss of fruit already noticed. April 27th to 30th, inclusive, were four bright days, with a brisk wind, which was cool except during the last of them. These four days were undoubtedly the turning point in the health of the peach. At the conclusion of them, much of the young wood was shrivelled and drying up, even to the eye, and much more to the test of the knife. The change was so sudden and extreme as to leave no room to doubt, even on the most cursory observation. The sun and wind combined seemed to have annihilated the sap of the young wood-the weather previously having been too cool to excite the roots to action. Gooseberries were now slowly coming into leaf; pie-plant was partially expanding; peach, but especially cherry buds, were here and there swelling. May 1st there was rain copious enough to make the Mohawk overflow its banks. May 3d to 6th were four frosty nights. From the 6th to the 9th, inclusive, were four hot days-the temperature on the 7th reaching 830, and on the 8th it was probably as high, though the indication was not reached. The peach broke into flower slowly and irregularly from the 15th to the 224, when it was about in full flower. This was just ten days later than usual, it ordinarily being in full flower on the 12th. While these were coming into flower they encounted three Novemb'ry days from the 18th to the 20th, which resulted in frost on the morning of the 31st. By this time it was evident, that of some five hundred trees that had exhibited apparently fair health less than one month before, full one-half were substantially ruined-some being dead (as the result soon after showed), root and branch, others killed to the ground merely, and others still having here and there a live limb. The remaining half were injured less in various degrees. Soon after flowering these was a considerable development of the curled leaf malady, though I think it was less than in 1851. It deserves to be noticed that trees that stood in the grass, and so had made less succulent wood the preceding year, were less injured. I have read several general statements of the death of the peach during the last severe winter. It would be gratifying to know whether this destruction was occasioned by an influence acting strictly during the winter, or whether, as in my own experience, it was, more properly, the influence of an irregular spring. I closed my note book a year ago, when writing on the curled leaf, in a tone of considerable confidence in the possibility of cultivating the peach somewhat successfully, even in Oneida county; but the experience of 1852 is, I acknowledge, not a little discouraging. Others about On the 14th of April I passed through all my me, with a few trees, on a heavier and less excitpeach trees, and removed such trees as I have able soil, have suffered less than myself. A tree found uniformly yielded late and poor fruit. On of mine, also, that is budded on a plum tree, has that occasion I was pleasantly surprised at the been vigorous. But it is sufficiently obvious that, healthful state of the wood and the proportion of in a climate with such liabilities, the cultivation fruit buds yet alive, especially those situated of the peach must ever be precarious. about the base of the limbs. Certainly, there had been no winter of the eight during which I had cultivated the peach, more congenial to its health. April 26th the temperature rose to 68°, there hav THE PEACH YEAR. The destruction of the peach tree this year was unusual in degree, and occasioned by an unusual cause. The hard frosts of December 17th previously had, apparently, destroyed most of the fruit buds. The winter, though unusually cold, was favorable to the health of fruit by its great uniformity. Apple trees and healthful plums passed through it safely, while plum trees that had been injured during the summers of 1850-51 by the mildew of the leaf, (in consequence, I think, of hot, damp weather,) were killed. CULTURE OF INDIAN CORN. As the time for planting corn is approaching, and being myself a practical farmer of some ex perience, I have thought it might not be amiss to state to my brother farmers, through the medium of your widely circulating papers, the mode in which I have for many years past been most successful in raising this valuable crop. It is this:I take a meadow, or pasture, on which the grass is getting thin; cover it as thick with manure as can well be plowed under; then proceed to plow about six or eight inches in depth, taking care to have every furrow laid completely over. If the ground be uneven, or not well plowed, I follow with a heavy roller, which closes many a crevice, and prevents the grass from choking the young plant, and also prevents the harrow, which immediately follows lengthwise the furrow, from disturbing the sod. After completing the field in this manner, if not perfectly mellow and smooth, it is either cross-harrowed or gone over with a two-horse cultivator lengthwise the furrow, which most effectually accomplishes the object. The ground should be plowed thus deep for two reasons. First, in the spring, after planting, and while the corn is coming up, should the season be wet and cold, the water settles underneath the furrow, which prevents the seed from rotting, or the plant from drowning, as is frequently the case. And second, in the summer, should it be very dry, as is frequently the case after a wet spring, the root of the plant penetrates the deep mellow earth to where the fermentation of the manure and sod creates a moisture that steadily forces the corn on to maturity. Corn ground, however, should not be plowed so deep as to throw up subsoil, that being of too cold a nature-though for wheat is highly beneficial. I mark my corn ground both ways, the rows about three feet four inches apart, taking great care to have them perfectly straight, that the cultivator or plow may be less liable to disturb the hills while tending it. In planting, five or six kernels should be put in a hill and covered with mellow earth-dry lumps and stones are hard things for a tender plant to contend with. Some farmers might think six kernels too many; and so it would be if all grew; but they do not always, and if they do, it is easier to pull out than put in. It is well to mix plentifully with pumpkin seed, as they injure the crop but little, and are thought by most farmers to go far to lessen the expense of raising the corn. When the corn is sufficiently advanced to see the rows, it is passed through, twice in a row both ways, with a one-horse, steel-tooth cultivator. This destroys the grass and weeds, if any, between the hill, and a few men will soon eradicate what remains in the hills. It is then dressed with about a table spoonful of composition, of equal parts, lime, plaster and ashes, which serves, when sufficiently moistened by rain, to drive the grub and wire-worm from the hill, if any there be, and hasten rapidly forward the plant. In about two or three weeks it is passed through again, either with a cultivator or light plow, both ways, twice in each row. This time, one hand with a hoe to cut an occasional weed or thistle, and to straighten up any hills that may be disturbed by the horse or plow, will do all that is necessary. When it is about, or a short time previous to, its tasselling out, it is plowed one and sometimes both ways, deep, turning the furrow towards the hill. This, with a little labor with the hand hoe, will cause the stalk to throw out its brace roots higher up, which keep it in a perpendicular position, and aids very materially in facilitating the cutting, should that be performed, or in husking, should it not. It is then left to ripen. When the ears are about three-fourths glazed, it is cut up near the ground, and from thirty to forty hills put in a shock, and tied securely at the top with a band of straw-not with grass, weeds, or a stalk, as many do-and left to cure. It may be thought by many farmers, that the period for harvesting which has been mentioned is too early to secure the greatest weight of grain; to which may be said in answer, that the stalk being separated from the root while green, much of its vitality will be drawn by the unripened ear, and bring it to maturity. Consequently, in most cases, a greater gain is realised than when endangered longer by early frost. Corn raised after the above manner, frequently yields me 40 bushels of shelled per acre; and the stalks are equal for fodder to from one and a half to two tons hay per acre. EXPERIMENTS WITH POTATOES. For several years my potatoes have failed with the rot. In the fall of 1851, I thought I would try my hill land, without manure. I took my team, plough and drag, and measured off 150 square rods of ground, and commenced ploughing as deep as the plough would go, about nine inches. The next May, I dragged it until the top was very mellow. I then took the one horse plough and marked it out three feet square. As seed was hard to be got at one dollar per bushel, I procured three bushels of very small potatoes, and all that I could find that was as large as a good sized hickory-nut, I cut in pieces and put three pieces in a hill. I had one half bushel of quite large potatoes; these I cut and planted by themselves, which made three and a half bushels of potatoes, all told.— These I planted, on 149 square rods of ground. I planted the middle of May. When my potatoes were up about four inches high, I ploughed them out both ways with the small plough, and hoed them very well; I then took half a bushel of unbleached ashes and half a bushel of plaster and mixed together, and put about one large tablespoonful on the side of each hill, except two rows through the middle of the piece, on which I put nothing. In about two weeks I ploughed them out again both ways, two furrows in each row; hoed as before, and then took three pecks of unleached house ashes and put on the side of each hill as before, except the two rows, and this was all that I did to them. The two rows that I did not put anything on, looked quite sickly and yellow, and the tops were about 12 to 15 inches high. The other tops were very large and rank; some of them three feet long. I commenced digging the fourth week in October, and dug the two rows that I put nothing on first, and got three bushels and a half and three quarts, all told. The next two rows that I plastered and ashed, nine bushels and a half and five quarts, making more than two-thirds difference in the two rows. I dug from the piece, two hundred and fourteen bushels of the best potatoes that I ever dug-not one but what was sound. The small potatoes that I planted for the embroidery, or a pattern worked in nargave as much to the hill as the large ones, but row silk braid; it should be lined with white or more small ones in the hill. The large potatoes pale primrose silk. Wide pagoda sleeves, emgave me large potatoes again. This is the first of broidered; the under sleeves have two deep my book farming. I intend to try again, and will frills of French cambric, goffered; a broad frill to tell you what luck I have. correspond is worn round the neck. Cap composed of bouillons of tulle crossing the head, with fanchon and strings of broad ribbon, which is edged with a quilling of double tulle illusion, cut on the bias; groupr of rose buds are prettily arranged at each side. EXTERMINATION OF WEEDS. My thoughts, and to some extent my labors, have been brought into action during a few of the past seasons, for the purpose of devising some efficient method to "kill out" those soil impoverishing weeds, which, by careless culture and thriftless management, have nearly overrun some of the farms with which I am acquainted. It is not uncommon to see whole fields bearing such a crop as mullens, for instance, as would have been creditable to the owner, had his ground produced as great a burthen of Indian corn? Nor is the mullen alone entitled to such pre-eminence; for other weeds are occupying the ground, and usurping the nourishment from the soil, which ought to be applied to better purposes. In my efforts, I have had in view more particularly, that most noxious plant called yellow weed, negro weed, snap dragon, and other "hard names." It is, I believe, considered by farmer's in this region, the greatest dread of all the weedy tribe. It commonly grows in thick patches, has a small stalk from twelve to eighteen inches in height, and at its top has a rich cluster of gaudy yellow blossoms. Its seeds are thin and light, like those of the parsnip-small, and of dark color. It is presumed that a smart gust of wind will carry them a fourth of a mile. Thus it spreads. I do not, however, fear the enemy when he shows his front in the open field; but when he fortifies himself by stone walls, or ledges of rock, or extends his lines along the road side, I admit him to be a formidable foe. But how to subdue him is the question. My method to extirpate this and other weeds, is to Sow buckwheat as early as I dare-on account of frost-and as soon as it become fully blossomed plough it under, and sow with buckwheat a second time, covering the seed with a "bush," lest the harrow should drag out the green crop. If the land is in "good heart," this crop may be harvested at about the usual time; if not, plough under again, and sow wheat or rye. These three successive ploughings, together with the vigorous growth of the wheat, will do as much toward effecting the object, as any method which I have tried. and if the two crops of buckwheat are well turned in, will put the land in good condition for winter wheat or rye. MAJOR.-Let us now send for Mrs. Grundy. [Enter Mrs. Grundy.] MRS. GRUNDY.-Here, gentlemen, are my Fashions and Observations. (Reads.)— DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. Jupe of checked glacé silk, very long and full. Waistcoat of worked cambric, fastened by small gold buttons. Pelisse à la Polonaise, of violet colored silk; the form is the same as that of a straight coin de feu, with a full skirt sewn on under the bottom edge, and which reaches to the top of the knee; it buttons from the throat about half way to the waist; it is embroidered up the front; a rich silk trimming may be substituted GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON FASHION AND DRESS. A few weeks ago, an order was received by a Parisian milliner for a number of dresses and other articles for her Majesty the Empress of Brazil.The commission, which is now completed, includes a court train of a very splendid description. This train is composed of light-blue moire antique, richly embroidered with silver, the patern being miniature branches of the cherry-tree and oak, the fruit and foliage of each intertwining. The cherries and acorns are embroidered in high relief, thereby imparting a great degree of brilliancy to the silver. A corsage of the same material, and ornamented in the same manner as the train, is to be worn with it. The corsage has the point in front very much elongated, and is also slightly pointed at the back. The front is trimmed with an echelle of ribbon figured with silver. A berthe of silk, embroidered with silver and edged with a row of vandyked blonde, descends in the shawl form to the point in front of the waist. The sleeves are very short, and ornamented with embroidery in silver of the same pattern as that on the berthe and the train. The jupe, which completes this dress, consists of white moire antique, covered with three flounces of Alençon lace, the latter being of the most beautiful and costly description. One of the ball dresses included in this order consists of cerulean-blue. It has four jupes figured with silver stars, and each finished at the bottom by a hem surmounted with a narrow wreath of flowers embroidered in silver. Among the other articles ordered by the Empress are two or three mantelets. One is of white silk, and is trimmed with a deep frill or flounce of silk, edged with narrow lace. Along the top of the flounce are placed, at the distance of about two inches apart, bows of narrow therry velvet ribbon, with flowing ends reaching to the lace at the edge of the flounce. The body of the mantelet is also ornamented with rows of the same velvet ribbon, set on flat. In the category of materials suited to plain, or Valencias. They have transversal, or horizontal, negligé costume, may be named some of the new stripes of the texture of velvet woven in the loom. The style resembles that of the bayadère dresses, but the stripes are much richer, in colour, and are also sometimes sprigged with a cordon or wreath of flowers. Some of the new Alpacas, grey and drab-colour, are ornamented in the bayadère manner, with narrow or dark-blue stripes, sprigged with small flowers of all colours. The same stripes are manufactured on separate pieces of the material employed in trimming the basques and ends of the sleeves. One or two poplin dresses of dark colours have just been made in the redingote form, and are or namented with a front trimming of cut velvet, or with frills of silk of the colour of the dress and buttons of passementerie. The sleeves-which are demi-wide, and have revers turned up at the ends-descend to the middle of the fore-arm, and white under-sleeves are added. Some of the richer kinds of poplin, of large chequered patterns, are of very beautiful colours. Pink and white, brown and white, two shades of brown, and different shades of green, intermingled with dark blue, are very prevalent colours for chequered poplins. These new poplins are of so thick a texture as to render flounces or any heavy trimming on the skirt unnecessary. The new foulards make very pretty dresses. Some have the skirts trimmed with two flounces, and others with one deep flounce, reaching from above the knee-a style adapted to suit the new patterns in this material. The corsages are trimmed with ruches of narrow ribbon, or with small loops of narrow mignonette ribbon set on close together, which almost resembles a cordon of flowers. The sleeves are bouffantes from the shoulder to the elbow, where they are terminated by deep frills or ruffles, which being deeper on the outside than in the inside of the arm, droop in the manner of engageantes. They are supported by the bouillonné of the under-sleeve, which ought to be very full, and are edged by a double row of loops, or coques of ribbon. A new mantelet has received the name of Victoria in honor of Her Majesty, for whom one after the same pattern has recently been made. The material is silk of a peculiarly beautiful tint; fawn color with a tinge of gold. This is an entirely new color, and is distiuguished in Paris by the name of aurifere. The Victoria mantelet is round in form, setting easily on the shoulders, but without hanging in fullness. The upper part of the mantalet is trimmed with several rows of figured silk braid, of a bright groseille color, edged with small points of gold. Attached to the lower row of braid is a deep fringe of the color of the mantalet, having at intervals long tassels of groseille color. At the back, between the shoulders, a bow of silk, having two rounded ends, finished by groseille tassels, gives the effect of a hood. The mantelet is finished at the bottom with rows of groseille-colored braid, and fringe corresponding with that describbd in the trimmings of the upper part. Dress of striped green silk. Bonnet of fancy tuscan, lined with whire. Trimming, white and green ribbon, intermingled with bouquets of roses. QUEEN VICTORIA AND THE MISSIONARY. Albert, who immediately addressed him most kindly; and they were deep in conversation on missionary subjects, when a lady walked in and joined in the conversation. Mr. Crowther, taking it for granted it was the lady he met in the antechamber before, took no particular notice of her further than continuing in most earnest discourse, pointing out places on the map, describing the various stations, &c. At length Lord W. Russell said something apart to make Mr. Crowther aware that he was speaking to the Queen of England. He was a good deal abashed, both at the presence of royalty and the honor conferred upon him. In the gentlest, sweetest manner (like a most loving mother to her people), Her Majesty set him quite at his ease, and continued her close inquiries on the subjects connected with the Church Missionary Society and Sierra Leone. They had not quite light enough at the table where the maps were spread out, and the Queen fetched a light from another table, which Mr. Crowther in turning over the leaves of the Atlas, put out, to his great distress; but the Queen (evidently not wishing the delay and interruption of calling a servant,) immediately lighted it herself, and continued the conversation, asked many questions about the African missions. My brother asked Mr. Crowther what sort of questions the Queen asked. He replied-' A devoted lady-collector could not have asked closer questions on the spiritual wants of the people, and the working of the missions.' Her Majesty also inquired about the appointment of a Bishop, and the suitableness of Mr. Vidal, recently nominated. In giving his very decided testimony to their need of an overseer, and the peculiar fitness of the Bishop-designate, Mr. Crowther particularised his wonderful knowledge of languages; whereupon Her Majesty turned to the Prince and said with a smile, Ah, Albert, you see there are other and good linguists besides Germans?' I need hardly say Crowther was much encouraged by this interview." THE ORGAN AND THE SINGING IN THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. JAMES'. This organ is one of the most convincing proofs yet given to the public of the rapidlyincreasing independence of the Canadas in the production of not only mere articles of everyday use but those, also, of a more costly nature. This instrument was built by Messrs. Warren of Montreal, and is worthy of the reputation enjoyed by that firm. Those who are opposed to large organs in churches, lest the voices of the singers be drowned and the words unheard, have nothing to fear with this instrument. The choir, composed of effective and well-trained singers, perform admirably, and their voices blend harmoniously, not a word being lost. In the accompaniment to "Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law," which is continually varied, the The following statement appears from the pen of a lady of rank, whose brother is one of "the household," and was an eye-witness:-" Mr. Crowther was at a Church Missionary meeting at Windsor. After the meeting, Lord Wriothesley Russell (brother to Lord John, a pious clergyman, and a member of the Evangelical Alliance) told him that Her Majesty wished to see him at Windsor Castle. When at the palace, he met organ sounds no louder than a flute; and it one of the ladies in waiting, who was collector for is hard to believe that it is the same instruthe Church Missionary Society, and who addressed ment which gives out the burst, "Thanks be herself to him as such, and as one deeply interested to Thee, O God." The Messrs. Warren have in the progress of the Society, and anxious to performed their task well, and we have been shake hands with him as her brother in the Lord. assured by the organist, on whom we may safeHe then passed on to a room in which was Princely rely, that he is satisfied with his instrument. |