The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-08-08
Correspondence Of TIE CaicRoaisa.


rye and barley were immense. extending over
q third more area than in any previous year.
Besides. although these cereals in May were
meaSrc and Sparsclv set in the ground. owing
to the severe fro>ts of winter. killing out 4
great proportion of the plants, the growth at
maturity, from the unusual branching Of the
stalks. was exceedingly rank. almost defviNg
the sturdy arm of the hardy harvcstcrs. In
most localities in Northern Kentucky the
wheat is excellent. while in others. where II
natures later. it has proved an utter failure.
The rust and smut have consumed the kernel.
and reduced to Il vain and heart >ickening
shadow the high-raiscd expectations Of the
laborious and confding tillcrS of the soil.
Some of the farmers adjacent to Minerva. who
counted on their thousands of bushels and an
increase of so many dollars in their Golfers.
have. after few hours cutting. abandoned
their blightcd fields, and given up rs dead
loss the promised reward of their labors. This
drawback will fall heavily upon the country.
and money in consequence will be as scarce
as pearls in the odd Granite State" \ large
proportion of the wheat is under contract
of last vcar-at 81 per bu>hcl That which
is mcrchantablc and unsold Will bring a much
higher figure. Rcapiny Machines of every
patent are extensively used here. Atkins
SclfRaker being the most satisfactory. both
in the ncatnc>> and dispatch with which it
harvc>,S the grain. and its little liabiltvto get
out ofrcpair. The history Of this invention
is peculiar and worth passing notice. Mr..
AtkinS-who lives near Chicago. the -rca,
focus Of Patent Rcapcrs. as Illinois is the
great center Of the wheat growing region il
this coun.rv-wa> an invalid. being confined
to his bed from a spinal affection. But al
though thus di>ortlvrcG. his brain was unu>rI-
ally active and wrought out the great idea that
was generated therein. till under the mcchan
LEANS hand. his Farmers Reaper and Now
cr came forth to public View. ready TO enter
upon its mission Of labor in competition with
the many other similar machines tx; had al!
ready entered the field When i was iir>,
taken out for trial. the afflicted inventor.
Al his ow, request. WIS ccnvcved along WI?
il. confcicn, of lis operating successfully. 2HG
olatcL with proud satisfaction a. The com;.lc-
ton of his grca. mental achievement II,
first experiment WAS equal to his expectations.
and the fame and fortune of III" helpless III
vcntor were established on sure bass
Now. thousands of this Patent are made Wear
". and sill the demand out>irip> the supply,
The price i 500. with the Moving attach
rcnt. or $50 without il;
When We consider the high prices paid foc
harvc>. hanI>.-S2 per day. and scarce Al
that-and the Srea: saving of -rain from The
use of machines. the value of such machine
cannot be overc>timatcd \ machine If this
kind will cut and deliver 10 the binder four
teen acres in a day. when the grain stands
fair and the ground is smooth and level; and
the saving. over and above the use of the
sickle or cradle. ii is estimated. viii pay the
cXpcn>" Of cutting.
The Corn crop is backward. but growing
with great rapidity: and if the Fall is favor
able it will Weld an average turnout of this
indispensable product. Corn is now selling
at Il per hu>hcl and very scarce at that fig
ure Tobacco is small and unprom>inS-
thoughtlc>S bugs. regardless of mans crca,
acquired want. having dcvoured the plants
wtilc vet Young and tender. Hemp is rank
and wpll-coatcd. and VIII perform well its
part il hanging any one around whose neck
the law NAV twirc its tihrcS. Let diSunlon-
lists and cut-throats take the timely warning.
Grass is excellent. and cattle. horses, mules
stock hogs. &c. look thrifty and promising.
On the whole farming in Kentucky is aprot
liable business. notwithstanding the failures
and defects to which the various crops arc
each year more or less subject.
The State election. for Treasurer. Senator's
and Representatives. and for congressman.
comes off next Monday The rival candidates
are now bu>ily engaged in enlightcning the
people. and making their calling ard clcc-
ton sure" The contest is close and heated.
The logic employed is not always eff the pur
est kind. the whi>kcv treated away not always
the best. nor the cxpcdicnt> rcsorted to II
ovcrshadow or undermine an opponent. al
WAYS the most commendab!c. An antaSoni>:
generally feels justitiable in hurting back up
on an opponent his own weapons. whether
they be lawful or unlawful ones. The rules
of Scripture have but little to do in rcgula-
ting political canvass. Rant and ridiculc,
and sometimes Sharp-Shooters. as well as fists.
are all brought to bear upon the campaign.
The great struggle between the Rotten De
mocracv and the Americans is to get pos
session of the lions share of the OldI Inc
Wings. The former are now counting this
hopeless class of citizens. with as much asst
duty and seeming love, as formerly they
poured upon their heads their overlooking
walls of abuse and indignation. In some in
stances, as in that of James b. Clay. reward
ing the "wooed and won " with official posi-
t;opc IN bnncS thorahy not only IN rnt, N