The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-01-10
NEWS ITEMS. &C.


Carolina is gradually but surely tending to q
general instruction.
- An agent appointed by the Illinois
Central Railroad Company to travel and in
vestisato the subject, reports there arc in
Illinois from eight to to ten millions Of acres
Of land which arc adapted to tho cotton
culture.
81 Notwithstanding the drain to supply
the expeditions, it is said that yet over two
hundred and City thousand men arc on the
Potomac.
- Ship Tarquin, which arrived at Boston
25th ult., from Calcutta, brings as part Of
cargo, 1868 bags s,ltpetro and 4U2O bags
rice.
- Bomb and mortar RATS are being made
ut Baltimore for Gen. Barnside's use in clear.
Ing the Poto nae.
A government agent has been at Machias-
port examining the steamer Rockland, with
the view Of chartcring or buying for the
Federal service.
- The rebel army, it is said, iscomposcd
entirely Of twelve months men, whose term
Of service expires in February.
MILITARY MArTERs.-The Maine Farmer
says it is uncertain how soon tho troops at
Augusta will depart for the seat Of war, 1t
is said that limitations have been received
from headquarters that no movement will be
ordered till spring, and that consequently
they will remain in their present winter
quarters.
q During the present season, 245,272
bushels OF potatoes have been shipped FROM
Bangor, at 40 cents per bushel.
- II is stated that at least three hundred
incompetent officers of the army of the Po-
tomac have resigned since the LIST Of Septcm-
Der.
q Tho Ellsworth American says thelum-
bcrlng business on Union river this year has
been more than an average one for the past
ten years.
y \ section of an apple tree has been
placed in the Cabinet at the State House, by
Hon. Nath i G. Marshall, Senator from York.
The block was taken in December 1861 from
an apple.tree brought from Europe early in
the 18th century; now standing on the farm
of Charles I. Young, Esq, in tho town Of
York. The tree bore fruit in 1861.
81 Mr. John Chambers of Presque Isle,
lost his house with all its contents, by FIRE,
on Saturday last. The fire originated by tho
burning out" the chimney. No one was
in the house but Mr.. Chambers, who did
not discover the fire until it was too late to
save anything.
- The little ffer boy Of the 5th Maine,
who was taken prisoner at Bull Run, has
been released. lie is only IA years Of age,
and Lilliputian at that. lie is an orphan
and has friends in Bethel, where he has been
sent. His name is Freeman.
A NEw FIRx SnELL.-We sec II reported
that highly successful experiments have been
made at Meadville, Pa, with new fire shell,
the popularity of which consists in the in
PRODUCTION ola small quantity Of petroleum,
or native rock oil which is very inaammablc.
The explosion of the shell ignites and scatters
this oil far and wide, wrapping everything
in the vicinity in flames. 1t is said that the
Government has ordered trial Of this shell
to be made, and II satisfactory, they will be
introduced into the service.
g We 60 in for tho proposition. said to
have been embodied in treaty with Mexico,
for the assumption by the United States Of
the European debt of that power Of some
eleven millions. 1t would secure the con-
tinued friendships Of Mexico, deprive the
allied powers Of all excuse for seizing Mexican
revenues or territory, and get rid of the allied
fleet from American waters.-Augusid Age.
II The English papers contained recently
distressing accounts Of damage by the inun.
dation Of Egypt. caused by the extraorlina.
~ rise OF the waters OF the Nile. Many
villages have been overwhelmed. with great
loss Of cattle, and even human life. The
greater part Of the standing crop Of corn is
stated to be lost. Gnnaries. both Govern.
ment and private, have been flooded, aud II
is said there is an intention to prohibit the
further expectation Of grain from Alexan-
dIia.
ARoosrooK.-Tho Land Agent in his an
nual report speaks in favorable terms Of the
County Of Aroostook. where large portion
Of the eligible settling land Of the State is
located. During the past year the number
Of new settlers in that country has been up
to the recent ratio Of increase. The troubles
in the country, however, have retarded the
progress Of immigration to Aroostook, but as
soon as peace returns, we may look for q
rapid influx Of population into that section.
The return Of each harvest, strengthens the
confidence Of the farmers Of Aroostook, in
the fertility ofthcir soil, the healshfulness Of
their climate, and the general advantages Of
the location.