Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-08-29

TIE CRoPs.-The Petersburg (Va.) Express
says: Z" The southern crops, as far as we can
learn, are better than was anticipated. Corn
is regarded as generally promising, and when
a good corn crop is made no fears need be
tertained of suffering for the want of food.
1t forms the bread, and indirectly, the meat OF
large class of our population. The wheat
turns out TO be much better than was expected,
but still very ehort, from the small quality
seeded lest fall. The oats crop is pronounced
on all hands TO be first rate.
Tobacco and cotton, the two prime staples
Of the South, are generally thought to present
q promising appearance. Many estimates
have been made of the probable yield of cot
ton, varying consider. biy from each other
some ranging as high as two and half mil
lions of bales, and others as low half that
number. We have lately conversed with
gentleman residing at the great cotton depot
Of Memphis, who states that the best informa-
ton leades TO the belief that million and
half will be something like tie amount. IL
1860 the crop was nearly SIX millone.
- Should the South be blessed with good crops
of cotton and tobacco, and also of corn,
may reasonably expect great rivival of bust
ness as soon as they can he brought into mar
ket. The cotton alone may be valued at two
hundred and twenty-five millions of dollars"
Nocturnal GROWTH OF PLANTs.-M. Du-
chartre has communicated to the French Acad-
emy some interesting observations on the rel
alive growth of plants by day and by night.
1t has generally been taken for granted that
plants grow most rapidly during the day time,
but exact measurements have not often been
made, and the results of the few botanists
who have given attention to this point, are
contradictory and unconclusive. NJ. Duchar-
ire made continuous observations during the
month of August upon six plants belongi ing
TO different families, and growing 10 the same
soil under normal conditions. but without any
special care. The plants were grapevine, a
lyhOck, strawberry-vine, q hoI-vine and
two varieties OF gladioius. The elongation of
each plant was measured three times day
at 8 \. NJ, at noon, and at p. NJ. At each
time of observation the general atmospheric
conditions, and the state of the thermometer
were noted
The result of the observations thus made
upon six different plants is that, with very
few exceptions, the growth between . p. NJ
and A. NJ. was much greater than between
A. NJ. and p. NJ. In many instances tie
elongation of the shoots during the night wa
double or triple that during the day. NJ.
Duchartre offers at present no explanation OF
these phenomena, and does not venture to
affirm that what was true of his six plants In
all seasons and il all stages of vegetation.
He calls attention to facts which must lie null
iplied before any general conclusions can be
based upon them, and he urges all persons In
condition 30 prosecute such researches TO act
cumulate observations tor the eiucidation o.
the the iaR of diurnal and nocturnal growth
FRICAssEBD CHIcKEN.-l suppose gentleman
can hardly imagine the CONSERVATION cx-
/ perienced house-keeper and farmers wife is
/ capable OF feeling when the stage stops
before her door some hot day IN August, and
deposits a family of city cousins, come To
spend :" vacation" in the country.
Exhausted in strength and resources By the
heat of july and hungry hay-makers, her
thoughts are busy, while trying to be cordial
in considering what they shall eat. Having
a vague idea tina. her guests have associated
with their visions of rural lite perpetual
strawberries and cream, delicious honey, fresh
eggs, and unlimited chickens, she remem bers
with dismay that currents are nearly gone
BURBERRY plains miles away, blackberries not
yet ripe, and that eggs are lew If not far be-
tween, while chickens are hardly half grown
My bewIldered friend, let give you hint
If youc old mems p=Iversely and unse isonably
want to SIT, instead of laying eggs when you
want them, you may be sure that nature ha
provided them with tat to prepare them TO q
without food during incubation, and that TIM
l is a good time to kill them. You can make
very palataole dish by cutting them IL
pieces and p2rboiling them az a closely GOV
cred pot till tender (several hours II yol
please Then remove the fowl, make a ricl
gravy II the pot, by adding IA little flour we
! with cold water, salt, pepper and butter. Re
turn the fowl and gently simmer short time
Have ready short cake made by rubbing
piece of butter half as large as an egg into
pint of flour, wet up with a cup of sour mill
and a teaspoon nearly full of salaratus. Rol
: it thin and bake quickly. then split and la
a it on dish. Place your fowl nicely upon
> and pour your gravy over the whole. Yo
: can call it fricasseed ohicken--Mary an III
". 4. Farmer.