ses, sheep, and cattle.

* * * * *

The fourth National Agricultural Convention, under the auspices of the
American Agricultural Association, will be held at the Grand Central
Hotel, New York City, Wednesday and Thursday, February 6th and 7th,
1884. Addresses will be delivered and papers read by leading thinkers
and writers on topics of general interest, and all identified with
agriculture and kindred pursuits are cordially invited to be present and
participate in the proceedings. Delegates will be present from all
sections of the country, and arrangements for reduced rates of fare are
being made with the railroads leading into New York. The annual meeting
for the election of officers and the transaction of other business,
including the matter of a national agricultural fair, will be held at 12 m.
of the first day of the Convention.

Wayside Notes.

BY A MAN OF THE PRAIRIE.

I notice that Mr. Sanders, of the Treasury Cattle Commission, thinks it
beneath the dignity of Congress to adopt retaliatory measures against
France and Germany for prohibiting American pork products from entering
those countries. He thinks it a far better scheme to appoint a small
army of inspectors to examine all the pork before it is shipped from
this country. This might be more dignified, and after a time effectual,
but how shall we make France and Germany stop shipping their poisoned
goods to this country? Will they be equally "dignified" and appoint
inspectors on their side that will be satisfactory to our people.
Probably they would after a few months of prohibition; never before.
Dignity is a good thing, but protection to the health and wealth of the
people is better. Besides, Government inspectors are expensive luxuries,
and by no means always efficient. A fat Government appointment is a nice
thing--for the appointee, as Mr. Sanders is aware, but it is not
profitable to the tax-payers of the country to multiply them too
extensively. In my opinion the easiest way out of the muddle is to
strike back and to hit where it will hurt worst.

* * * * *

Clinton Babbitt, Secretary of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society,
is reported to have said at the late meeting of the State Dairymen's
Association that he had a very poor opinion of editors. In fact, that he
held them in about the same esteem as Ben Butler does. Now I don't
suppose it makes an iota of difference to a