Some of our readers may wish to paste this item in their scrap books.  It cost to run the United States Government last year the sum of $251,428,117, expended as follows:  To supply deficiencies, $9,853,869; legislative, executive, and judicial expenses, $20,332,908; sundry civil expenses, $25,425,479; support of the army, $27,032,099; naval service, $14,903,559; Indian service, $5,219,604; rivers and harbors, $18,988,875; forts and fortifications, $375,000; military academy, $335,557; post-office department, $1,902,178; pensions, $116,000,000; consular and diplomatic service, $1,256,655; agricultural department, $427,280; expenses District of Columbia, $3,496,060.  The interest on the public debt amounted to $59,160,131 and the amount of principal paid off was $134,178,756.  The receipts from internal revenue were $144,720,368, and from custom duties $214,706,496.

The Minnesota State Horticultural Society will hold its seventeenth annual meeting at the College of Agriculture, Minneapolis, four days, beginning with January 15th, and with the Minnesota State Forestry Association on the 18th.  A cordial invitation is given to all persons interested in horticulture and forestry to be present.  A large number of papers and reports are to be read, followed by discussions.  These reports are by persons who possess a thorough practical acquaintance with the subjects presented, including such men as Peter M. Gideon, J.C.  Plumb, Dr. T.H.  Hoskins, Prof.  C.W.  Hall, Prof.  J.L.  Budd, Dr. F.B.  Hough, H.J.  Joly, J.F.  Williams, and others.  A number of premiums are offered for apples, grapes, plants, and flowers, vegetables, seeds, and miscellaneous objects.  John S. Harris, of La Crescent, is President, and Oliver Gibbs, Jr., of Lake City, is Secretary.

ILLINOIS STATE BOARD.

The Illinois State Board of Agriculture held a business session in Springfield last week.  All the members were present at one time or another during the meeting.  The premium list was revised for the fair of 1884.  The premiums for speed were somewhat increased over last year.  In cattle sweepstakes classes it was decided that no animals can be allowed to compete except the winners of a first prize in other classes in which they had been entered, except in the case of the grand sweepstakes, to which will be permitted animals not previously entered for any prize.

The Board is to make a laudable attempt to stimulate corn culture and to benefit the corn growers of the State.  It offers $100 for the best bushel (ears) of corn grown in each of the three grand divisions of the State, and a second prize of $50 for the next best sample in the three divisions.  The premium samples are to become the property of the Board, and the winners of prize premiums must deliver on cars directed to the agricultural rooms, Springfield, twenty-five bushels (ears) of same variety that shall equal in merit the premium bushel.  The winners of the second premiums must send the samples and fifteen bushels of same variety and of equal quality.  The premiums will not be paid until the comparisons of the premium corn with the larger lots are made by a committee of the Board at its winter meeting in January next.  The corn thus donated to the Board will be distributed to farmers throughout the State for planting in 1885.