DDDDDDDDDDDDaDDanDDDDaDDDDDDDnnD D D D D D D D a D D a D D D D D D D D D D D D a a D D n D D D □ D D D D D D D D D D D D D D n D D D D '^f«si UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LIBRARY SPECiAL COLLECTIONS D D D D D D D D D D n D D D D D D D D D D D D D a D D D D D D a D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D n D D D D D D □ nnDnDDannnnnDDDnDDDnDDDaanaaDnDa \Aui\rM\] r- r iS fufii it. wui; l/iAbb. THE INJ^ A MONTHLY JOURNAL DEVOTED TO' AGPiICULTURE & HORTICULTURE, DOMESTIC AND RURAL ECONOMY. ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS OF FARM BUILDINGS, IMPLEMENTS, DOMESTIC ANIMALS, FRUITS, FLOWERS, SHRUBS, &o. ESTA.BLISHED IN 1831. VOLUME XIX., SECOND SERIES. -1858. ROCHESTER, ]^. Y. : JOSEPH HARRIS, FUilLISHER AND PROPRIETOR, TALIVIAN BLOCK, BUFFALO STREET. 1858. / Cy . a -^ f INDEX TO VOLUME XIX. j» gricultural books, American, 109, 142, 171 — Fair, County, Monroe, 301 Provincial, (C. W.) 831 Siate^ Illinois, 302 — — Indiana, 333 New Jersey, 302 '-— New York, 339 Ohio, 302 Pennsylvania 332 St. Louis, 800 — humor, 162 — imple-nents in England, 857 — library, advantages of an, 20 circulating, 131 — literature, 59, 82 — papers 82, 154 local,. 375 — schools, 161 — science, John Johnston vs., 368 — Society, fair of the Eoyal 2.73 N. T. State, annual meeting, 103 United States, annual meeting, . . 68 Agriculture, American, an English view of, 233, 273 needs of, 803, 835 — as a profession, 120, 153 — in the west, 53 — in Western Virginia, 81 — progress in, 15 — Roman. 78 — scientific, 361 — thoughts on, 180 Ague, cure for, 79 Alpaca, the, 149 Analysis of soils, 55, 77 Analysis of soil analyses, 44 Animals, kindness to, 212, 305 — teazing— caution, 312 Appeal to young men, 250 Apples and pears of Boston market, . . 350 — great crop of, 369 Apple orchards, best soil for, 61 plant, 318 pruning and cultivating, 190 — tree, a profitable, 237 borer, 373 caterpillar. 257 — trees, planting;, 69, 316 Artesian wellg, 55 Ashes as manure, 116 — for corn, 273 — on clayey soil, 69 Asparagus, cultivation of, 90 B Bark lice, to destroy, 182 Barley, experiments on, with different manures, 169 — Siberian, 131 — winter, cultivation of, 270 Barn, a "Western New York, 118 Barn-door fastener, cheap, 18 Barn-yards, construction and arrange- ment of, 216, 2.38 Barometer, value of the, 249 Basswood bark, to prepare, 163 Beans as a field crop 177 — cultivation of, 242, 273 — Lima, 84, 156 Bean straw as food for sheep, 218. 240, 273 Bees, food of, 67 — management of, 211, 345 Beet seed, sugar, raising 34 Big-head, &c., remedy for, 151 Blackberries, 124 — in Iowa, 347 Bogs, reclaiming and management of 85 Sones, dissolving, 172, 205, 227 BOOKS : Allen's American Farm Book 109 American Farmer's Cyclopedia. . . 109 Bov 8 nngault's Rural Economy, — 103 Cyclopedia of Commerce and Com- mercial Navigation, 291 Dairy Farming, 824 Domestic Animals, 358 Elements of Natural Philosophy.. 878 Fassenden's CompJ^ Farmer and Gardener 109 Field Trial of Reapers, &c., 162 Hadji in Syria, ^.... 377 Hedgi 8 and Evergreens, 132 History of Frederick the Great, ... 378 Hooper's Western Fruit Book,. . . . 162 In and around Stamboul, 377 Johnston's Agricultural Chemistry, 142 Johnston's Elements of Agricul- tural Chemistry and Geology, 142 Life of Summcrfield, 228 Lite Thoughts, 162 Lives and Times of the Chief Jus- tices of the United States, 228 Livingstone's Travels, 163 Meadow Brook 228 Nash's Progressive Farmer, 172 Pear Culture, 261 Pearls of Thought, 228 Self-made Men, 378 Soil Culture, 261 Siockhardt's Chemical Field Lec- tures, 143 Story of the Telegraph, 333 Thaer's Principles of Practical Ag- riculture, 109 Text Book of Vegetable and Ani- mal Physiology, 824 The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, 878 The Coopers, 324 The Farm 260 The Garden; 16;^ The New American Cyclopaedia, 162 291 The Stratford Gallery, 377 Border and bedding plants, 157 Bets, cure for 209, 248, 278 Breaking colts, 21, 50, 310 — steers, 25 Buckwheat, crops after, 112 — injurious to pigs, 377 — for a sod crop, 56 Buildings and fixtures for a hundred acre farm 213 Butter, coloring, 219 — how to make bad, 175 — making, 79, 214, 307 and packing down for winter use, 82 winter, 57 — the good sells the bad, 175 Cabbage, cultivation of, 92, 121 Calf, a fine 131 Calves, feeding, 188, 205 — four in eleven months, 278 — lice on, 116, 147 — wintering, 364 Canada thistles, destroying,.. 24, 114, 145 Carnations, impregnating, 260 Carrots, short-horn, 87, 122 Castor beans and ground moles, 120 Caterpillars, apple tree, 257 — gooseberry and currant, 223 Catterpillars on fruit trees, 101, 159 to destroy, 192 Cattle, African 278 — Devon, 69 — experiments in feeding, 86 — fattening in winter, 28, 53, 76 Cattle, feeding com stalks to, 214 in winter, 118 — keeping in sheds the whole year, 217, 277 — poisoned by paint, 67 — rack lor feeding, 182 — salt in feeding 333 — stalls, John Johnston's, 306, 835 Cauliflowers, H Cellar for a farm-house, 219 Cement cellar bottom, to make a, 246 — for stopping leaks, 2.S9 Cereals— do they destroy nitrogen, 202 Cheese from few cows, ... 33 — to preserve from flies, 279 Cherries from seed, 250 Cherry, best soil for the, 64 — trees dying in Ohio, 817 Chess, 57 Chickens, a word about, 1 29 China berries 182, 146 Chinese hogs, 163 — potato, 68, 338 — sugar cane in France, 851 Iowa, 56 Chip manure, 181, 195 Cholic in horses, cure for 52, 243 Churning milk vs. churning cream, 214, 237 Clay soils, pulverizing heavy, 24, 51 Clean culture, 207, 241, 279 Cleanliness at home, 94 Clearing bush land, 181 Clover cutting and curing, 26, 148 — plowing in for manure, 174 — seed, raising, gathering, and clean- ing 25 Clubs, farmers', 18, 50 CofiTee, hints to lovers of, 874 College, Michigan Manual Labor, 17 Colts, breaking, 21, 50, 810 — wintering, 364 Composts, making, 240 — muck in, 67 Cooking food for stock, 52, 215, 334 Corn, applying artificial manure to, 207, 237 — Ashes for, 273 — crop, largest of the age, 339 — Dutton 148 — experiments in feeding cooked vs. raw, ; 180 growing, 188, 174, 205 — fields, seeding to grass, 209 — fodder, curing, 346 — for export, 362 — good culture for, 15 — growing, 117 — grubs,. 209 — in Indiana, 370 — large yield of, 245 — potatoes in rotation with, 811 — test vour seed, SO — the large Ohio Dent, 869 — travel, 183 — vs. root crops, 144 Corn-tops for fodder, curing, 313 Corn-stalk fodder, rack 117 Corn-stalks and mad-itch, 14fi, 181 — feeding to cattle, 214, 239, 313 Cottages, laborers'— farmers' wives, 16, 50 Covering half-hardy plants, 287 Cows, how to conquer vicious, 346 — bad, made profitable, 844 — blanketing in winter, 21 — dairy, best pastures for, 25 management of, 82 wintering, 23, ,50 — kicking,. 243 — milking, in winter, 2i8 young, 116 — New York distillerv, 206 — stalls for, 54 1 Cranberries, cultivation of, 31 INDEX TO VOLUME XIX. Crops; adaptation of, to soils, 241 — after buckwheat 112 — in Canada West 811 Northern Illinois, 67 — plant a variety of, 7S Cucumbers, 155 Curculio 234 — tobacco and the, 191 — to destroy the, 191 Cutting up meat in the London market 11 Cut-worms and lettuce, 106 Dahlias, winter care of, 316 Dandelions, to kill, 290 Decayed tree, remedy for a, 88 Devon cattle, 69 Diseases of the horse, 151, 226, 243 Ditches caving in sandy land, to pre- vent, 278 Domestic duties, 93 — animals, kindness to, 212, 365 Don't attempt too much, 241 Drainase, natural and artificial,. . . 41, 76 Drain tiles, how does water get into. . . 184 Draught of plowing at different depths, 44 Duties of a farmer's wife, 83 landlord and tenant, 60 Dutton corn, 148 E Egg plant, large purple, 191 European weeping ash, 2S1 Evergreen seed, s"owing, 69 Evergreens, transDlantimr... . 31, 144, 286 Experiments in feeding cattle, 86 feeding cooked v"s. raw com, 180 — on barley, with different manures, 1 69 corn 138, 174, 205 hedging with osage orange, 123 potatoes with artificial fertilizers, 105 — the Kothamsted, ] 73 — with salt, ashes, and plaster, 2S9 Fancied facts 119 Farm, a hundred acre, buildings and fixtures for, 218 stock for, 213 tools and implements for,. . 214 — a Missouri, 247 — girls ol New Ensrland, 321 — I)romium of the Empire State, 187 — prize of Long Island, 201 — products, variety of, 52 Fanner, an extensive, 176 — the life of a, .'."...' 153 Farmers' clubs, 18, 50 — daughters, American, 2SS — debating societies, 15 — homes, adorning, 212, 282*, 866 — wife, what are the duties of a, 33 — wives and daughters should write for the Genesee Farmer, 83 Farmers, eastern, wanted in Iowa, 312 — trctful 845 — how can they elevate their calling,. 60 Farm-house, cellar (or a, 219 — plan of a, 184, 18.5, 344 Farming as a profession 120, 1.53 • — economy in, 119 — in Georgia, I44 Kentucky, 269 Michigan, 269 Texas, 211 Virginia, 270 — profits of, 248, 278 — to make profitable, 248 Farm-life, how to make, attractive,... 866 Fatting cattle in winter, 28, 53, 76 — hogs in Indiana, 246 — sheep in winter 52, 59, 85, 245, 250 Feather beds, making and preserving, 93 Feeding calves, 183, 205 — cattle, experiments in, 86 in winter, US racks for, 1S2 — hogs .!'.'.'.!!'.'..'! 313 ^ fixtures for, 117 — out corn-stalks 214,' ogg, ,313 Fences, rail, cost of, 241, 305 — stone, 28, 51, 151 Fencing ISl Ferret, the — destroying rats 50 Fire-wood when to prepare for winter, S3 112, 17S Fistula in horses, cure for, 243 Flax, cultivation of, 108 Fodder, curing corn-tops for, 813 Foddering stock, 53, 78, 118 Fodder-rack, 117, 182 Food, cooking, for animals, 52, ISO Foot-evil in horses, 151 Foot-rot in sheep, 244 Founder, cure for, 5.5, 243, 245 Frnit, Committee's Report of the Mass. Ilort. Society, 123 — consumption of, 95 — crops, failure of the, 251, 2T3, 280 — culture 186 profifs of. 66 — growers and societies, 98 Association, Western N. T. .. 61. 2.53 — how to keep ants off, .' 8,58 — in New Jersey, 251 — stealing, 220,287,319 — trees, best season for transplanting, 317 *^ caterpillars on 101, 1.59 cultivate the soil about, 191 how to prune in autumn, 853 manure for 17 — — on the roadside, 349 planting, 66, 244 winter protection of, 348 Fruits and vegetables at Buffalo, 239 — in France 351 — small, cultivation of, 372 — vs. flowers, 2154 G Garden beds, spading, 2^5 — laying out a. 2.54 — memoranda, foreign, 3.50 — vegetable, the farmers' 121 Gardening book, Mr. Glasse's, 352 Gardens, shelter for, .32 Geese, raising and picking, 214 Genesee Farmer; ladies, write for the. 193 value of the, 37 what is said of the, 63, 258, 376 who started the, 161 Geraniums, how to keep, over winter, 3.53 Gooseberry and currant caterpillar, . . . 223 — mildew, 284 Grafting wax, 290 — younsT trees, 100 Grafts from dwarf pear trees, 227 Grain, best time for cutting 26 — exports, decrease in, 339 Grape borders, plants for, 99 — (latawba, rot of the, 823 — cultivation of the, 63 — Growers' Association, ,356 — mildew and rot of the, 95, 124, 127 —trellises, wire for 191 — vines, grafting old, 290 Grapes l>est adapted to Western New York 64 — cultivation and preservation of, 64 in theopenaii, 89, 124 — Isabella, export of, to Canada 369 preserving through the winter,.. . 323 — picking and preserving, 317 — summer pruning, 290 Grass, couch, look" to the, 179 — culture, 206 — four crops of, in one season, 389 — land, management of permanent, . . 26 51, 179, 2115, 237 — or grain, cutting by machinery, 27, 115 144, 147', IS.3. 210 — regions, growing wealth of the, 339 — seeding com fields to 209 — seed, sowingin the fall,... 148, 174, 813 — seeds, sow a variety of, 56, 76 — Timothy, seeding to 75 — — when to cut, 180 Grasses, curing, 84 — two valuable 194 Ground moles, 120 Grub in an egg 181 Guano, application of, 51 — for onions, 101 wheat, 290 — trade, 36 Guessing, 250 H Hams, curing, 838 Harrows and harrowing, 182, 219 Harvest of 18.58, ,346 Hay-caps and stack-covers, 110 Hay, curing 143. 148, 173 — cutting and curing clover for, 26 Hay ricks, S4ff" — substitute for 21& Heaves, cure for, IS Hedging with the osage orange, 128' Hedge, priveS, 51 Hedges, are they economical, 35r — plants for, 1,56 and management of,. ST — training, 65, 99' — willow for; 100 Herbs, how to save 352! Hessian fly, G» Hints worth heeding, 370- Hoed crops- clean culture, 207, 279 Hog, a large 52" Hogs, Chinese 16.? — cooking food for, 834' — fattening, in Indiana, 25ff — feeding 81» fixtures for, IIT — large breed of. 33T Hollow -horn, remedy for,.... 144, 146, 152 Home, how to make attractive, . . ,. 94, 36S — personal habits at, 94 Homos, adorn your, 212, 282, 366 Hops, cultivation of, 219 Horse, SB old, i. 54 — diseases of the 151, 226, 243 — show, Springfield, SOS' — taming 248 Horses, how to conquer vicious, .. 845 — stiffened and hoof-bound, 309* — vs. oxen, 56 — V9. mules,. . 215. 24.5. 273, 279", 358, 370- — which are the best to wear 88, 149" Horticultural hints for the month, 15& — notes from Canada, ISS* Iowa 224 Ohio, ; 320' — societies, formation of, 160 — society, Genesee Valley, 180 ■ exhibition, 222^ Horticulture — present and future, 371 Hot-beds, mak ing, 66 How farmers lose money, 241, 84,> Hoven in cattle 24-9 Husbandry, good, 180 — mixed, 7S — poor, 119, 147. 249, 312 Hyacinths in glasses, 849" lee-houses, construction of, 845, 367 In8 what is it, 810 Rye and its culture, 278 Rye-grass, Italian, 228 Sainfoin 74 — in Canada, 1^8 Salt as a manure for wheat, 235, 27-3 — in feedmg cattle, ._• 338 — your stock 117, |43 Scientific nonsense, SCI Scions, cutting, 290 Scours in sheep, to prevent, 247 Season, the pa:-t, 1^ Seeding corn fields to grass, 209 — to timothy, 57 — unseasonable, 281 Settlement in the wilderness, 15 Sheep and sheep ticks, 52, 76, (7 wool, 364 — bean straw as feed for 218, 240, 273 — fattening in winter.. 52, 59, 85, 245, 2aO — gross and not weight of. 869 — in New York in old times, 843 — management and breeding of. . : . . . l-'> ■ native. 357 on the prairies, 2.3.50, 79 — pasturing in orchards, 177, 220, 256 — poisoned, eight hundred 31.3 — racks for feeding, 15, 185 — Shropshire-Down 75 — South-Down, for California, 274 Webb's, 75 — Spanish Merino, 886 — tit-k or louse 13 — value of shelter for, 11 — vs. hogs in orchards, 220, 256. 286, 820 INDEX TO VOLUME XIX. Shelter for pardcns 32 orchards, 96, ]27, 190 on the prairies, l'^9 stock, 11, 216, 841, 843, 868 — trees for 90 on the prairies, 22 Shows for srod wheat, 249 Shnilw fur tlic lawn, 122 Biliprian lurloy, 131 Silver llr, the 157 Societies, debating, farmers', 15 — horticultural, and fruit growers, 98 Sod crop 56, 81 Soil about Milwaukee, 8ll8 — a coarse silicious fertile, 808 — analyses, 44, 65, 147 and Dr. Lee, 77 — best, for apple orchards, 61 the clierry, 64 peach, 64 pear, 63 — improvement of the — proposition for a prize essay, 154 — poor, must be manured, 241 — purverizing a heavy clay, 24, 51 — stirrius; the, 184 and tiirnina; manure, 208 Soils, light and heavy compared,.. . 80, 112 Sowing grass seed in the fall, 148, 174, 813 Sows killing their young, to prevent. . . 307 Special manures, . " 170 Stack covers, 110 Stacking and feeding out straw, 216, 238 277 Staggers in cattle, 143 Stalls for cows, £4 Steers, breaking 25 Stock, cheapest winter food for, 369 — cutting and steaming food for, 215 — foddering \ 53, 78, 118 — for a hundred acre farm, 213 — salting 117, 14.3 — stables for, 118, 149 — substitute for hay in feeding, 216 — wintering, 340 — winter shelter for, 841 Stone fences, 28, 51, 151 Stones, removing small, 218 Strawberries, \ 163 — cultivation of, 253 — for general cultivation, ] 253 Striped bugs to protect cucumbers from the, 2C8 Sugar cane, Chinese, in France, 351 Sugar cane, Chinese, in Iowa, 56 — maple yield of 274 Suggested items,. 15, 50, 76, 112, 14^^, 173 "'' 205, 237, 273 — inferences, 812 Summer fallowing an old sod for wheat 180 Superphosphate of lime as a manure, S4, 113 Sweeney, cure for, 243 Sweet potatoes, cultivation of, 28, 107, 183 208 Teasing annimals at fairs, 312 Ten hour system, should farmers adopt the,.... 217 Terra-cnlturo, 69 The good sells the bad, 175, 206 Thick and thin sowing, 809 Thoughts by the wayside, 147 Timber, to make durable 158 — when to cut, 27, 59 Timothy, seeding to, 57 — when to cut, ISO Tires, to keep tight 211 Tomatoes, cultivation of. 91, 92, 189 — keeping for winter, 823 Tomato-rack, 117 Tools and implements for a hundred acre farm 241 Transplanting evergreens, ... 31, 144, 2S6 — fruit trees,"best season for, 317 — trees, 221 care in, 15 cause of failure in, 88, 187, 285 depth for, 849 small, 319 Tree, decayed, remedy for a, 88 Trees by the roadside, planting, 30 — destruction of, in winter, 95 — for shelter — the white poplar, 96 on the prairies, 22 — fruit, manure for, 17 Truffle, the, 192 Turf, how to lay in dry weather, 852 Turnip, Rhode Island, White French,. . 174 Turnips, harrowing, 209 Underdraining 9, 41, 50, 76, 146 Useful and ornamental, 2S4 Vinegar, manufacture of, . W ^asps, how to kill, SS^ Watermelons, cultivation of, ^ Weather in Northern Illinois, 6^^ Weeping or drooping trees, 28^ — boj)h6ra, 28l Wells, Artesian, 5^ What shall we plant, 7^ Wheat after wheat, 28'^ — and corn in Ohio, 268 — crops in Lower Canada, 267 — cultivation of, 265 — culture in America, a Scotchman's views on, 266 Upper Canada, 266 Wheatland, 23S — harrowing, in the spring, 108 — Illinois Mav or June, 260 — Mexican spring, 888 — midge — a suggestion, 271 — new Mediterranean, 279 — on the prairies, 269 — poison, 305 — salt as a manure for, 235 — seed, shows for, 249 — sowing, early in the fall, 26T — thick and thin sowing, 809 — thin seeding and hoeing, 243 — top-dressing at the time of sowing,. . 271 — turning to chess, 57, 101, 162 — — yellow in spring, 176 — winter, in New Hampshire, 271 — worm, another, 176 Wheatland, a day in, 236 Whiffle-trees, three-horse, 49, 76 White poplar or abele tree, 96 Willow for hedges, lOO Winter evenings, how shall we spend our, \^^ 50 Wintering calves and colts, 864 — pigs, 842 — stock, 340 Wire for grape trellises, 191 Woman's best friend 878 Woodland, management of, 87 Woodpecker, the, 65, 05 Wool growing 364 — high prices of, 339 Y Young men, Judge Buel's appeal to. . 250 INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Alpaca, the,, 150 Ewes, .South-Down, group of, 14 Ox, Galloway, 832 Ram, South-Down, "Frank," ....'. 14 " Master Fnrdham," 274 Rams, Spanish Merino, group of, a36 Sow and pigs of the large breed, 387 Wether, Shropshire-Down, 76 BIKD8. Pigeon, wild, 58 Quail, California, .''', 81 IMPLEMENTS, Barn-door fastener, IS Harrow. Geddes, 182 — Scotch or square, (2 fl<»8.), 182 Horse-hoe, Wethcrell's,!". 806 Potato-digger, Le Couteur's, . "" 306 Whiffle-trees, three-horse, (2 flgs.), . . 49 FARM AND OTHEK BUILDINGS. Bam, a Western New York, with ground plan IIS Cottage, a small, with ground plan,. . . 16 Farm-house, design for, with plans, . . . 344 plans for, 184, 1S5 • octagon, with plans, 185 Ice-house, 345 PLANTS AND TREES. Ash, European, weeping, 281 Fir, silver, 168 Flax 108 Hyacinth 849 Maple, Norway 35 Poplar, white, or abele tree, 97 Sainfoid, 75 Sophora, weeping, 281 Sweet potato, 108 Wheat and barley, roots, 270 MISCELLANEOUS. Cattle stalls, John Johnston's, 306 Cutting up meat, 5 figs, illustrating, 12, 13 Drainage, 10 figures illustrating. . . 41 — 44 Feeding box, 306 Ferret, the, 50 Garden, plan for laying out a, 255 Gooseberry mildew, 284 — saw-fly 223 Hedge, a badly trained, 65 • — properly trained, 65 Hot-bed, 66 Ornament for dried flowers, 318 Plant-cover, 287 Rack, fodder, corn-stalk, 117 Racks for feeding cattle, 182 Seeep tick or louse, 13 Stone fence, section of, 151 Trough for feeding hogs, 117 Truflle, the, 192 Wheat midge, 271 INDEX TO CORRESPONDENTS. A.B., A. B. C, Crystal Lake. Ill A. B. S., Bronte, C. W Adair, !>. L , Hawesville, Ky Adams, J. C, Seymour. N. Y 18, A. F. B., Sandy Lake, Pa A. G. M., Chesher's Store, Ky . . . . 85, A. H. J., Orleans Co., N. Y Alexander, Wm., Teeumseh, Mich A. L. 8., Nichols, N. Y Altfalher, H., Berlin, Pa IIT, A. M., Avery, Cyrus, Camptown, Pa., 112, 116, B., 213, 215, 218, 240, B., Flambro West, G. W B., Fredonia, N. Y B., IlarpersviUe, N. Y 1)7, 146, B., Niag.ira Co., N. Y.. 15, .50, 76, 110, 143. 173, 177, 205, 237, 256, 273, Baoon, W.. Kichmond, Mass Barnes, Emery P., Pharsalia. N. Y Bartlet, Levi, Warner, N. H B. C. W., Metamora, 111. 218, 214, 277, Bee, Hickory Bluff, N. Y Beginner, Rich Vallev, Pa Bement, C. N '. 58, 81, B. F- 55, 206, 278, Billingslev. Edw., Zanesville. Ill Bixby, J. H., Eoyalton, N. Y 241, Blackburn, Thomas S , Pine Bluff, Wis. Bliss, J. F.. ChijrohviUe, N. Y Bliven, E. H., Ruchanan, Nebr2ska,. . . Bowen, B. F.. North Boston, N. Y,.. . Brackett, C, Eochester, Ind.,. 79, 18 1, 190, 242, 278. Braekett, George E., Belfast, Me . . 342, Brevix, 149, Brownnon, A. B.. Bavfield. C. W.. . . Bundy. E. A., Oxford, N. Y 115, Bush, Silas. Skanealeles, N. Y ^3, C, Duanesburgh, N. Y Caldwell, Joseph, Troy, N. Y Catt, J., Cheviot, Ohio Catlell, Geo., Ilarrisville, Ohio, Center, Lee Co., Ill Chamberlain, John D., Waterford, O. . Charlotte. Chester Co., Pa Omklin, N., Clarence. N. Y Cooley, Solon. Four Towns. Mich.. 86, Country Invalid, Maple Hill, N. r Crewson, T. J„ Morgantown, C. W Cultivator Curry, J. C, Wells Co., Ind. . . . '. '. ' '. . '. '. C. W. P., Lafayette, Ind D., Gates, N. Y 80, 120, Davis, Betsey A.. Galena, Ind Dawes, J. O.. LeRaysvil!e,Pa., 82, 186, Denning. Wra. II., Fishkill Lnnding, N.Y ^. Dickinson, A. B.. Hornby, N. Y D. M., Moscow. N. Y D. W. L., West Medford, Mass. . . . 30, E. A. B.. Oxford, N. Y E. B., Pharsalia, N. Y., 83, 88, 93, 189, 216, Edgerton, James. Barnesville, Ohio. . . Edwards, D., Little Genesee, N.Y. 1S4, E. H., Walton. N. Y Ely, 8. M„ Ripley. N. Y Ensign, E. F., Madison, Ohio E. P. B F., Laceysville, Ohio Farmer's daughter. Madison. Ohio. Farmer's daughter, Merrittville. 0. Farmer s wife, Schoharie Co., N.Y. F. H. G.. Rome, Tenn , Fuller, 9 L., Conesus Center, N.Y. G., Lee Center, 111 0„ Out West, G., Plain Farm, 111 Gardner, G. W., Montgomery, lud. Gardner, W. H., Hornby, N. Y.... Gamsey, M., East Cobleskill, N. Y. Gamsey, M., Middleburgh, N. Y.. Gano, C. M , Oak Spring, Ohio . . . G. & L., Lynn, Pa., 2«, 27, 28, 82, 56, 86, Girard, Goldsmith, W. T.. Eoche.-ter, N. Y... . Griffiths, J.. Sterling, Conn H H., Connersville, Ind., 143, H., Fredonia, N. Y 216, H.. Walton, N.Y Hampton, Cvrus, Butler, Ky Hampton, W. C, Mt Victory, O.. 320, Harmon. C. D., Edwards Depot, Miss., Harris, Reuben. Jackson, Pa., Harrison, L., Westfield, N. Y H. A. S., H. B. 8., Rockport, Ohio Hecox, H., South Rutland, N. Y H. E. II., 98, Hettenbaugh, J II. II. M., Liverpool, N. Y Hill, M., Oakfield, N. Y H. M. G.. Morgantown, Va Hodges, E. Marion, Minnesota, 56, 154, Hooker, II. E., Rochester, N. Y Hoosier, Mt. .Tefforson, Ind Houghton. .Joel. Adams' Basin, N. Y. . H. 8. H., Roanoak, Ind., Hurlbut. Myron, Ark port, N. Y Hyde, R. A. G., Kast Aurora, N. Y... Inman. C, Ray, Mich L R, Hamilton, C. W J., Niagara Co., N. Y .J. A J. C, Lockport, N.Y Jenkins, S , Gwynedd, Pa .. . J. II., Eoyalton, N. Y J. H. B.,.. ^i, 55, 76. 78, 9i>, 148, 149, 174. 177, 182, 249, 276, 279, J. H. P.. Gorham N. Y ^ . . . . J. H. P. N., Queens Co., N. Y J. II. W., Mahoning, Pa J. L. B., Penningion. N. J J. O. H., Dillsbu'rg, Pa Johnson, John, Johnson, John, Mt. Washington. Ohio Johnston, John, near Geneva, N. Y.. 147, 176. 184. 209, 244, Johnston, Rob't Thns., Aberfoyle, C.W. Jones, Warren C., Viola, Iowa . . . 159, Jordon, F. II.. M. D.. Rome, Tenn.. . . J. P., Goderich, C. W J. S. M., Mott's Corners. N. Y J. V. B., Exchange. Ky Kelly, .James P., Middle Creek, Ky.. . King, T., Ryckman's Corners, C, W.. Kiser, John, Shippenville, Pa Kitson, Jonathan, Howard, C. W L., Cochraneville, Pa L., Lynn, Pa Larison, G. H. M. D., Sergeantsville, N. J 256, Lawes, J. B., Rothamsted, England. . . L.B.......... .....^ Leatherseich, D., Caladonia, N. Y., 80, Lee, Daniel, Prof., Athens, Ga., ... 44, 202, L H., 212, L. L., Sparta, C. W Lothrop, D. W , West Medford, Lyman, G. C, Lynn, Pa Manning, J. C.. Frontier, N.Y Massey, Geo. W., Pike, Ind M. B., M. B. J., Dedham, Mass M. C. L.. Ballston Center, N. Y M'Dawell, Sam'l, Franklin, N. C M. M., Morehead, R. B., Butler, Ky M. 8. B., Aurora, MuUins, A. G., Chesher's Store, Ky. . . Myers, H. H., Liverpool, N. Y N., O. C. G., Frewsburg, N. Y One of the boys, Arrowsmith's, O. 283, P., Clarendon, N. Y Palmer, Chas., Mansfield, Ohio, Parker, Myron L., Lyndonville, N. Y. P.B P. M., Royalton, N. Y Powers, Stephen, Waterford, Ohio,.. Proctor, John W., So'ith Danvers,Mass. Quinn, Alonzo, Marathon, N. Y Quinn, Celia M., Marathon, N. Y E 114, R., Port Ryerse, C. W Rainev, II., Cotfield, Pa- R. C. iST.. Rochester, N. Y Reno, William, New Castle, Pa Reynolds, P. C, Palmyra, N. Y. . . 60, R. H., Mahoning, Pa R. H. B Ringer, Ezra, Lyons, N. Y E. K. S., Grundy Co., IlL E. K. 6., Murray, lud E.N. Y Rogers. Daniel E.. Wheatland, N. Y.. E. 8. T.. NiaMra, C. W 88, Euble, Wm.. Eola. Oregon E. W. S., Wookstoct, C. W 116, Salter, Josiah, Eochester, N. Y.,.. 66, Sanders, Edgar, Chicago. Ill Sanfield. John, Amboy, lU., 20, 22, 23, Sater, A. H., Ilarrisburgh, Fa Sater, Henry, Harrisburgh, Ind Sawtell, E. 8., Woodstock, C. W 8. E. P., Sergeant, J. T., Sergeantsville, N. J.. 208, 242 Sibley, A. J. Mrs., Armada, Mich Sigma, Woodstock, C. AV 66, Sister, Aurora, 8. K., Wryckman's Corners, C. W Smith, A. L , Nichols, N. Y., 214, 219, 279, Stearns, II., Felchvile, Vt Street, David, 8alem, Ohio,... 27, 866, Saburban, Summer, A. G., Pomaria, S C Sumner, E. L., Muscatine, Iowa 8. W., Waterloo, N. Y 17, 51, 77, 144, 174, 205, 288, 274, 308, 339, T., Baldwinsville, N. Y 220, 286, Tanner, Myron E., Clarkstown, N. Y. Taylor, Andrew J., Java, N. Y. . . . 28, Taylor, J. C, Holmdel, N. J 92, Tenant Fiirmer, Cobourg, C. W Varney, J. M , Green Eiver, Viola, Clay, Iowa W. 78, Ward. H B., Sugar Creek, Ind Watt, Thomas, II , Woodstock, C. W.. W. B., Oldham Co., Ky. W. C. P., Erie Co , N. Y 92, W. D. M., Pin Oak, Mo 23, 215, W. H. G , Lee Center, 111 W. II M., Mahoning, Pa 2S3, Wilson, C. C, Newfane, N. Y.,. . . 21, 841, Wilson. S. M., Mrs., Newfane, N. Y. . W.L.M Wood, Thomas, Penningtonville, Pa.. 180, Woolverton, Joel, Milan, Ohio, W. E., Cobourg, C. W W. X., London, C W Yeomans, T. G., Walworth, N. Y Young, A , Neosho, Mo., 151, Young Farmer, 57, 112, 209, Young Farmer, Niagara Co, N. Y.. . Young Farmer, Vernon, Ind 181, Young Hoosier, Wells Co., Ind Y.Z, *, 152, 179, 244, *, Enterprise, Pa *, Gibson, Pa 243, Vol. XIX, Second Sekies. ROCHESTER, N. Y., JANUARY, 1858. No. 1. XJNDESDSAINING. Ix the vast range of agricultural subjects open for discussion, there is none so worthy to 03cu[)y the first page of our new volume as that of U:< dee- draining. In devising any method for tlie general improve- ment of American Agriculture, tlie necessity of thorough underdrainiiig meets us at the very outset. We can advance scarcely a single step without it. We can obtain only a very slight advantage from a rational system of rotation, from an economical method of making and preserving manure'-, or from improved processes of tillage, so long as our farms need underdraiuing. The best of care in fattening cattle — providing warm and comfortable quarters, feeding and watering regularly, and furnishing the best foods in the proper proportions — will be but poorly repaid unless we have first exercised judg- ment in selecting such animals as have an aptitude to lay on fat. So in adopting improved systems of rotation, culture, and manuring — if we have not a Boil free from all stagnant water to commence upon we can not expect the best results. " All this is true; but will it ptiy ?" asks an intelligent farmer at our elbow. This depends on circumstances. If good naturally underdraiued land can be obtained in your neighborhood for from $15 to $20 per acre, it would not pay in all probability to expend $.30 per acre in underdraiuing low, wet, or sprino-y land; but in all districts where land is worth $50 per acre, nothing can pay better than to expend from $20 to $30 per acre in judicious underdraining. The labor of cultivation is much reduced, while the produce is generally increased one-half, and is not unfrequently doubled ; and it must le remembered that. the increase is net profit. If we get $15 worth (Qf wheat, from one acre and $20 worth from the <)':her, and the expense of cultivation is $10 in both xjases, \\iQ profit from the one is twice as much as •from the other. That judicious underdraming will increase the crops one-third, can not be doubted by lany one who has witnessed its eflfects. If it should double the crops, as it often does, the profit would be four-fold. While it can not be said that underdraining will destroy couch-grass, red-root, and other weeds, it at least enables the farmer to eradicate them with much greater ease. With our short seasons, it is no slight advantage to be able to plow and sow a week or ten days earlier in the spring, as well as late in the fiill ; and this desideratum underdraining will accom- plish. On grass-land, too, the herbage is not only greatly improved in quality, but it ati:brds an earlier bite. By increasing the temperature of the soil, un- derdraining induces early maturity ; and it is found that, for wlieat, it greatly mitigates the injurious attacks of rust and midge, and, for corn, removes nearly all danger from early autumn frosts. There are few farmers that can afford to under- drain all their wet land at once, but there are none who can not manage to underdrain at least one acre each year. Let the work le done thoroughly as far as it goes. The first thing to be provided, is a good main ditch that will carry off" all the water. If possi- ble, it should be five feet deep. The importance of a good outlet can not be over estimated. Many of the attempts at underdraining that have come un- der our observation have faded from neglect of this point. During the rainy seasons, the ditch can not carry off" all the water, and the mouths of the drains are submerged, and the whole network of drains is consequently rendered totally inoperative. It is also desirable to have the open ditch pass through the lowest portions of the farm. When it can be cut ia a straight line, without deviating too much from the lowest places, it will be best to do so ; but we have seen m,any instances where a maia ditch, ia order to make it straight, has been cut through high, land at a greatly increased cost, and the farmer has afterwards found to his sorrow that it is next to impossible to drain into it. The depth of the underdraining must be regula- ted by circumstances. The range being from two and a half to five feet. .Wliile tiles continue as high 10 Tin: GENESEE FARMER. as they unfortunately are at present, there is more economy in deep draining here than in England; and even there general experience is in favor of deep drains. Deep drains, as a general rule, will dram the land to a greater distance than shallow ones. We are acquainted with farmers in this vicmity who pay $U per thousand for tiles, and then lay them, in some cases, not over twenty inches deep. This is a great waste of tiles. The same remarks a: .ply to stone drains, which are at least equally ex- pensive. It has long heen a controverted point whetlier it iH hest to drain up the fall or across it, but experi- ence and theory alike seem to decide in favor of the former course. When the drains are cut up the fall, the water can get into the drains from both sides ; whereas, if they are cut across the fall, it en- ters only from the elevated land on one side, and of course the influence of the drain extends to a less distance. We are well aware, however, that some of the most experienced drainers contend that when the slope is gradual, the drains are more efficient when cut across the fall. Had we not seen the opposite course adopted, wc should deem it quite unnecesary to say that the proper place to commence cutting the drains is at the main ditch, working towards the more elevated portions of the land. In regard to the proper fall of the di-ains, all that is necessary is to cut Ihom so that the water will run off freely from the c'rainers. When stones are abundant, and it is an object to get rid of them, it may be cheaper to drain with stones than with tiles, though we have some doubts on the point. It is necessary to dig the drains wider for stones than for tiles, and the cost of laying the stones is much greater, while a properly made tile drain is equally effective and durable. Much needless labor is expended in cutting the drains an unnecessary width. One of our popular authors re- commends digging drains for two inch pipe-tile, "three feet wide at top, narrowing gradually to the bottom" which is three feet deep. Now such a width is entirely unnecessary. A skillful workman call dig drains three feet deep, only twelve to four- teen inches wide at the top, using a long-handled scoop for removing the loose soil at the bottom. Our object, however, is not now to give specific directions for underdraining. If we can succeed in inducing our readers to commence on a small scale — to underdrain thoroughly one acre, — we feel satisfied that the results will be so beneficial that they wUl not give up this most fascinating of all agricultural operations so long as there remains a single wet spot on the fai*m. LIME AND rrSjCmilCAL CHANGES. Lime is not as was once supposed, an element, but consists of the metal calcium united with the gas oxygen, and is properly an oxide of calcium,^ j'ust as' potash, soda and magnesia are oxides of potassium, sodium, magnesium. It is never found pure in nature, except occasionally in the craters ot volcanoes, but is usually united with carbonic acid, for which it has a strong attraction. In this state it is neutral, and insoluble in pure water. When limestone or any other form of carbonate of lime is exposed to a sufficiently high temperature with ac- cess of air or moisture, the carbonic acid gas is driven off, and the lime wliich remains is called q^iklc or caustic, from its strong alkaline re-action. When sucli lime is plunged into water for a short time, or water is poured upon it, heat is evolved, the lime swells, cracks, gives off much watery va- por, and finally falls to a powder. Tins powder, or slaked lime, is a Mjdrate of hme, water being chemically combined with it. In this state it is still caustic, though somewhat milder than when fresh from the kiln. The rise of temperature is so great when large heaps of good lime are sudc^enly slaked, as to en- flame gmipowder and scorch wood; it certamly exceeds, accordingly to Pei.i.etiek, 500 ^ ; and when the operation is performed in a dark place, light is also evolved. All sorts of imaginary causes have been assigned to account for these phenomena. They are referable, however, to a very simple and universal law. All substances during their change from a gaseous to a liquid, or from a liquid to a solid state, evolve heat, and vice versa. The intense cold produced by hquifying ice or snow by admixture with salt is a familiar instance of the latter ; and the heat evolved in solidifying carbonic acid under intense cold and pressure, is sometimes dangerous evidence of the former— the expansion of air conse- quent on the sudden liberation of heat from the car- bonic acid in the moment of congelation, not un- frequently shattering the vessel to atoms. Lime in slakmgwill absorb one-fourth its weight of water ; but the slaked lime is not more moist than before. The water unquestionably, there- fore, is chemically combined with the lime, and becomes solidified ; and it is simply owing to this solidification of the water that heat is evolved. ; Caustic lime has a strong affinity for water and car- bonic acid. When kept in a dry place, it gradually slakes, cracking, splitting and crumbling to pow- der with the evolution of heat— which, however, ia not so perceptible on account of the length of time during which the process ia extended— just as THE GEl^pSEE FARMER. 11 though it had been slaked by pouring on water. In this case the lime lias obtained the twenty-five per cent of water it needs to slake it from the at- mosphere. There is this difference, however, lie- tween air-slaked lime and that which is water- slaked. The former is slaked precisely as the latter hy the al)sorj)tion of water, but it also absorbs car- l)onic acid from the air, and instead of being simply a hydrate of lime as when water-slaked, it is a defi* nite compound of hydrate and carbonate of lime, 42.6 per cent of the former, and 57.4 of the latter. Air-dal-ed lime, therefore, is tar from being so caustic as water-slaked — upwards of one-half of it !»eiiig reconverted into the same chemical state as it was in before burning. After the lime has absorbed sufficient water and is completely fallen to pieces, carbonic acid is absorbed Jimch less rapidly, especiidly in damp situations. Ill fact, though there is a constant tendency in lime to return to the 'state of carbonate in which it exis- ted previous to burning, yet, by mere exposure to the air, it does not attain tliis stateinany assignal)le time. In some walls 600 years old, the lime has been found to have absorbed only one-fourth of the carbonic acid necessary to convert the whole into carbonate; in othei"s, built by the Romans 1800 years ago, the proportion absorbed has not exceeded three-fourths of the quantity contained in natural limestone. When slaked in the ordinary way, by the appli- cation of water, lime falls to pieces without the ab- sori)tion of but little if any carbonic acid. But when slaked and exposed to the air, the absorption of carbonic acid is at first very rapid, but it gradu- ally becomes very slow, and probably the same de- finite compound of hydrate and carbonate of lime is formed as in the case of air-slaked lime. The original limestone, or any other form of car- bonate of lime, then, is perfectly mild. By driving off the carbonic acid by heat, we get dime which is \'ery caustic. By slaking tbis with water, we get a less caustic substance — hydrate of lime. By allow- ing it to air-slake, we get a still less caustic com- pound—a definite compound of hydrate a^ndcarl)on- ate of lime. And by exposing it to the air for a sufficient length of time, we ultimately get the whole reconverted again into its original mild form — car- bonate of lime. Yalve or Shelter for Sheep. — Mr. E. Cat- TELLj of Harrisville, Ohio, has tried keeping sheep both with and without shelter, and has come to the conclusion that it takes from half a htisJiel to a lushel more corn to winter a slieep without than with shelter. \ CUTTING UP MEAT IN THE LONDON MAEKET. In this country, less attention is generally paid to the difference in quality of the various joints of meat than in England, where some pieces from the same animal command more than double the price of others. In our large cities, however, meat consumers are beginning to discriminate between the best and inferior joints, and the butchers will pay a higher price for such animals as will furnish the greatest proportion of first quality meat. In a recent conversation with one of the most extensive and experienced cattle dealers in the United States, he observed that, in purchasing animals for the Boston and New York markets, the great cause of success or failure is due to the observance or neglect of this point. Many dealers pay the same price per pound for an inferior animal, with coarse, heavy fore quarters, as for one of an improved breed ; but when they got them to Boston or New York, they found that the butchers would pay from $10 to $20 more for the latter than for the former, though both were of the same weight. When this matter is better understood, farmers will pay more atten- tion to breeding the best cattle. They will find not only that improved animals mature earlier and lay on fat more rapidly for the food consumed, but that the same weight of meat commands a much higher price. We have thought a few illustrations of the man- ner in which carcasses are cut up in the London market, together with the prices usually obtained for the various pieces, would not be without inter- est to our readers. After a carcass of beef has been divided by cleav- ing down the chine into two sides, the division of the side into hind and fore quarters (shown in fig. 1) is a tbllows: — The spine between the dorsal verte- brre, or links of the back, from which the eleventh and twelfth ribs spring, is divided ; and a cut is made from that ])oint nearly square to the spine, but witliout reference to the direction of the ribs ; tlu'ee of which are sawn obliquely across to a point opposite the shoulder point, and then continued fcn-ward to the posterior extremity of the breast- bone; which division of the side into quarters is shown in the figure by the strong line a, 5, c. Erom the inside the bone of the pelvis is sawn through ia an oblique direction, and the hind quarter divided into two parts by the line commencing from the nach at ^ to a point at e above, and a little in front of the hip joint, and afterwards continued from e to h. The principal division of the fore quarter ia into three parts : first, by a line from g at the pos- terior part of the neck, to / above, and just behind 12 THE GENESEE FARMER. tlie shoulder point, and continued to the point of the breast ; and, secondly, hy the line from 5 to /. Fig. 1. The names of the several joints in the bind and fore quarters of a side of beef, and the purposes for ■which they are used, are as folloAvs : Hind Quarter. [1. Sirloin, or the two sirloins cut together in one joint forms a havon, is, when roasted, the famons national '■ dish of Englishmen at entertainments on occasions of rejoicing. 2. #ump, the primest part for steaks. 3. Itch-bone, boiling piece. 4. Buttock, prime boiling piece for the beef and ham shops. 5. Mouse-round, boiling or stewing. 0. Hook, stewing. 7. Thick flank, which is cut with the cod or udder fat, primest boiling piece, and much used in the beef and ham shops. 8. Thin flank, boiling. ' •- Fore Qtjartee. 9. Five ribs of the crop, called the fore ribs, is considered one of the primest roasting pieces, and used at hotels, and for large entertainments. 10. Four ribs of the crop, called the middle ribs, chiefly ^ purchased by tavern and eating-house keepers for T' roasting. 11. Two ribs of the crop, called the chuck, used for second- arj' quality of steaks. 12. I-eg of mutton piece, the muscle of the shoulder dis- sected from the breast, used for steaks. 13. Brisket or breast, used for boiling after being salted, 14. Neck, clod, and sticking piece, nsed for soups, gravies, stocks, pies, and mincing for sausages. 15. Shin, stewing. The following is a classitieation of the qualities- of meat, and also the comparative vahie by the pound of the several joints of prime ox beef when cut np in the London manner : First Class.— Includes the sirloin, with the kidney suet (1)— the rump steak piece (i) — the fore-ribs (.9), at a current price of IG cents per lb. Second Class.— The buttock (4)— the thick flank (7)-th& middle ribs (10), at I'i per lb. Third Class.— The itch-bone (3)— the mouse-round (.5)— the thin flank (s)— the chuck (U)— the leg of mut- ton piece (12)— the brisket (IS), at lo cents per lb. Fourth Class.— The neck, clod, and sticking piece (14), at 6 cents per lb. Fifth Class.— The hock (fi)— the shin (1.5), at 4 cts. per lb. Fig. 2 shows the mode of cutting up a carcass of mutton, as practiced in London. x\fter separating the hind from the fore quarter, with eleven ribs to the latter, the quarters are divid-wl as follows :— Hind Quarter— (1), the leg; (2), the loin: the two when cut in one joint is called the saddle. Foke Quarter— (3), the shoulder ; (4 and 5), the neck, the part (5) of which anterior to the shoulder called the scrag is frequently separated ; (li), the breast. The hind quarter usually sells for four cents per pound more than the fore quarter ; in fact, many of tlie butchers at the '^West End" deal only iu the hind quarters of nnitton. Fig. 3 shows the mode of cutting up mutton in Edinburgh: (1), the leg, or gigot, as the Scotch tenn the joint, includes so much of the loin as lies behind the hook bone, by which the loin (2> is less than in the London mode. The fore quarter is only Fig. 2. ^ ^ ^IG- 3. divided into two joints, which are (3) the back ribs, consisting of the neck as cut in London, aad the THE GENESEE FARMER. ^"13 upper part of the shoulder ; and (4) the breast, to- gether with the lower part of the shoulder. Fig. 4 shows the mode of cutting up veal prac- ticed in London, The side of veal is divided into quarters, with eleven ribs to the fore quarter, and the several joints into which the hind and fore quarters are respectively subdivided are as follows : HiXD QcAETEK — (1), the loin; (2), the chump, con- sisting of the rump and hook bone ; (3), the fillet ; (4), the bock or hind knuckle. Fore Quarter — (5,) the shoulder; (6), the neck; (7), the breast; (8), the fore knuckle. — The following is the ratio of prices which the sev- eral joints of veal usually command : — Loin and fil- let, 16 cents; neck and breast, 14 cents ; shoulder and chump, 12 cts. ; hind and fore knuckle, 10 cts. per pound. The weights of the several parts of a moderate -sized well-fed calf about eight weeks old, ' are nearly in the following proportion : — Chump and loin together 18 lbs.; fillet, 12^ lbs.; hind knuckle, 5i lbs.; shoulder, 11 lbs.; neck, 11 lbs.; breast, 9 lbs.; fore knuckle, 5 l^bs. ; total of carcass, 144 lbs. Fig. 5 shows the method of cutting up small pork to dress for table in joints. The side is divided with nine ribs to the fore quarter ; and the following is an enumeration of the joints in the two respective quai'ters: — IIixd Quarter — (1), the leg ; (2), the loin ; (3), the spring or belly. Fore Quarter — (4), the hand ; (5), the fore chine, or some- times called the spare rib ; (6), the cheek. The weights of the several joints of a good pork pig of 32 lbs. may be as follows: — The leg, 8 lbs.; the loin and spring, 7 lbs.; the hand, 6 lbs. ; the chine, 7 lbs. ; and the cheek, from 2 to 3 lbs. • "We should be glad if some of our correspondents would furnish us •with drawings illustrating the mode of cutting up meat in some of the principal citie^, together with such remarks as may indue 3 farmers to breed such animals as afford the greatest propor- tion of first ^quality meat. _^^ Fig. 4. Fig. 3 ■-■ 4 THE SHEEP TICK OS LOUSE. Nearly all sheep, and more particularly those in poor condition, and lambs, are invested with ticks, {MelopTiagua avinus,) which live by sucking the sheep and especially lambs, and must be very an- noying. They are more or less abundant from March to October, when oval, shining bodies, (as shown in the accompanying figure,) like the pips of small apples, and similar in color, may be found attached by the pointed end to the wool (1), (2, the same magnified). These are not the eggs, but the pupso, which are laid by the female, and are at first soft and white. From these issue the ticks (3), (4, the same magnified), which are horny, bristly, and rusty-ochre; the head is orbicular, with two dark eyes (o), and a rostrum in front, enclosing three fine curved tubes (6) for piercing the skin and sucking the blood ; the body is large, leathery, purse-shaped, and whitish when alive, notched at the apex ; the six legs are stout, very bristly, and the feet are furnished with strong double claws. A wash of arsenic, soft soap, andi* purified potash ; a decoction of tobacco ; train oU^ with spirits of turpentine; or mercurial oiutmetet j will destroy ticks. WEBB SOUTH- DOWN SHEEP. Undoubtedly, the best breeder of South-Down sheep in the world is Jokas "Webb, of Babraham, England. To those who can appreciate the skill, the care, the judgment, and the perseverance, re- quired to originate and to maintain an improved breed of animals, the name of Jonas "Webb is as familiar as household words. His success as a breeder has been most extraordinary. At the last Exhibition of the Royal Agricuhural Society of England, between fifty and sixty yearling South- Down rams were shown. The judges, after careful examination, selected out six. They gave two of them the prizes (£25 and £15), they ^^sxiecially commended" two more, and '■'■highly commended" the other two. All six alieep turned out to le the property o/'- Jonas "Webb ! His annual letting and ' sale of rams attracts not only the best breeders of 14 THE GENESEE FARMEPw. %3 /. ■V y,p.; WEBB's SOrxn-DOWN EAM " FEANK." Britain, but of America, Europe, and Australia. The prices obtained were years ago deemed specu- lative, but they are annually on the increase. At the last sale, sixty -five rams were let for the season at an average price of |140 each, and one was sold for $2,016. Another ram has let in three years for over $2,000, and is still vigorous. We are glad to learn that our esteemed corres- ^^\.^.\^S^ THREE WEBB SOUTH-DOWN EWES. pondent, Mr. J. C. Tatloe, of Holmdel, Monmouth Co., N. J., an experienced sheep breeder, has deter- 'mined to turn his attention to breeding exclusively Jonas Webb's South-Down sheep. In a private letter now before us, (an extract from which we hope he will excuse us for publishmg,) he says :— " I have for many years had the inclination to de- vote my time to breeding sheep. About twelve years ago, I became fully satisfied that, all things considered, the South-Down was the best steep for THE GENESEE FARMER. 16 our climate, and for our future, if not for our pres- ent needs. From all I could learn, I was satisfied that Webb's sheep were nearer perfection than any others, and accordingly I procured a few of his sheep from Col. L. Gr. Mokeis. Three years ago, I put my flock of South-Downs I then had, out on shares, and commenced my Webb flock. At Col. Morris's sale I purchased nearly one-fourth of his entire female flock. Last fall, I procured from Mr. Webb "Frank" and five very superior breeding ewes (one dying on ship). These were secured at a heavy cost, as I wanted the very best for breed- ing. With the increase of lambs, I have now a fair-sized flock, and one which has cost me a great deal of money and labor." We have great pleasure in presenting our readers with excellent engravings of "Frank" and three of the four imported ewes, which are undoubtedly model breeding sheep, having been selected by Mr. Webb himself. "Frank" is half-brother to the celebrated first-prize Paris ram that was hired for nearly $1,000, and afterwards sold for over $2,000. He was the winner of the first prize at the last New Jersey State Fair, and also at the Monmouth Co. (N. J.) Fair. We hope, and believe, that Mr. TatlOr will find his enterprise a successful one, and that his "Webb's American Flock" will become as justly celebrated as that at Babraham. STJiJGESTSD ITEMS. -Nj. 16. FiFTEEJT months ago I began these "Items" for the Genesee Farmer^ and have kept it up, not with all the spirit which should characterize such brevi- ties, yet ever in the hope that your readers acce})ted my notings with something of the favor witii which you have received them. If this be so, I am con- tent. Meanwhile tlie habit of reading the Farmer^ pen in hand, has grown upon me, so I must contiruie scribbling, trusting that the same kind reception will be awarded. Allow me here to disclaim any assumption of superior knowledge, in that I remark freely upon the contributions which enrich your pages. I claim only to be still learning^ and doubt not that very many who now write for you, could better occupy ray space. Fast wanes 1857, the December number has gone to its readers — these lines greet them in the new volume for 1858. Let not the hard times induce one farmer to practice the mistaken economy of " stopping his papers." They are a necessity in this age to the man of progress, and any agricultural pa- per will pay for itself many times over in the prac- tical knowledge it brings the intelligent reader. '■''Progress in Agriculture^ has undoubtedly been made during the past year, and yet it is too slight to be called general progress. In one item, I be- lieve with yourself that the wheat midge will prove a " blessing in disguise" — that its effect is and will bQ ' to cause us to till less land and cultivat^e it bet- ter to sow only the best portions of the farm to wheat, and enrich tliem more, while we are under- draining and otherwise improving the low and poor portions." It causes us also " to keep more stock and to make more and better manure," and we are then laying the foundation, at least, for true pro- gress in agriculture. " Farmers'' Debating Societies, might well be es- tablished in every neighborhood, if those who would aspire to manage them were men of pract"- cal aims, instead of wordy and inflated talkers — • ready with theories on every subject, but with little or no depth of thought. Did you ever notice the character of the questions usually discussed at De- bating Societies — how utterly senseless they are ? " Hacks for Feeding Sheej),^^ and all other domes- tic animals are the true economy. But we need shelter also, and our racks especially should be un- der cover, for cattle and sheep do not like wet fod- der. Racks, sheds, and plenty of straw for litter, are necessary to comfort, economy, and convenience in wintering stock. " Good Culture for Com,'''' is what brings the good crops of corn. We inust plow deeper if we want to insure against drouth and wet ; and one or the other is always "the reason" why there are so many poor corntields in the country. " Your large hill of corn, from which you expect two or more ears to the stalk," says Judge Butler of Conn., '■'■must have roots and rootlets to correspond; and where shall they run for the nourishment required to perfect their growth? Down, do you say? Why you furrowed and planted three inches below the surface level, and there are but four left to the plow's floor, and what is that for the rootlets of a very large hill of corn ? Laterally, do you say ? You have drawn up to the hillsatleasthalf of the seven inches from between the roAvs, and there is but very li'.tle depth or substance for the roots there. There is no other place to go, and when earing time comes, unless your land is very highly manured or very rich, your ears will not be numerous or fill out." " Management and Breeding ofSheej) " is not well understood by too many formers. We do not make them pay half what we might do under the course of management you describe. I hope those whom 3'ou call upon " will give their experience to the readers of the Ftrvier,'''' and that mutton as well as wool will be jjroduced and marketed. " Care in Setting Trees " will insure success. But setting trees as one sets a post, is not doing the work either well or successfully. Mr. Parks pursued the true course, and his letter shows how truly profita- ble the "right way" ever proves. '■'■A Settlement in the Wilderness P^ — How sug- gestive of " old times" are these familiar pictures. The "Pioneer's Progress" is wonderful, and can^ never be fully understood by those who had no share in pushing it on. The humble log cabin ia. the clearing has long since given way to the com- fortable farm-house surrounded by spacious fields, and beautiful orchards ; and Pioneer life,., as it exis- ted in Western New York forty years ^o, will never be known again in any country. b. ^ Niagara Co., N. Y., Dee. 1S5T. ^ i Farmees should examine their implements, and put all in good repair needing iU THE GENESEE FAEMER DESIGN FOR A SMALL COTTAGE. LABORER'S COTTAGES. -FARMER'S WIVES." Editors Genesee Farmer :^It lias been truly said that, "no greater drawback to the comforts and attractions of country life exists, than in the drudgery and discomfort to which farmers' wives ,and daughters are sulyected in boarding and lodg- ing large numbers oi hired men. Laborers' and me- chanics' wives have a comparatively easy life, hav- ing but small families to provide for ; but the wife fof a large farmer, wlio must supply hearty meals for .fifteen or twenty persons at least three times a day,, passes a life of hopeless drudgery." No wonder,. truly, that " we so frequently see them broken down with premature old age" and that the "young folks" of the larmer's family seek to escape from .such a lot. How shall this be remedied, you ask? Every large farmer should provide small and com- fortable cottages so that lie can employ married men and have them board themselves. He can then get better hands, and save the frequent changes often necessary, as well as relieve himself of a portion of •a loss of rainy days, for such a man could find work about his own premises, when a single man could ■do little or nothing for his employer. How much more convenient and agreeable to his own family, every farmer can answer, even if he has had but one hired man to sit at his table through the season, and his wife finds a still greater difference in the care and labor required. To the laborer himself it will be far pleasanter, so in the end both parties will be benefitted by the provision of cottages as here recommended and described. .Among the best designs of a suitable character for this purpose, which we have seen, is that shown above, found in the " Country Houses " of the late A. J. Downing. It is simple and cheap ; and yet tasteful and substantial. The vertical boarding, the projecting roof, the rafter-brackets, and window- hoods, give it a picturesque, home-like expression, at but slight increase of cost, while the trees' by which -it is, surrounded make it appear far more pleasant. The elevation and ground plan need but little ex- planation. We think the back porch a particularly happy tliought— a room oyiening du'ectly into the open air is often uncomfortable in winter. The wood room might be enlarged at small expense, and if the bed-rooms were required for constant use, it would be well to have it open into the living room, as it would be more convenient as well as warmer in winter. The cellar stairs are under those leading to the chamber, and the latter contains two oon> fortable bed-rooms. GROIND PL.\N. The writer first quoted, J. J. Thomas, estimates the cost of building after this plan at $850, with good cellar, and the walls filled in with brick, wliile without the cellar and of cheap lumber it could be constructed for $200. We hope this subject will receive attention from those of your correspondents who have given it trial or consideration, for we heartily desire the emancipation of farmers' wives from the slavery of "keeping Irish," or Dutch, or even Yankee " boarding houses." m. hill. Oak-field, N. Y. Cube fob Heaves. — Keep the horse one winter on cornstalks ; and if you feed any grain, let it be corn in the ear. In the Southern States, where horses are kept exclusively on corn blades (the leaves of corn stripped from the stalk and di-ifid) and corn, heaves are imknown. THE GENESEE FARMER. 17 NOTES FOE THE MONTH. -BY S. W. Michigan Mantjal Labor College, at Lan- STjiG. — The first report of the Michigan Agricultur- al Oollege is out in pamphlet. The inaugural ad- dress by the President, Joseph R. Williams, who needs not the prefix Hon. to his name, is a compre- hensive and unusually terse, well written exposition of the lack of literary training, and the intellectual disabilities of the agricultural classes; in conse- quence of which this, the greatest of our industrial interests, is almost ignored by the national govern- ment, while commerce and manufactures receive millions for their encouragement and protection ? — He says '* it is only a few weeks since the United States Senate revised its committees and abolished the committee on Agriculture, thus recognizing no such national interest." But I would ask who can blame the Senate for thus ignoring a class that so tamely consents to its own political nonentity; who is to blame if farmers wilUngly become the serfs of the soil, satisfied that all they do not know, is not worth knowing? May it not be said that (with many noble exceptions,) the tiller of the soil is less disposed to honor hus own calling by claiming for it the necessity of science, than any other man who lives by labor. Even the domestic cook — the maker of savory stews — when clev-er, is a practical chem- ist, and claims to be, as he is, an artist ; while the farmer clings to hoary prejudices and hereditary re- cipes, and in his meagre isolated egotism, ignores his own great laboratory of nature's chemistry that gives him his meat and his bread ? President Williams says " the chief end and object of educating the tarmer is to teach him to subo'rdi uate himself, and all animal and vegetable life around hijn, to those inexorable laws, moral and physical, the violation of which meets with swift retribution." Again, " a farmer should be a chem- ist so far as a comprehension of the principles which aifeet his daily life and practice is concei-ned. He need not be an analytic chemist, but he should be familiar with those laws, the observance of which is indispensable to safety and success, and the defiance of Avhich is destruction." The agricul- tural press should make long extracts from his masterly address. The students are credited so much per hour for their labor on the College exper- imental farm. Distillery-fed Cow's Milk. — An M, D. of New York city has lately published a report on the in- creased mortality of the children of that city— lay- ing the blame mainly to the use of the milk from tlie distillery-fed cows. The learned Medico not only pronounces the milk poisonous, but ho scan- dalizes Analytic Chemistiy by tlie assertion that " cliemistry can not detect the poison, hence it is IX)werless to indicate an antidote." Now every tyro in chemistry knows that distillery slop is boiled meal with a little malt and yeast that have produced a fermentation by which the starch and sugar of the ineal_ was taken otf to form alcohol. If such slop is poisonous, the antidote must be sugar, or vegeta- bles containing starch and sugar, such as rations of grass, cornstalks, sorghum in summer, and hay, stalks &c., in winter. Slop-fed cows in this region thus treated, give large messes of milk that affords rich cream; and those city children who fed on such milk here last summer, carried back an accession of bone and flesh and color. The M. D. would have dis^ [)layed a better practical knowledge if, histead of condemning distillery slops, he had descanted on the abuse of the cows, shut up as they are in nar- row, filthy, confined, unve-it-ilated stalls, where no other animal but a quiet bovine could live a forti night, to say nothing of their being fed almost en- tirely on slop. How much better milk would a cow give, if, under the same confinement, she was fed on potatoes or Indian meal ? The Rural Annual and IIoRTicu'^.TriJAL Direc- tory FOR 1858. — The title of the fir-t article in this valuable work, "Manures for the Ort-''iard and Gar- den," by no means indicates the extei.t of its teach- ings, its pains-taking and truly practical dissertation on the elements and relative value of manures, and of the manner in which thjj should be applied both to trees and plants, and how the niost wasting and yet the most valuable ingredient in manure, nitro- gen, should be saved, &c., &q. Those illusti'ations, particularly of the trimmed dwarf pe-'r trees, vines, &c., took the attention of a horticultural friend, who, on subscribing for the book, pronounced the article above referred to, to be worth twenty times its cost. The advantage of Owning unsalable Village Lots. — I read a letter from the West the other day from a-no-longer-bachelor friend. lie went several years ago to an incipient Illinois city, where the speculative fever soon seized him; this subsided only to find him more permanently seized, in fee simple. Having enough of progressive city life, he wisely married a smart girl of the country, a tai-racrs daugh- ter, and bought a partially improved farm in North Wisconsin. He now writes glowingly of the beau- ties of alternate wild woods and prairie, of the pic- turesque effect of deciduous trees relieved by the passage of a sparkling stream, and groves of ever- green pine ; his young wife is all he could ask in loveliness ; in short he has but one trouble ; he can't sell his city lots for money, and of course he has no cash left to hire help to improve his match- less domain, as he now feels it should be improved, and he avers that he has little strength to work much liimself. His mother now felt for liim, and his sisters in their simplicity sympathised in his di- lemma ; but a knowing elder brother who had him- self lived ten years on a wild farm in north Hoos- ierdoin, comforted them all by sayhig tliat " those saleless lots, no matter if they were worthless, were his great blessing, because if they could be turned to cash the money would soon go, and what would be worse, Joe would never learn the use of his own hands to his dying day." He evidently spoke as the French say en maiti-e, for he had heeti tJiere, and he there got that physical education which he now feels is beyond all price to his down hiU of life. Manure for Fruit Trees. — A writer in the ag- ricultural columns of a New York paper says "trees should be fed with specific manures; as the ashes of the Pear tree contains twenty-seven parts phos- phate of lime and twenty-two of potash, the tree in its growing state nmst hunger for these particu- lar elements, and feeding it with barn yard manure will cause an unhealthy succulent luxuriance wholly unfit to resist the attacks of cold." Just as if the barn-yard manure did not contain these very ele- ments. But the reverse of his theory has been proved by repeated experiments— that the composi- 18 THE GENESEE FARMER. tion of plants afford no index to their manunal wants. Give me enough strong nitrogenous stable manure made bv corn-fed a.iinials, and I ask tor no inorganic or special manure. It is the injudicious ap])lication of farm yard manure, not its quality, that makes it injurious t j young trees. ^TiiE Fast Cool, Wet Season.— This has been a great season for herbaceous plants, very favorable to poor, rolling, or to all well- drained, manureless lauds ; but I must say that my rich, well-drained garden has yielded better in the dry est of dry seasons, onions and cabbages perhaps excepted. Although the frost kejit off until the 20th of Octo- ber, it was so wet and cool that large Sorghum did not perfect a single seed ; toniatoes were late and almost a failure, and Lima beans were a full month later than usual. But I got the largest celery on ground trenched after a crop of green peas were removed. This was my only double crop. Waterloo, Dec. 1th 1857. CHEAP BAKN-DOOR FASTENER. Editors Genesee Farmer: — I send you a draft of a cheap, durable, and convenient barn-door fast- ener. The doors are of common construction in this part of the country, composed of ui)right scantling, 3 by 4, arms let in to the scantling and braces to support the arms. A. A. are rockei-s about 4 feet long, IJ inches thick, 3 inches wide in the center, and nailed fast to the braces edgewise. B. lever, which plays on an iron bolt with a head on one end and thread and nut on the other. The holt is passed through the door and lever and screwed up on the inside. The rockers and lever should be of hard wood. A piece of hard wood board should be spiked on the outside of the door, for the bolt to pass through, and also allowed to lap the other door about an inch. When one door only is recpiired to be open, the other should be lastoiK'd with hook and staples, to prevent the wind from banguig the door, as is often the case.— A block of wood, some two inches thick, should be bored and slipped on to the bolt liefore the lever is put on, to keep the lever from slipping up to the arm. You will perceive the upper and lower arms of the door, to which the hook is attached, lap the other door. This is not actually necessary, but, in my opinion, prevents the doors from warjnng. ■• Seymour, N. Y. ^ _ J. C. ADAMS. FARMERS' CLUBS. Olttbs, for the discussion of topics connected with the theory and practice of agriculture, have been common for many years, both in Britain and Ame- ica; and much of the improvement that has taken l)lace in the practice of agriculture, may be traced to their intiuence. _ ' The object of a farmers' club may be briefly sta- ted, to be the improvement of the members in their agricultural practice, and to afford opportunities of g?ving and receiving information on all matterr» connected with agriculture. The meeting of farm- ers together in such clubs has a tendency to pro- mote a social spirit, and will be the means of making farmers know and respect each other ; they will teach them to think more accurately, to act more systematically, and to observe more closely and cor- rectly, in order that they may speak or write more fluently on any given subject; besides, it is very pleasant to spend'an occasional afternoon or even- ing, discussing with our friends and neighbors the subjects that we are best acquainted witli, and in which we are all most interested. One of the first and most obvious obstacles to the improvement of agriculture, or any other art, con- sists in the ignorance of its practitioners, or in its being carried on by persons who are unable to take a comprehensive view of the principles of tlieir pro- fession, and who have not sufficient curiosity to in- quire after the best modes of ])ractice, or under- standing to discern the value of any new practice that may be explained to them. It ought never to be forgotten tliat the art of the farmer Ts an intricate and extensive one, and one that requires long practice to become a pi-oficient in. One of the chiaf circumstances which has hith- erto retarded its improvement, has arisen from the secluded situation of the persons engaged in it ; they are scattered over the face of the country, instead of being congregated in towns, so as to derive aid from each other's experience. Now, if there was a well attended farmers' club in every locality, the ex- perience o^each might be^cune the property of aZZ. In commencing a farmers' club, the frequency and the places of meeting should be made as convenient as possible to the members; and whether they should meet in a school-house, or some other ceu-. tral place, or from house to house of various mem- bers, can only be settled after a club has been es- tablislied, and by each club for itself. It is of great importance to the prosperity of a club, to choose a Chairman or President— one who is generally res- pected in the neighborhood — one of tried experi- ence, discretion, and ])ro(1ence, and who is generally looked up to as a leader in all agricultural im- provements ; and has the necessary tact to draAV out all the information the members present may possess on the subiect under discussion ; and who, if occasion should require it, can repress (without giving offence) thoss who may be inclined to take up more than their due share of the time of the meeting. The ofticer of next importance to the success ot a club, is the Secretary. He will need to work hard himself, as on him will often devolve the business THE ge:si:see farmer. 19 of sustaining a flagging discussion. He should be empowered to obtain and engage the assistance of all wJio are cjualified to give useful informafion. It will greatly promote the interests of the club, if, besides keeping the minutes of the club, the Secre- tary is able to make a brief and condensed report of the views advanced by the ditferent speakers, and publish the same in the local newspapers. By this means public attention is called to the proceed- ings of the club, and useful; information will be spread abroad to the benefit of the whole farming community. We would farther state, that the office of Secretary ouglit to be filled by a practical farmer, as he will thus be best acquainted with the views and feelings, and modes of expression common among farmers ; and we believe tliat every neigh- borliood win be found to possess farmers well qual- ified to fill this office, and fill it well, if they can only he induced to try. An excellent plan for conducting a farmers' club, is at each meeting to fix on a subject for discussion at the next meeting, and to appoint one of the mem- bers to open the discussion with a Avritten paper on the subject. Having given subjects at stated peri- ods, will not only induce the farmers to think and prepare themselves, but will also tend to elevate their views and feelings as regards farming as a pursuit, and will cunsequently make them respect themselves and every member of their own class. A very important part of the preparation to be made by those anxious to start or continue a farm- ers'* clr.b, consists in the selection of suitable, useful, and interesting subjects for discusssion ; as a club will soon cease to exist if its discussions are of no use to the members. The subjects suitable for discussion are almost endless. We can only indicate a very few of them ; each clab can determine what is most suitable for itself. On the breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs most profitable for tiie neighborhood; the in- troduction and ase of labor-saving implements ;" the best method of making and saving manure, and the crops to w^hich it can most prt)fitably be applied ; the beet and cheapest methods of preparing the ground, and the best time for sowing the various crops grown in the neighborhood ; the best and most profitable rotation of crops; the best and surest method of eradicating the various noxious weeds that may infest the locality ; the profits of drain- ing; the relative merits of good, middling, and par- Bimonious farming; the best methods of construct- ing, and the most convenient methods of arranging farm buildings; the root crops most suitable to the neighborhood, and the best methods of their culti- vation ; the details of dairy management ; the rela- tive profitableness, under given circumstances, of tlie dairy, or grazing for beef. We need scarcely add that no subject of a party — political or religious character— should ever be introduced for discussion at any farmers' club meeting. It is not fine, set epeeches, that are wanted at club meetings, but the practical experience, and experi- ments, w^hether successful or not, of the member, — the Bucceesfiil experiments as examples for imita- tion, and the unsuccessful as warnings to avoid and to prevent others from repeating them. Iq conclusion, we would say, that the influence of farmers' clubs will be most beneficial to young fwmrs^ aa from the discossions of the club the inexperienced will have the opportunity of hearing of the results of practice, and thus be enabled to conduct their labors on the most approved systems. It will tend, too, to make our farmers shake off that lethargy with which theyhave s© long been afflicted, and make them use means to qualify themselves for that position in society wliich their large prepond- erance in numbers, and rapidly increasing wealth undoubtedly entitle them to. a tenant farmee. Cdbourg, C. K, Km\ iWi, !?'=>". HOW CAN WE MOST PROFIT 1BLY AND AGREE- ABLY SPEND OUR WINTER EVENINGS] As summer is the season for husbandry, so win- ter is the season, with the farmer, for mental cul- ture ; it is in fact the only time a farmer has for liter- ary cmusement or instruction. As a class, farmers are jerhaps the most untutored in the community, which is more their* misfortune than their fault. While the professional man, the merchant, and the mechanic, are carefully educated for their business, the young man who ultimately becomes a farmer, in hundreds of instances can neither read nor write. The most lamentable indifterence is manifested by parents and guardians, to avail themselves of the existing institutions of learning, so numerous and so wtll sustained. Is it any wonder, then, that so little taste is man- ifested by them with regard to literary amusement or instruction? Unable to acquire, theoretically, any information of their business, they are content to go on in antiquated systems a quarter of a centu- ry behind the age, satisfied if they do as their fath- ers did before tliem, and seeking no progression. If th's be true in many instances regarding their farm- ing operations, and unfortunately it is so, how much more true is it in regard to mental occupations. In- capable of amusement from periodicals or books, their winter evenings are squandered away in list- less indifference, or under the stupefying influence of the tobacco pipe, or worse still, at the tavern, where, among vicious associates, the obscene jest, tlie coarse buft'oonery, and other demoralizing influ- ences blunt their moral perceptions, and lay the foundation of degraded manhood and premature old age. Now we believe there is no way in which we can employ our evenings so agreeably or profitably, as by reading; and here we would adopt an old maxim — " a judicious friend should choose the books you read." By reading, we do not mean that a man's taste for such should be as voracious as an ostrich's stomach, devouring all that comes in its way; theheapsofnovelsthatareannually "spawned" and published have a most pernicious influence, and can not be too carefully avoided ; but what we do mean, is to read a well written non-political, non- sectarian newspa]ier, and an agricultural paper or two. Here permit me by digressing to say that the method adopted by you of getting farmers to write for the Genesee Farmer, thus giving the results of practical experiments, is far superior to the imprac- ticable theories of " agricultural professor.^," no mat- ter as .scholars what their abilities may be. Judi- cious reading is one of the only aTuusements that leaves no "sting behind." Aurelius, tlie Emperor, used to say he had more pleasure from what he had read and written, than from all tlie victories he had gained, or all the realms he had conquered ; and he 20r THE GENESEE FARMER. said truly, for it left a cultivated mind behind, in- stead of wee[)ing widows, desolate orphans, and a wasted country, — the general results of conquest. But the pleasure to a cultivated taste arising from reading, is as open to the peasant as the prince ; nay, more so — no vexatious cares of State to annoy, no volu[)tuousness to degrade, no schemes of con- ([uest or aggrandisement to rack liis brain, no wild speculations or visionary projects to disturb him, wiiere is the man who has the leisure or the oppor- tunity a farmer has in winter of amusement or in- struction from books? When his day's work is over, seated in his house, surrouded by the me tu- bers of tlie family, how agreeably can the evening be employed in reading a good or an interesting book. By reading the histories of other countries, and comparing the moral and social condition of its inhabitants with his own, he is capableof more fully appreciating the privileges he enjoys. By improv- ing his leisure, he may become useful and respected, lie will learn his duties as a 'ibject, a citizen, a neighbor, or a parent, more truly, and thus be ca- pable of discharging them more efficiently. By reading, we can make ourselves acquainted with the choicest thoughts of the most eminent men ; we can, as with the fabled wand of enchant- ers, conjure up the spirits of departed worth ; we can make the jjatriot plead with all his soul-stirring eloquence before us, the lawyer with his accustomed and peculiar sophistry, the philosopher with his profound research, and the piilpit with its sublime and sacred truths ; we can see Paul, in all the zeal of his high and holy calling, pleading before Agrip- pa, or follow him through his many and various wanderings, and listen to the glorious truths he enunciated, and the heavenly eloquence that felt from his lips; or are we in a "lighter mood," we can take the works of the most eminent poets, the sweet and sentimental lyrics of Mookr, the plain rusticity of Burns, or the lofty conceptions of tlie inimitable Byron; while among the numerous po- etical works extant, the most fastidious taste can revel to satiety. When we tlius make these highly gifted men our companions, will aiiy one say we can make better use of our time than by conversing with thejn ; for when we have their works, any time we read them we are in fact conversing -with them, yet how many are there who care but Mttie for the rich intellectual banquets thus prepared for them, and ditfused, we were going to say, with a prodigal hand. Were the youth of our country to consider their true position — to consider that the progress of nineteen centuries is in a few years to be handed over to them; that every office of honor or emohi- ment is open to their competition ; that fnMn among their ranks must inevitably be selected the very men who will adorn the page of future history, or become profound divines, stand high in the legal .profession, prosperous as merchants, or ejninent in •arts and sciences, or rise to the highest honors of the state — but the idea is unlimited, — were they to consider this, surely they would think preparation necessary, and, youth and leisure improved, would be" far, very far, from thrown away. Let not the farmer, then, spend his evenings in sloth and carelessness, but improve his mind by reading, and he will find it the most profitable and agreeable method of spending his winter evenings. Goi^nch, a W. J. p. ADVANTAaES OF AN AGRICULTUBAL LIBSARY. The man who guides tlie plow is no longer a slave — he thinks. lie turns up the soil in unques- tioning silence no longer — he reasons — he inquires. The sun is to him no longer a i evolving meteor shoot- ing through the heavens at the rate of more than three hundred millions of miles per day; the earth is no longer a vast plain, unstudied and unknown. The man w ho guides the plow is no longer the most deplorably ignorant of all the sons of men : he no longer considers mind-culture, oi)posed to agricul- ture. Such has not always been the case ; farmers have improved as a class. The cause of their im- provement is the reading of printed matter, promi- nent among which stands that relating lo their own pursuits. The reading of agricultural literature, like the labor of agriculture, is without any contaminating in- fluences. The heart of him' who reads of agricul- ture, is elevated, instructed, and refined. The re- sult maybe favorable to the cultivation of the farm, but its greatest value is in the cultivation of the mind. The day when the farmer is ashamed to be an educated man only in " figgers," has passed away; he now has books of his own,, papers of his own, thoughts of his own, and libraries of his own ; and only supported by him. The day of his abasement is gone. That antiquated annual, provided to tell the changes of the moon, the sun's rising and set- ting, and the day of the month, is less consulted, — superstition is losing in the number of its slavish followers. The plowman dares to inquire, to doubt, and to reason. There has been a manifest improvement ia the mass of taruiers, since our early memory. A change for the better,brought about by the reading of agricul- tural literature. The agricultural library has its uses as well as the plow. The mind has to be cultivated as well as the broad acres. The library of the man is an index of the man — it shows the currents of his thouglit — theVlesires which ])rompt him and the am- bition, the success of which would reward him. — For the great conflict of life, a knowledge of ag- ricultural science is worth more than all that may be added in a college course, and a full knowledge of (^diemistry is of more value than all the dead languages. The value of the latter is lilliputian,, com- pared with the former ; and chemistry is feeble in its claims, compared with strictly practical agricul- tural literature. In speaking of agricultural literature, we con- sider horticultui-e embraced in the subject. The two comprise the most ennobling subjects to be found within the whole republic of letters. The names of Buel and Downing, untarnished in fame, are written upon our list of men of noble deeds. The laurels won by them are not oiily recorded by man, but are reproduceKl in the earths history in an- nual editions as the seasons revolve by the unchan- ging hand of the Almighty. Their hearts were such hearts as agricultural literature forms ; their love was such a love as their occupation taught — a love of the highest perfection in the creations of God, prominent among which is man. The whole genius of their recorded thoughts is ennobling — ap- pealing to the unsullied and the pure in man. The influence or the advantages of an agricultural ibrary are beyond mention. Farmers' childrea THE GENESEE FARMER, 21 love to read the truths of literature in the descrip- tion of tlie birds and beasts of the farm earlier than the word-paintings of fiction. It is not so much the superior cultivation of the farm as of the man, that M-e claim as an advantage gained by agricul- tural libraries. We have shown that the fanner has progressed. The truths which shoiald be stored in •every f&rmer''s library 'are tlie cause of that progres- sion. We care not through what channel it may have reached him — tlie ctilumns of the newspaper, the agricultural paper, or the address or lecture. The ligitimate office of the agricultural library is the transmission of such knowk-dge, such man-im- proving trutlis, as sh;ill elevate him from tlie position of the unthinking plowman to the intelli- gent citizen. The time is at hand when tlie agri- cultural library will be the ladder by which tlie mere man will climb into mind, and avail himself of the labor of worthy intellects gone before. The time is not distant wlien the farmer will study yet snore closely the mysteries of his occupation. We are but witnessing the clearing away of tiie fog of superstition and prejudice — the symbolical almanac is scarcely dethroned as yet; the result will be when man hits put oft' his superstition. Let it come ! Let the light of knowledge shine ? The best way to obtain an agricultural library is by the purchase of bitoks upon subjects that you are interested ia. Read thoroughly, and let no precou- C'ieved dogmatical narrow-mindedness prevent you from being instructed. When you have read thor- oughly, add to wliat you have a< befwre. You can buy uiuch chea[)er by buying a (quantity at once. — Yofi can not get a library of general miscellaneous agricultural literature more chea[)ly than by taking and preserving such papers as the Geneme Farmer. By all means study to improve your mind and busines**. jno. sanfield. Out We^, iTofX 1S57. THE BEST METHOD OF DESTBOYING BED BOOT. In destroying this pest of the farm, an ounce of preventive will be found worth much more than a p )und of cure. A few days' work in the spring, oii the clover and wheat tields, will keep it entirely off the farm: and sometimes a day's work given to a slovenly neighbor, for the purpose of getting a ti^eld pulled adjouHug the farm, will not be thrown away, but will be like bread cast upon the waters, i^fter it has once obtained a foothold upon the farm, you might as well give up trying to weed it out; you must stop raising winter grain or clover, and must plaut corn or potatoes, or raise roots and spring grain. Pursue this «eurse for several years, and your land will be free from it. The hard, oily nature of the seed will preserve it, In the ground, many years, and when thrown near the surface with the plow in the fall, it will germinate and jfrow; but if the land is all plowed in the spring, it destroys all that has sprung up, and any further accumulation of seed in the soil, is prevented. JTeic/ane, Magara Co., M. Y. C. 0. WILSON. Ix Germany, it is as common to blanket cows In winter and in wet weather, as it is to 1)lanket horses in this country. This care is well repaid by a greater flow of milk, and a less consumption of fodder. BBEAKING COLTS. Whex the colt is two or three days old, his edu- cation should commence. A halter and a few mo- ments time at this age will save a deal of labor at a more advanced period. A colt thus early brought to terms, will not entirely forget las teaching, even if allowed to run unrestrained a long time. I once began with a colt at this age, merely catching and holding him a few times, using no halter at all. — He had just learned to be quiet in my hands when I was obliged to stop handling him. When four or five months old he receiued a halter quietly, - and thongh large and strong, made but little resis- tance. Tlie second or third winter the process of bitting should commence. Procure a bridle with a gag-rein and two side straps, about four feet long, a strong padded girt with a check hook and two buckles about twelve inches from the check hook for the side straps, a back strap and crooper, and you have a good and at the same time cheap bitting harness. Dress the colt in this frequently, taking care to keep his mouth sound. Leave the gag-rein quite loose at first, t\ir the colt will find enough to distract liim without being obliged to hold his head in a very unnatural position. Many colts are injured seriously by being incautious or unreasonable in this matter. As soon as tlie colt submits, which he will evince by more orderly behavior, shaking his head and champing the bit, the harness should be removed and the colt allowed to be quiet. By submitting, I here mean merely yielding to the rein as then placed. As he becomes accustomed to the bit, the check may be gradually shortened until his head is brought to the proper place. The object of the side strap is merely to draw the nose in as the head is brought up, for which purpose they are much better than the martingal, wliich tends to draw the head down too much. As you go around the colt during this proce-s teach him not to fear you, and begin to teach him the signals for starting, stopping &c., and by the time, or even before he is well bitted you may with a pair of reins drive him before you at pleasure. — This lesson should be well learned before beginning another. Do not try to hurry matters too much at any stage of the proceedings. Next put on the collar, and perhaps the wliole of the wagon harness soon. If possible hava a gor^d reliable horse to drive him with for a time. Drive with discretion according to the age and strength of the colt. It 19 unnatural' exercise and he soon becomes tired. I would not be understood to say that a colt can be worked at two or three j-ears old, but if of good size and well kept, the bitting may be commenced and a little very light driving be done to advantage as early as the second winter. Care must be taken not to overload a young animal, or to place him in any position where he will be likely to fail, for in this way balking, kick- ing, and many other evil tricks are engendered. At all times avoid frightening him ; gain his confidence by every means in your power, and when he fully trusts you, your influence over him will be great. To accomplish this, keep perfectly cool yourself. You will, no doubt, find your pa- tience sorely tried many times, but remember that 22 THE GENESEE FAKMEE. your colt lias all yonr requirements to learn, and that without tlio aid of reason. Never punish until you are sure he understands your wishes, and is determined in refusing to obey; then be calm and firm until he submits. There is no need of one half the trouble many experience with colts, if they are only treated kindly and firmly. At least this is my theory, and having tried and found it true in more cases than one, I am inclin- ed to like my plan pretty well. In short, when I have taught a colt his paces thoroughly and he learns that the harness and other accoutrements will not hurt him, I have little fear for the rest as long as I can drive him myself, but take him when and where I please. u, FredonM, Chan. Co., N. Y., 1S57. TREES ON THE FBAIRIES. WnEX we consider that over more than half of the area of the United States there already exists, or will exist at an early date, a great scarcity of timber for all piirposes, the importance of our subject will be seen in its true light. At the East, the never satisfied appetite of stove and engine is continually crying, give, give, and every day the supply is less- ening, and the demand increasing. At the West, new fires are constantly being kindled, and tlie stinted growth of timber is failing rapidly. The question of growing timber for shelter and fuel, must be shortly forced upon us. Why not an- ticipate its actual coming, ' "per force," a few j'ears, and consider the only means by which we may evade dire elfects? The growing of timber for l)reseut use, as shelter, is a present pressing neces- sity. It is felt in whiter, when the mercury is down a score or more degrees below zero. It is felt when the winter wind howls over the prairie like the avenging spirit of a winged demon, the herds and flocks fleeing before it to the grove, from their oti'ered food, like frightened lambs before fam- ished wolves. It is felt when, upon entering within the influence of the grove, the storm-beaten traveler notes the milder temperature. A subject of more importance to half the United States, could not be chosen. Bleak, cheerless, treeless and uninviting, the wide and fertile prairie stretches away beyond the home- seeker's vision. How often he repeats, "Oh, if here only was a little grove of timber, to protect witli its shade in summer, and shield from the winds of winter, I could be content — yea, would be glad to build my home." Any aid which can be given to overcome such inconveniences as tliese, cannot fail being valuable to the settlers and home- builders of the West. We have made this want of the settler and the means of overcoming it, the subject of study for the last year, and will now I>roceed to give the result of our inquiries and ex- perience. The first thing to be observed in growing timber on the prairies, is to prevent the annual visit of fire ■m common in autumn and early spring. Soon after the fires cease, different varieties of timber early spring up, and make usually a rapid growth. But it is from artificial means we hope for "the most in the growing of tunber. And of these we consider propagation by cuttings the mos-t expeditious and certain mode. Of these the Golden Willow and Cotton Wood, natives of eveiy prairie grove, and the rapid-growing Poplar — always keeping pace with civilization — are cjuick growing and easily propagated varieties, suitable for eitlici- shelter, or- nament or fuel. They grow well trojii cuttings, ami are as easily prof)agated as the currant. They will make a growth of two feet in circumference in from six to eight years, and the willow throws out an enormous branching top. The Poi)lar is a tree frequently found growing about old homesteads at tlie East. It iHakes a very rapid grov\-th — is clotlicd witii limbs fj-om near the ground to tlie to]), wliicli shoot out fi-oni the trunk unlike the branches of other trees, keeping close to the parent trunk, jnid frequently seen tiead and liv- ing, interspersed all along uj) the tree. The trunk maintains its size to coii'~idei'able heigiit, apparently little diminislied l)y loss fro?u branclies. It grows readily from cutting-^, and I iiave seen good shelter- ing fence growing of it Avhich liad been stuck but few years. We wish we could ui"ge ifpon every prairie farmer the importance of jtlanting — planting — continually planting, or sticking down slips or cuttings of these trees. In addition to these, the locust is an impor- tant tree, and its wood is second m value to none other grown in our climate. Every Western farmer should gather liberally of tlie seeds of this tree, and scatter them with no sjiaring hand. They grow readily, and but a few yenrs are needed to produce a grove of locust trees large enongli for fence posts and fuel. The Black Walnut is another variety worthy the attention of farmers, and they should seek to grow these valuable trees, not only for jdeasnre, but clear profit. They grow vigorously when in favorable locations, and the fruit with wliich they are annually laden is a good argument, if none other existed, why they should be grown. Other trees there are deserving of attention, but none of them so rapid in growth and so easily cultivated, as the first named in this article. We have not yet said enough of our favorites of the list above given, viz.: The Willow, the Cotton Wood and the Poplar. We fear that any variety of timber not easily and rapidly grown, will fail to meet with that attention which the subject demands. Hence, we again speak of cuttings, and urge upon every farmer the growing of these by the roadside, in the fieldsides — everywliei-e, where man passes, or wliere he or the brute creation may want them for shelter or fuel. For ornament, the two first named above, when grown from cuttings, with plenty of room, are second to few much more ap- })lauded trees. Plant them, oi" rather stick them with crow-bar and mallet, about your cattle yards, your lawns, and your line fences. Stick them where it is too dry to grow grain, and too wet to grow grass. — • Stick them anywhere and everywhere, only so you kef]) multiplying their number, and hastening the "good time coming," when we shall have the prairie dotted with the eye-gladdening sight of growing trees, and these shall be unlimited evidence, increas- ing with each rolling year, that we are in eai'nest in the Avork of planting trees. jno. saxfield. Out West, Nov. 26, 1S5I. THE GENESEE FARMER. 23 SHEEP ON THE PBAIBTES. TnE keeping of sheep on the prairies, has thus for, wlieri uiidertakeo, been conducted in a slovenly and uufarmerlike manner. Wool growing has not yet received that attention which it deserves as a distinct branch of business, at the hands of the prairie farmers. Tiie same inconveniences exist here that do in other places in the same latitude, escept the dithculty of providing food, wliich, in any tolerable locality here, cau be done with little expense. Sheep will be subject to the same degree of winter's cold, rendered more severe on the open prairie by the unbroken wind?i — which no animal can well endure. The summer is usually hot and dry, being well suited to the wants of the sheep. — Well sheltered from the winter winds by sheds, and as carefully tended as at tlie East, the raising of sheep cannot fail to succeed as a business, with jess expense than at the East. The keeping of sheep on the open prairie, is ren- dered more dirticult than it otherwise would be, by the existence of a law, in this and other Western States, all(»wing cattle and horses to run free, but obliging sheep to be kept in fenced pastures or watched if running on the open prairie. This is in consequence of the grain fields being generally sur- rounded with a fence which sheep could go under without difficulty. But many ample sheep pastures could be selected where no expense for fencing need be incurred yet for many years, by the flocks being guarded at night and taken to theii* pastures early in the morning. In consequence of ihe law above mentioned, few sheep are kept by farmers, as it is difficult to carry on a mixel husbandry, embi-acing grain growing — the great business of the Western farmer — and cat- tle growing, at least enough to supply the farm, with the high prices for and scarcity of help which has been experienced for the last few years. To keep sheep in large numbers upon the open prairie, a shepherd Avould be necessary to keep un- der his supervision the ditlfcrent flocks, and see that each was cared for and in its proper place. Winter sheds can be constructed at no great ex- pense, of posts, fence boai'ds and prairie liay of the coarser kinds, or straw, of Avhich an abundance can be had for the drawing. Large pastures can be enclosed with wire fence at no great expense. which is amply sufficient to stop sheep, and is coming into more and more general fovor for com- mon farm fence. AV'e consider the reasons why sheep growing has not been entered into as a distinct branch of busi- ness more extensively than it has, to be — First: That money has been lu-inging such high rates of interest as to give little promise to capitalists of anything paying better. Second : The speculation going on in real estate, has served like the "ignis fatiuis" to blind all eyes to any other source of gaining wealth; and — Thirdly: That the growing of grain has been so remunerative as to satisfy the desires of the farmer, and attract all his capital and attention. These, and no lack in the profit of the investment, are the causes wliy farmers here have not made of sheep and wool growing a distinct business, as we hold they might, with as good or better results to themselves than from the growing of grain, where it has to be transported at half its ^alue to a distant market. Sheep growing, thus far, 1^ not developed any stubborn disease to which the sheep is more subject in this locality, than at the East. They need not be obliged to run upon low, swampy ground, any more than there. The u[»land prairie, when closely fed with sheep, sooli grows white clover, of which it produces quite luxuriantly. The Avool and mutton markets are usually quite brisk, and, from inadequate supply, frequently equal the Eastern prices. jxo. sanfield. Out West, Koc., 1S.5T. KEEPING DAIRY COWS THROUGH TSE WINTER. Ix keeping dairy cows in cold weather, the first thing is to provide proper shelter from the frosts and storms of this inclement season. We all know that it is poor economy to feed cows from stacks in the oi)en field, and leave them exposed to the storms and winds of Avinter. It will take nearly one-third more hay to keej) up the animal heat, besides what is Avasted by l)ehig trampled under foot: This makes (piite an item in economy ; but feed them as you will, they will come out poor in the spring, and consequently Avill not give more than three-fourths as much milk as if in good condition. But many that stable their cows do not gain much in consequence of croAvding them too thickly together, and fasten- ing their heads tightly between upright stakes or boards, or by having poorly constructed racks or mangers, and suffering them to lie in their filth. If cattle are fastened too closely together, they liO(jk and tease each other, besides robbing each other of their food. They should have sufficient room to stir. A stable thirty feet long, will make nine stalls ; it should be twelve feet Avide, hicluding mangers. The mangers should be made of plank, twelve feet in depth and Avidth. The stalls should be what I call half-stalls, dinding the mangers and reaching back to the middle of the cows. This will prevent their hooking or scaring each other, aiul leave room to milk them. Behind the coavs, the floor should drop tliree inches. Tlie mangers should be scooped out Avhere the coav's necks come. In front they should be boarded up tight, except a space eiglit inches Avide six inches from the floor. — The floor should be Avide enough to alhnv of feed- ing tables, three feet Avide, made in sections of ten or tAvelve feet, and fastened Avith hinges at the bot- tom and let doAvn to a proper angle, for the hay to slide doAvn, as the coavs puU it through. When not needed, the tables can be tipped up and liut- toned. This plan succeds AveU. The coavs pull tlie feed through as they eat it, and Avill not hook it about and waste it. One can put in straAv and they will eat it very well, thinking that something l)etter is beyond their reach. The cows should be fastened by a strap, rope, or chain, around their necks or horns, and fastened to tlie manger. So much for stables; and the reason why I say- so nmch about them is because they are so often poorly constructed, if made at all. As for feed, I think that in a dairy country, hay is the cheapest for principal food, although some roots may be raised and fed to advantage. If one has a large quantity of straAV, it is good economy to feed it to coavs; they Avill not eat it up clean, but what is left Avill make good litter; and the coavs Avill need some grain to do Avell. After nil, hay is the main thing to depend on, and should be fed in small ^quantities 24 THE GENi:SEE FARMER. four or five times a day, and then it will be eaten Tip clean, and the cows will thrive and do well, if well taken care of. Tliey slionld be kept clean, and only turned out in cold weather lon;:^ enough to drink. Towards spring, they should have a little meal or some bran, every day, to have them in good condition when they come in. Jam, Wyoming Co., K. Y. ANDREW J. TAYLOR. CANADA THISTLE. The Canada Thistle {Ciugus aitensis) is one of the most troublesome weeds on the farm, and any clieap and easy method of destroying it would be a great boon to farmers. It is a perennial plant, with long creeping roots, by wliicli it eiisily spreads it- self, and is so tenacious of life that when it once gets possession of tlje soil, it is a work of both time and labor to subdue it. As prevention is always better than cure, every farmer should prevent, as much as possible, any thistle from growing to seed, as Nature has furnish- ed the seed with plumes, by which the wind car- ries them over a whole neighborhood. It is this in part that renders the thistle so difficult to subdue, as no matter how careful our farmers may be, if IjIs neighbor allows thistles to go to seed, they will surely find their way all over his farm. The mosich will help to ensure their de- trnction. "^Ye have often rend nod heard of ea.«y methods of killing the thistle, such as certain days of the year, or certain stages of the moon; bnt we are afraid tha*^, like learning, there is no royal road to the des- truction of the Canada thistle, as Avhen they once get possession of a farm they reqnire ninch labor to get them out, and constant Avatchfulness to keep them out. One great cause of their having overrun the country so much, is the constant cropping of land without any regular rest or rotation. Were all farming land regularly ftillowed and seeded down, and proper care taken to cot all thistles growing on waste lands — road sides and corners of fences — the Canada thistle would cease to be that very troublesome noxious weed on almost all long- cleared farms that it now is. "W. E. CbOourff, C. W., Nov. 28, 1S5T. THE BEST METHOD OF PULVERISING A HEAVY CLAY SOIL. TnE best method of pulverising a heavy clay soil, in order that it may be good for cultivation, is: first, make it dry, either by an open drain along the ujiper side or head land and down two sides to some outlet below, or by underdraining, or both ; and then, if there is any swam]) muck or boggy lands accessible, give it a deep coat theretrom, which can be done to good advantage if the owner has both kinds in his possession on the same farm ; for in or- der to reclaim the boggy land, it needs heavy clay,, and, therefore, when a load of bog is drawn up from the swamp» take down a load of clay ; and then no time is lost. And as the bog needs a ditch to take off the stagnant water, just exchance what comes out of the ditches. But if neither bog nor [swamp muck can be obtained, let the first direction be kept in view, namely, the ditching of the field ;, then let plenty of rough nianure, — the rougher the' better — be a])plied, and if deep plowed, a good quan- tity of pn>per burnt lime. The lime should not be more than half burned. My reasons for tliis are the following: If a heavy coating of well burned lime is applied to land, it is mostly injurious to the first crop, whereas lime with core in it does not all dissolve the first year, but every year it sheds .*; new coat off the core and sinks farther into the soil until it is all spent, and thus enriches the soil, still pul- verizing as it goes, and by thorough cultivation makes a rich productive soil. But lime should never be applied to land as a fertilizer, unless it be either naturally dry or well drained. h. kai^;ex. Cotjield, Mercer Co., Pa. THE GENESEE FAEMEB. WHAT AEE THE BEST PASTTJRES FOR DAIRY COWS ] BKEAKING STEERS. There are few subjects of more practical impor- tance to the country generally tliau that of the best paotures for dairy cows. The great and rapidly in- creasing interests of the dairy business of tlie conn- try make it a question of moment as to what are tlie most valnable grasses with which to stock our pastures. It must be confessed there has been, and is yet, a great want of interest in the subject. Most farmers seed with Timothy and clover, without a thought whether there is anything better. It is generally admitted that Timothy malces the best hay, anel clover is one of the best plants for renova- ting the soil ; but Timothy will not bear close pas- turing, and clover is not well relished by most kinds oi" stock. Charles L. Flint, of Massachusetts, has lately written a book on The Grasses and Forage Crops of America, Avhich contains much valual)le informa- tion. From that we gather that the most success- ful farmers of Europe and America have found it profitable to^seed with a good many kind of grasses, so selected as to have one or more in peri *ction in each month, thereby kee[)ing up a succession of feed, wliich can not be done where only one or two kinds are sown. He recommends for permanent pastures. Meadow Foxtail, two pounds; Orchard Grass, six pounds ; I^ard Fescue, two pounds ; Fall Fescue, two pounds; Meadow Fescue, two poimds; Italian Rye Grass, six pounds; Perennial Rye Grass, six pounds; Timotliy, four pounds; Redtop, two pounds; Rough Stalked Meadow Grass, three pounds; Red Clover, two pounds; Perennial Clover, Uiree pounds; and White Clover, five pounds; forty- five pounds in all. But to jump from only one or two to such a profusion of grasses, is asking more of most farmers than they will undertake. Yet if they can not obtain such a multitude of kinds, they can, at least, and those who are most awake U) their interests will, stock the pastures for their dairy cows with Orchard Gr.ass, .June Grass, or Ken- tucky JJlue Grass, Timothy, Redtop, Clover, Ital- ian Rye Grass, and Sweet-scented Vernal Grass. Of the Orchard Grass, Mr. Flint, Judge Btel, Judge Peters and Colonel Powell say it is one of tlie most valuable of pasture grasses, even taking precedence of the far famed Blue Grass. Of the June or Blue Grass, it need only be said that the cattle ahvaj's keep it gnawed close where they have access to it. Italian Rye Grass is a very gross feed- er, but not as nutritious as Timothy, yet it is con- sidered one of the best of grasses for soiling. Ver- nal Grass produces but a light crop, and comes to maturity early, and is chiefly valuable for the deli- cate flavor it imparts to the butter of cows fed up- on it. Another reason for sowing a greater variety of seeds is tliat the earth is not as soon robbed of any one of tlie constituents of plants, as it is where only one kind of grass is grown. And again, if only one grass is sown, there will always be spots where that kind will not grow as well, and those s])ots are very apt to produce a crop of weeds or foul grass ; yet those very places would be just sucli as some of the other valuable grasses would delight in. But we want carefully conducted experiments to determine what and how many kinds of grass are best for cows. Who will undertake this and report to the Farmer. L. Z^in, Fa., Decemder, 185T. In breaking steers, one of two things is necessary — that the operator begin before tlie animal has strength enough to be unmanageable, or when ho does begin that he put him where he cannot get out from under his control. Any trick allowed at this time, or advantage given, will soon become a confirmed habit. The formation of bad habits should be studiously guarded against— young steers will learn in one day what much aftercare can hardly lireak them of. The best way to break steers to the yoke, is tn take them in the Ijeginning into a small well fenced yard, from which they cannot escape, and keep them as much under your power as you would a horse, driving them about the yard without the yoke, until they are wearied enough to have it put on them without opposition. After they are yoked, keep them going— unyoke and yoke them until it can be done handily, and when. you leave them, chain or tie them so they cannot move from the si)ot, that they may leam to stand when left at any time. As soon as you can drive them Avhere you like in the yard without trouble, you can do so out of it. To break steers in this manner, usually consumes four davs, so as to be as work-A\-ortliy as by the old method, in two months; and one man can keep two or three pair on the drill about as easily as one. Steers trained to the yoke in this manner, retain more of their sprightly native character and dispo- sition— move quicker — and if well managed, are more docile and valuable when oxen. We would as soon think of putting a young boy into difficult calculations in higher mathematics to learn arith- metic, as to put steers to labor without previous drilling and training. w. u. gaedner. _ Uonihy, Steaiben Co., K Y. RATSIKG, GATHERING, ATTD CLEANING CLOVER SEED Raising clover seed, is always done after the first crop of hay is taken off". If a field is well set with clover, it is generally left to lay for a second crop if it can be spared ; and if found that it contains seed, it is mowed for the seed. In this section it grows mostly too rank, and it is but seldom that it contains much seed, particularly if a wet season. The best method of gathering clover seed yet dis- covered in this section, is by the us-e of a Reaper, the same as for cutting grain ; with a fork or rake take it off" the platform, whenever there isenough to make a small heap. The heap can be set in rows if properly managed. The reaper can be set low and straw and all cut, or high and tlie heads only will be lopped oflf, which will save a great deal of labor, and also leave the straw on the fields as ma- nure. The crop should be left out till so dry that the seed Avill shell well. It should have at least one or two weeks good weather, before it is taken in tlie barn or put on stocks. To thresh the clover, put it through a threshing machine, with a long shaker attached to it, and what falls through it is preserved, and contains the seed. The best and quickest way to clean the seed is by the use of a huller and separator made expressly for this purpose. lit should then be sieved with a sieve expressly I made for the purpose. « _^ I Enterprise, Lancaster Co., Pa.j ?6 THE GENESEE FARMER. THE BEST TIME FOR CUTTING THE VAEIOUS KINDS OF GRAIN. TnE cereals, togetlicr witli other vegetable mat- ter, are composed of organic and inorganic elements. Of the latter, it is not now necessary to speak. — The organic matter is divided into nitrogenous and iion-nitrogenons substances. Gluten, gelatine, fibrin, albumen, casein and legnmen, are the principal com- pounds in which nitrogen or azote are found. Sugar, gum, starch, mucilage, woody fibre, &c., are the jion-azote princii)les. The azote ])rinciples form the muscular sul)stance of the animal body, and the power of a plant to sustain animal life is just jn proportion, to the amount of these principles Avhich it contains. Tlie non-nitrogenous principles form the fat and help to keep up the heat of the animal body. These various principles are all onlv diti'erent combinations of the gasses, carbon, oxy- gen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, which the plant ob- tauis from the earth, water, and air, and are elabor- ated by the growing plant until it linally forms the seed or grain. Therefore, as the whole organic ])art of the plant is formed of so few principles, and as it is evident tlsat there are constant changes taking place in it wldle growing, the question is, what is tlie proper time to cut short those changes, in order for the husbandman to reaj) the greatest profit from liis labors? In other words, at what time does the plant contain the most gluten, albumen, fibrin, itc, and least woody fibre, iSrc, and so of course contain the greatest proportion of life-sustaining matter. Now, it is found that plants form sugar, woody- fibre, &e., very rapidly to\vards the last stages of their growth, and the opinion is held by many of our best farmers that wheat, in particular, contains less albumen, &c., when dead ripe, than while it is in the doughy state, Init more starch, woody-fibre, &c. Now, as these last principles are of much less value, in the animal economy, than tlie former, it is of course wisdom to cut grain in the dough state. I am not aware of any experiments to test the truth of this opinion, yet general impressions are often correct, and I believe this one to be. Buckwheat ripens so unevenly, that, if the Aveather ])ermits, it pays best to let it stand until the last blossoms are brown. G. c, l. Lynn, Susq. Co., Pa., 1857. MANAGEMENT OF PERMANENT GRASS LAND. Much difference of oi)inion exists among farmers on the management of Grass Laud, and especially of Land that is to remain in grass permanently. * In this article I shall simply give my views, which are the results of some eleven years experience and ob- servation. If the land is designed for pasturage, let the fences around it be made good every spring, and at any other time that they may by accident get out of repair. The pasture should be cleaned of all stones and stumps in order that the whole surface may be available for grass. Stock of any kind should not be allowed to go on verv early' in the spring or late in the f\Ul lest the sod be stamped and cut up badly with the feet of the cattle and horses, and made much less productive than it otherwise would be, and also tliat in tlie spring the grass may get well started. A good manure for pastures is plaster sown broadcast in the spring; this, with the tlroppings of the stock will greatly increase the quan- tity and quality of the grass. For a permanent meadow, the directions previously given in reference to fences and removing stones, stumps, &c., should be observed. Do not allow stock to pasture on the meadow at any season of the year, for it injures meadows very much to be eaten down by stock and the surface will always be injured more or less by be- ing trodden by animals at any season. Most kinds of manures can be apidied with profit, but do not neglect to sow broadcast one or two hundred pounds of ]>laster per acre every spring as soon as the fif- teenth of April, if practicable. In the spring the meadow should be thorougly rolled as soon as it is dry enough to allow the team to Avalk on it without stamping up the surface. Every year if possible, and certainly every second year after tlie crop of hay has been harvested, or, as soon as the first of September, let there be drawn twenty -five or thir- ty cart loads of barn yard manure, comjiost from the compost heap, or leached aslies,and evenly spread over the surface of the meadow. This ai»pli('ation or top dressing will cause the grass to spring up and be much more thrifty than it otherwise would be, and the grass and manure will furnish a good pro- tection for the roots of the grass during the wintei*. Meadows thus managed will improve every year. Ulckory Bluff, N. Y. BEE. CUTTING AND CURING CLOVER FOR HAY. I ("ut my clover a-s soon as the first blossoms be- gin to turn brown; 1st because the blossoms at this tune contain a large amount of saccharine matter adapted to the jiurpose of generating animal heat, forming fat, or ])roducing butter. 2d there is less indigestible wood fibre in the stalk than after the formation <>f the seed. Do not cut it when wet either with dew or rain; it costs more time to dry it properly, and the evaporation seems more to in- jure clover than any other kind of grass. Let it lie in the swath until wilted on the top; turn the swath directly over, let it lie a couple of hours, then put it into very small cocks ; if the weather is very fa- vorable it may stand over the next day, but by all means avoid being wet with rain. On the day I get it in, slightly open the cock, turn up the bottom to the sun and it is soon ready for the barn. I pre- fer a scaffold, and pack it as lightly as possible. In 185G I milked several cows in the spring. They were fed two quarts of Indian meal per day each, and as much Timothy hay as they would eat. I then fed clover cured as above for one week, got one-third more milk, twice as much cream, and of better quality. Tlie next week fed Timotliy hay — milk and cream as at first. I then fed clover hay with the same result as before. The same change was made several times in succession with the same result. Last winter I fed about seven tons of clover hay cured as above without any grain, — cow gave abundance of milk, horse grew fat, and colt contin- ued to grow through the winter as fast as through the summer before. Clover cut after the seed is formed is neai-ly val- ueless as fodder, as all who have tried it well know. Clover as well as other hay is often "dusty." This I apprehend is owing to its not being entirely free from water when placed in the mow. Marathon, Cort. Co., N. Y. ALONZO QUINN. THE GENESEE FARMER 2t ADVAin:AGES OF CUTTING GRASS OR GRAIN BY MACHINERY. The superiority of the modern system of cutting gras? :md grain by machinery, over the old way of using the sy the and cradle, is very great: for, in the J first place, it is a saving of time. During the sea- son of harvest, every moment is precious, and an economical use of the Heeting hours, should be sought after by every farmer who would be success- ful in securing his crops well. We will suppose two farmers— A. and B.— have cacli six acres of grass to cut for hay, and thatiV. practices the old method of cutting with a syihe, and B. uses a mowing ma- chine. As it will take no longer to haul one lot of hay into the barn than the other, after it is "made," (supi)osing the distances to he equal) we will take tlie making only into consideration, and see how much time can be saved by the improved method of cutting. Farmer A. and his two hired men commence mowing with their sythesin the morning, and con- tinue until ten or eleven o'clock, when they must stop and shake it out to dry. As soon as this is completed, that which was first shaken, will be ready to turn. It must then be raked into winrows, and afterwards put into small cocks, which will oc- cupy the remainder of the day. In this way, they can cut and make into hay, an acre and a half of I grass, which, I think, is a very fair estimate. At ! this rate, it will take them four days to make the ) six acres. Farmer B. commences his also in the morning witii a good macliine, and by sunset his grass is all down. His two men can be occupied at otlier work on the farm until ten o'clock, wlien they can com- mence turning the grass which was first cut. By two or three o'clock, one of them can commence raking with a liorse-rake, and the other put it in cocks, until four or five o'clock when the raker can also go to cocking. In this way, two acres and a half may be prepared for the barn on the first day. The next day, as soon as the dew is off, the three men can commence turning what is still left on the ground, and as soon as this is completed, one of tiiem can rake, while the other two put it up, and at tiie close of the second day the six acres may be completed. The weather is supposed to be good and the grass also. And I think the com])arison is a very fair one, as I am pretty well acquainted with / both the systems. Thus, one half the time is saved. It is also a saving of labor ; for one man and a good team will cut as much grass as six or seven men with sythes; and they may be employed at work which is far less wearing on the system. But time and labor are money. And supposing wages to be $1.25 per day ; — if half the time of three men (or two days) can be saved, it will amount to $7.50, And supposing the six acres must he cut in one day ; — the wages of the five extra hands will amount to $0.25 ; or, the saving of both time and \A labor, for only six acres will be, according to the ]v above estimate, $13.75. Where a farmer has ten, twenty, or thirty acres of grass to cut, a mowing machine will soon pay for itself. But these are not the only advantages. It is fre- quently almost impossible to get good hands, and sometimes even in localites where they are generally plenty. So that nothing certain la this respect can be depended upon. It is therefore a great object to be able to get along with as little extra help as possible. Nor is this all. For we can neither make it ram nor sliine ; and hay must be made, and grain cut, when tlie sun does shine. We somethnes have a week or two of good weather at the commence- ment of harvest, and then have rain every day or two for a month. Tbe farmer who can take advan- tage of this pleasant weather, and get twice as much done as his old-fashioned neighbor, must cer- tainly feel, as he sees all his hay and grain securely stored a^^^ay, while his neighbors' is being ruined with the soaking rains— that his mower and reaper is worth two or three times its cost. But let us take a peep into the respective kitchens \ of farmers A, and B., and see Avhat the other sex are doing; for he who cares not to see a wife, dangliter, or sister, weary and toiling with unneces- sary labor, should look well into his own heart, for he will there find a great void which should be fil- led with an aftectionate mercy for those whom God has placed beneath his care. In the kitchen of farmer A., everything is hurry, bustle and confusion. They have eight or ten extra men to provide for, and accordingly an extra (juau- tity of bread and pies must be baked, an extra sheep or shoat, must be dressed and cooked, an extra quantity of vegetables must bo prei>ared ; and tea, coffee, dish-washing etc., be increased in the same proportion. They dread harcest. A far- mers' life appears to them a life oi misery ; and who can wonder ? But farmer B. can get along very well with half the amount of hired help, and of course the labor in the kitchen is greatly reduced. They have more wi()usly planted with beautiful trees of various kiuds, than if nothing can be seen but wild fields, dusty roads, and old rail fences. I do not advocate planting trees promiscuously over the fixrm, in the cultivated lields, but wherever brooks and gullies cross, and in all situations not available for purposes of cultivation, where trees will fionrish, I would say, plant them and tend them with care, and you will be made giad as they grow and lift up their green heads in beauty; your children, as they grow lip will thank you for planting them; the birds, as they return in spring, and build their nests in their branches, will sing you songs of thankfulness ; the cattle, as they retreat from the scorching rays of the summer sun to shelter themselves beneath their spreading _ branehe-;, will be grateful for the cool shade. If you should leave your home, and be gone many years, and return to see what beautiful objects they had grown to be, I am sure you would be glad that your hand had planted them. First in utility and beauty for shade trees, are the Maples; their wood is valuable for fuel and tiiaber, and they form such beautiful heads of dense green foliage, and are so richly colored by the frosts of autumn, and last, though not least, yield such quantities of sweet sap, that they should be planted plentifully. The Ash, with its tall, straight stem, and fine head, is good timber and should be planted. The Elm, with its widespread arching branches and pendant limbs, swaying in the lightest breeze of summer, is a beautiful object in any landscape. — The Linden, or Basswood, with its round head and broad quaker leaves is a line tree. Then there are the Oak, the Beech, the Hickory, the Chestnut, and the Blackwalnut all useful and beautiful trees, each of which should receive a share of attention. — Evergreens for winter scenery should also be con- sidered. The Fir, with its straight tapering spire of dense, dark green foliage, is a splendid object. The Pine, with its graceful top ; and the despised, though useful Hemlock, should all be planted for usefulness, and to vary and embellish the landscape. Java Village, Wyoming Co. N. Y. A. J. TAYLOE. CULTIVATION OF STANDAED PEARS. An elderly farmer of Dorchester, Mass., who had planted a large apple orchard and seen it bear lux- uriently, observed to the writer, that if he ever planted another orchard, it should be of pears. " For," added he, "when apple trees bear heavily, the fruit is a drug in the market, and brings but $1.50. per bbl.; whereas, pears would bring from $10 to $20 per bbl., with no more labor in picking." I thought there was much truth in the remark, and had I enough of the proper land, I would act upon the suggestion — tliough good ai)ple orchards should by no means be neglected. As to the profits of pears, nothing need be said to those who live near a city or thriving village ; and the only question is, how far a farmer must be exiled in the wilderness to make pear culture , unprofit- able ? We can imagine some such recluses ; but when an orchard now set shall be in a full bearing state, it might no longer stand in the wilderness, for rail- roads, the greatest artificial blessing to farmers, are so ramifying the new countries that they bring — al- most every morning— the older cities and the newer farming districts into commercial proximity. In cultivating the standard pear for market, I should plant an acre — if I had sufiicient land — and would prefer a strong upland soil, inclined to the south or west. If I could not get this, I would trench the low land so that the roots would be free from excessive moisture — thereby giving a better maturing power to the soil, and enabling" the fertil- izing agents to permeate among and beneath the roots. ^ The lot should be deeply plowed and high- ly cultivated for root crops one or two years previ- ous to setting the trees, which latter should be done in the spring, and perhaps not more than fifteen feet apart each way — giving to tlie acre 193 trees. I should train them as pyramids, keeping the lowest branches within two or three feet of the ground. Care should be taken to keep the land in a fertile state, and root crops for a number of years could be grown in the intermediate spaces. The time when all the resources of the land should be devoted to the trees, judgment should dictate. After the trees begin to bear heavily, some special manuring might be requisite, but, generally speaking, tlie heat miner- al manures are the hoe and the cultivator. :>'" THE GENESEE FARMER. 3-1 The varieties of pears selected should he those kuowii to do well on their own roots — with a lib- eral share of the later kinds. The Bartlett, Ileath- cot, Fulton, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Flemish Beauty, Belle Lucrative, Vicar of Winkfield, Seckel, Maria Louise, Washington, Swan's Orange, Winter Nellis, and Lawrence,VoHld be among the number I would plant in Massachusetts, though position and climate should be considered. By properly cultivating this area of choice pear ti'ees, can any one harbor a thought that it would not constitute the most valuable acre a farmer could possess? Would not his children bless him for it? And could he not feel as just and equal pride in this living monument of his wisdom and industry, as if in his country's cause he had won by his valor the most coveted laurels that could be bestowed. West Medford, Mass., Nw. 1857. D. "VV. L. CULTIVATION OF CRANBERRIES. The cranberr}^ plot may be a peat swamp, a muck swamp, or indeed almost any kind of low land, unless it is too cold, which is not often the case. If it is a piece which can be easily llowed it will be a great deal better, because the vines and fruit may thus be easily protected from the frost, and the ravages of the worm will be eftectually prevented. These difficulties, which are so comjdetely over- come by flowing, are the principal obstacles in tlie way of raising cranberries ui)on upland. But the fact that small natural patches are sometimes found flourishing upon upland, warrants the belief that even there tliey may, with proper attention, be made a renumerative crop. The low lauds are, however, Avithout doubt the best. In i)reparing the bed, if there are any places in which the Avater will stand and stagnate, first drain them ; next take oft' tlie turf, or if a good supjjly of sand is convenient, it will do well to cover the grass with a coating of it from three to six inches in depth. For this purpose, no doubt fine beach sand is best, but any fine clear sand will answer. When the sod is taken oft" from a peat swamp, it sliould be ex- posed to the action of the frost one winter, before the vines are planted, or tlie soil will cake and thus kill them. Excellent cranberries have been raised by digging the muck all oft' from a swamp, and up- on the bottom of hard pan, sowing the berries and covering Avith a thin coating of fresh loam. Having prepared the ground, select such vines as are hnoicn to be good bearers; sej)arate them, and set them up carefully. If the soil is well 'prepared, this will be easily done, and the thicker they are set, the sooner will tliey become matted. Another very good and much easier way is to mow the vines, pass them through a haycutter, sow them broadcast, and rake or harrow them in. They are very tenacious of life, and, sown in this manner, will sprout from each joint, and in a sliort time cover the whole ground. When tlie fruit is gathered in Autumn, the plot should be flowed, and the water allowed to remain upon them in spring till they are safe from iniury by frost. The water should then "be drawn a litt e below the surface and allowed to remain tin oug'i the season. The berries should be picked, not rak- ed, for the rake injures both vine and fruit. _ n. TRANSPLANTING EVERGREENS. No careful gardener ])robably finds much difficulty in transplanting evergi-eens from one ]jart of his grounds to another ; for he will keep attached to the roots as much earth as possible, Aviiich general- ly is sufficient, (when they have been standing in soil rich enough to tempt numerous fibres) to sus- tain tliem at almost any season of the year — though I should prefer June. So in regard to liriiiging them from the nursery — ^tlie more earth Avhich can be taken up, the less particular we need be in the time of setting. But I ])ropose to speak of ti-ansplanting ever- greens under disadvantages. The most difficult of these I find to be the Ileinlock, taken from the forest. About a year ago (in November,) I Avas anxious to procure a few dozen of these trees for my own grounds and knoAving Avhere there was a lot of them in the woods, free to any one Avho Avould go after them, I in-ocured some assistance and set out for them. I took this season because it was convenient — not intending to set them out till spring, but to keep them in the cellar. In taking up these hemlocks it Avould, of course, be Avell to take up as much earth as possible ; but there is hardly none, for the ground is generally rocky, and the roots extend at great length just under the accumulation of leaves, and hardly pene- trate the soil, except in exposed situations. I care- fully pulled up about thirty of these trees, of sizes from one foot high to six, and placed them in tlie corner of my cellar and covered their roots Avith good loam. I reasoned thus : If the Avinter kills these trees as asserted, when ]>lanted late, I will keep mine Avarm in the cellar till spring. In Ax>ril of this year I set them, and occasionally watered them, but on the seventeenth of June there Avere but tliree or four Avhich ])romised to live ! On this day I procured about as many more, Avhich had started nearhj half an inch, and in August nearly half of them were alive. I fancied this a success. During the dampest portion of this month I pro- cured more, but lost about Iavo thirds of them. The question may Avell be asked, Avhy is it that evergreens are more difficult to make live in trans- planting than most other trees? If Ave expose their roots to the air, they very soon dry up, and if Ave plant them early in the spring, the high Avinds shake them and frequently rob them of their vitality. — • We knoAv that a stick of pine Avood Avill dry sooner than one of oak or maple, or the trunk of an apjde tree. Does the volatile character of their turpen- tine destroy the evergreens ? It is said that in these trees the epiderm is is mostly resinous, and this cir- cumstance Avould seem to ])reserve tliem from any escape of vital fluid. Yet it does seem to be a fact that they are more liable to dry up than other trees. Is it because they are transplanted Avith their foli- age, and that the sap evaporates through it before their roots take liold to draAv necessary nourish- ment. I am inclined to the latter belief, though Avitli care they may be made to live. Some chemist or physiologist should analyze the evergreen, and sliOAV us how it is distinguished from the deci. w. l. W. Medford Mass., Mitv. 1857. CULTIVATION OF PLTTMS. The culture of the Plum has received but a meagre share of the attention it merits. The Plum is by no means difficult to propagate ; it comes early to maturity, and is very prolific. At every stage of its growth it is an interesting ti-ee, and while in fruit, is extremely beautiful. It is also very hardy, and has but two or tliree drawbacks — however serious they be — to its general cultivation. The Horse Plum is said to make the best stocks on wliich to work the good kinds, but they are doubtless most easily propagated on the suckers of tlie Canada stock, Prunvs Americana. This species is widely scattered over the country. In New England, where it does not grow wild, it is very frequently met with, in a state of neglected culti- vation by the side of old walls. These suckers sliould be grafted at or below the surface of the gi-ound. If well cultivated, they will commence bearing the third year, and continue vigorous and productive trees for several years. I am aware that the practice of working trees on suckers, is in gen- eral a bad one, very justly unpopular; but if any one doubts the success of the plum in the manner described, let him try it. Select a moist, rich loam, on an elevated position, tliough vallies will, answer a tolerable purpose. The plum is more hardy than the peach, but in frosty places its fruit buds will occasionally be killed. — Work the land deep, and manure highly with stable manure, Avood ashes, peat, chip, dung, etc., using some salt. The ashes should never come in direct contact with the stable manure, as it wastes the ammonia. By thorough working and high manur- ing, even dry soils may be made to answer a very good purpose. Set vigorous yearling trees, and if tliey are on Canada stocks, twelve or fifteen feet is a sufficient distance apart. Cultivate well and ma- nure yearly, keejnng the ground free from weeds and grass. Shorten back all luxurious growths from one-half to two-thirds. This causes fruit spurs to shoot out near the base of the shoot. The Curculio. — A few days after the flowering, when the fruit has burst off the calyx of the flower, which adheres for a time, comes the tug of war. — The curculio is perhaps the most insidious and de- structive pest with which the cultivator has to contend. Various remedies, more or less successful, liave been proposed, but jarring is the only sure one. This should be performed unremittingly. If it is neglected for a single day, the fruit may be greatly injured or spoiled. The operation should be performed in the morn- ing, when the insect is still. The insect is quite sensitive to cold, and a slight concussion brings it to the ground. Pre]>are two sheets, which, when placed side by side, will form a sio gets up the club. Any person sending us $3 for a oJub of eight of the Genesee Far. m^n^ shall receive one copy of the RuraX Annual for his trouble, postage paid. We send the club to one address, or write the name of each sub" scril^ier on his paper, as requested. Our Agents, and Competitors for the above Premiums, will re- member that our terms are always IN ADVANCE. One copy, Fifty Cents a year; five copies for $2; eight cooies lor $3, »iid any greater number at the same rate, (Three Shillings per copy.) J3^ Subscription Money, properly enclosed, may be sent by mail at my risk. Names can be added to a club at any time. Addresa. JOSEPH HARRIS, Jtochester, «.T, 40 THE GENESEE FARMER. Prices of Agricultural Products at the Principal ISIarkets in the United States, Canada and England. NEW YORK, Pec. 21 St PIIILADELP'IA, Dec. 2l8t. ROCHESTER, Dec. 22d. CHICAGO, Dec. 20tb. TORONTO, Dec. 17th. LONDON Dec. , ENG. "th. Beef per 100 lbs , $4.50 @ $5.00 $io.'o'o""@ $Vi.66" $4.00 @ $5.00 $8.25 @ f 13.00 do mess, per bbl., .. Pork, per loO lb.s., do mess, per bbl.... Lard, per lb., $9.00 @ $10.00 6.50 7.50 1.5.00 16.00 .09 .13 .10 .20 .06 .OS 4.40 7 50 .97 1.45 .56 .75 .70 .76 .85 .48 .05 .8J 4.S0 6.00 2.00 2.50 "..35 1.37>i 10.00 13.00 5.25 18.00 .10 .15 .07 4.75 1.00 .60 6.75 .11 .16 .09 6.25 1.20 4.7o 12.00 5.50 12.75 lOoO 15.00 13.00 .08 .13 .10 4.00 .60 .38 .45 .21 .30 6.00 1.75 .80 5.00 13.50 .09 .20 .12 4.50 .70 .44 .23 .60 9.85 .13 .19 .11 7.20 1.29 1.02 .90 .60 .96 .IT .30 .15 Flour, per bbl., Wlieat, per bush Cora, shelled, per bu., Rye, do Oa,ls, do Barley, do $.i.00 @ 1.12 .50 .75 .33 $6.50 1.30 .60 .35 4.00 .60 .5.00 1.10 7.50 1.71 1.08 1.05 .30 .50 7.00 3.00 .35 .56 7.50 3.75 .25 .27 .93 1.26 5.00 2.00 1.40 5.30 2.25 1.83 1.86 Hay, per ton, 8.00 11.00 9.00 16.00 Wood, li;ird, per c"s .'^MUtb-Down Ram "Frank" 14 Three Webb South-Down Ewes ■ 14 Design for a Small Cottage 16 Ground Plan of do 16 Cheap Barn-Door Fastener 18 Norway Maple 35 FOR SALE. QA AAA APPLE SEEDLINGS; OU \)\ni 20,000 Cherry Seedlings. Also, Apple Scions, low by the thousand. Rochester, Jan'y 1, 1858. C. MOULSON. PAUL CHIIiSON'S SELECTED VARIETIES OF CRANBERRY PLANTS, "Y\"^HICH I offer for sale to the puW'c. All those wi.sliing for TT tbe.se valuable plants, wiU ple» le favor lie with their orders. Address PAJL ClIILSON, Jan'y, 1S58.— It* Bellingham, Norfolk Co., Mass. A LONGETT, No. 34 CLIFF STREET, NEW YORK, DEALER in Peruvian, Colnmbi.in and Mexican Guano, Suj)ep- pliosphate of Lirae, and Bone Dust. November 1, 1857. — ly. Tlie Prac'ical and Scientific Farmer's Own Paper, THE GENESEE FARMER, A MONTHLY JOURNAL OP .\GRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE, ILLUSTRATKD WITH NtTMERODS ENGRAVINGS OF Farm Buildings, Animals, Implements, Fruits, &o, VOLUME XVUL FOR 1857. Fifty Cents a Year, In Advanre. Five Copies for $2 ; Eight Copies for $3 ; and any larger number it the same rate. • E3^ All subgcriplions to commence with the year, and the en» tire volume supplied to all subscribers. f^" Post-Mastbks, FARMER.S, and all friends of improvement are respectfully solicited to obtain and forward subscriptions. Specimen numbers sent to all applicants. Subscription money, if properly enclosed, may be sent at the risk of the Publisher. Address JOSKFH HARRIS, June, 1857. Rochester, Nete York. J y-TKi-' ii'S^- VoL, XIX, Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., FEBRUARY, 1858. No. 2. NATUEAL AlfD ARTIFICIAI DRAINAGE. In the practical operations of underdraining, it is important to Lave a correct knowledge of the nature and sources of springs. The crust of the earth is composed of numerous strata, or layers, lying one over the other, some of which, such as gi'avel and sand, are highly porous and absorbent, and readily permit the passage of water ; while others, sucli as clay and some rocks, are nearly, or altogether impervious. AVhen rain falls on a tract of country, part of it flows over the surface, and makes its escape by the numerous natural and artificial courses which may e.xi^t; M'hile another portion is absorbed by the soil and the porous strata which lie under it. L^t the following diagram (fig. 1) represent such a tract of country, and let the dark portions repre- Fia. 1. sent clay or other impervious strata, while the lighter portions represent layers of gravel, sand, or limestone, permitting a free passage to water. When rain falls in such a district, after sinking throngli the surface layer (represented in the dia- gram by a narrow band), it reaches the stratified layers beneath. Through these it still further sinks, if tliey are porous, until it reaches some impervi- ous stratum which arrests its directly downward course and compels it to find its way along its upper surface. Thus, the rain which falls on the space between B and D is compelled by the imper- vious strata to flow toward 0 ; here it is at once absorbed, but is again immediately arrested by the impervious layer E; it is, therefore, compelled to pass through the porous stratum 0, along the sur- face of E to A, where it pours forth in a stream, or forms a swamp. Sometimes, in an undulating country, large tracts may rest immediately upon some highly porous stratum, as from B to C in the annexed diagram (fig. 2), rendering the necessity for di-aining less "1 Fig. 2. apparent ; while the country from A to B and from C to D may be full of springs and swamps, arising partly from the rain itself which falls in these latter districts being unable to find a way of escape, and partly from the natural drainage of the more porous soils adjoining being discharged upon it. Sometimes the strata are disposed in the form of a basin. In this ease, the water percolating tlirough the more elevate ground collects in the lower parts of the strata toward the center, there forcing its way to the surface, if the upper imper- vious beds be thin ; or, if otherwise, remaining a concealed reservoir, ready to yield its supplies to the shaft, or boring-rod of the well-sinker, and sometimes forming a living fountain, capable of rising many feet above the surfacfe. It is in this way that Artesian wells are formed. The rakt which falls on such a tract of country at A and B (fig. 8"), gradually percolates toward the center of the basin, where it may be made to give rise to an Artesian well, as at C, by boring through the superincum- bent mass of clay ; or it may force itself to the sm*- face through the tliinner part of the layer of clay^ as at D, there forming a spring or swamp. 4-2 THE GEN'ESEE FARMER. Again, tlae higher parts of hUly ground are some- times composed of very porous and absorbent strata, while the ]o^^er portions are more impervious, the soil and subsoil being of a very stiff and retentive description. In this case, the water collected by the porous layers is prevented from finduig a ready cxit^, when it reaches the impervious layers, by the stitf sui-face soil. The water is by this means dammed up, as shown in fig. 4. It was on such land that Mr. ELKi:yGT0X Avas enabled to accomplish such astonishing results, by cutting off springs by means of a few deep drains, aided by augur holes driven In fui-ming open drains, in loose soil, the sides should generally slope at an angle of 45 deg., which is the smallest angle at whi«h earth, if it be at all r^r c, J r down into the porous watery strata which consti- tuted the reservoir of the springs. The British gov- ernment awarded him £1,000 for a description of the princii^le upon which his practice was founded. In some districts, where clay forms the staple of the soil, a bed of sand or gravel, completely satu- rated with water, occurs at the depth of a few feet from the surface, following all the undulations of the country, and maintaining its position in relation to the surface over considerable tracts; here and there pouring forth its waters in a spring, or de- noting its proximity by the subaquatic nature of the herbage. Such a configaration is represented in fig. 5, where A represents the surface soil, B the Fig. 5. impervious subsoil of clay, C the bed of sandy clay or gravel, and D the lower bed of clay, resting upon the rocky strata beneath. In addition to the excess of water caused by springs, we have also to remove that caused by rain falling immediately on the land, and which in spring and autumn greatly exceeds the quantity required by plants. For this purpose, open ditches and deep dead-furrows between tlie lands are re- sorted to. They only carry off the surplus water after the soil is completely saturated ; and this they effect by carrying along with it the best portions of the soil and the manure which may have been spread upon its surface. Fig., ff. crumbly, will retain its position.. The above dia- gram (fig. 6) represents a section of such a drain, three feet deep, and one foot in width at bottom. Acute turns are to he avoided, more especially where the t;ill is rapid, or the quantity of water great ; for the hanks are generally hollowed out by the force of the current where such turns occur : and thus it may happen that at the very time when a free channel is of the utmost consequence in dis- charging some flood of rain, a stoppage or impedi- ment may be created by the fall of a portion of the undermined bank. Conduits under ground, or "blind ditches," are the only kind of drains that are permanently effect- ive. These are formed in a variety of ways. "Where tiles or stones can not be had, imderdrains may be made as follows : The first spit, with the turf attached, is laid on one side, and the earth removed from the remain- der of the trench is laid on the other. The last spade used is very narrow, and tapers rapidly, so as to form a narrow wedge-shaped cavity for the bot- tom of the trench. The turf first removed is then cut into a wedge so much larger than the size of the lower part of the drain, that, when rammed into it with the grassy side under- most, it leaves a vacant space in the bottom, of six or eight inches in depth, as in fig. 7. This is the cheapest kind of underdrain, and can be made on almost any soil ex- cept a loose gravel or sand. Unfortunately, however, such drains are very liable to in- jury, and at best can last only a few years. Stone-drains can be made so as to be very durable and efficient. A few years ago, we saw one in England that had been regularly discharging a small stream of water for ninety years^ Fig. 7. THE GENESEE FARMER. 43 and was then as good as ever. Still, as a general rule, they are not so permanent as tile drains, and, where tiles can be obtained at reasonable rates. icMJi^f^^^^^^^^^ ^Jfvv^^^sC^wAVV" U^ ^fe 1 Fio. 9. they are more costly, from the greater width of •drain required. We give cuts of two kinds of -stone drains. Fig. 8 shows a drain formed of flat stones, neatly arranged in the bottom of the trench. The largest and flattest stones are used in laying the bottom, and for covers ; the smaller ones are placed on the sides ; the Avhole forming an open tube, as represented in the cut Fig, 9 shows a stone drain formed by placing first a flat stone in the bottom of the trench, by way of sote ; upon this two other stones are placed, with their lower edges close to the sides of the ti'encli, but having their upper «dges resting upon -each other. Sometimes two flat stones are placed, one on either side of the trench, without any sole, and having the space between them filled up with stones inserted edge- wise. In forming stone drains, the workmen ttsu- ally throw in all the smaller stones which may be left over after the culvert is formed, disposing diem so as to cover up any apertures which may he left between the joinings of the larger stones. Much difierence of opinion exists as to what shape is best for draining tiles. The horseshoe tile Fig. 10. was first Introduced, and has still many advocates ; but as they require some kind of sole to rest upon in loose soils, we incline to the opinion that small Fio. 11. pipes are preferable. Theoreticalli/, the oval (fig. 10) is the best form of pipes; but from the diffi- culty of placing them in the drain expeditiously and properly, we think they are not practically so good as the round pipe (fig, 11), and which can he made at less cost. In cutting the trenches for the reception of pipe tiles, a gi-eat improvement has of late years been introduced, by the employment of the bottoming tools figs. 12, 13. In clay soils, the trench should be cut of a convenient width for the operations of the workman, to within nine inches or a foot of the total depth ; tlie bottoming tool is then employed to take out the remaining por- tion, in the form of a nar- row spit, of Just euflScient size to admit the pipe. By this means no more work is done in cutting than is required, while the fitting of the pipes to each other is secured. In stony soils it is impossible to remove so great a depth as a foot in this manner ; but, at aU events, a few inches should be taken out, so as to se- cure the steady arrange- Fio- 12. Fio. 13. ment of the pipes. Fig. 14 represents a trench cut in clay ready to receive the pipes, and fig. 15 rep resents a section of the finished drain. I i Fig, 15. All soOs, but especially those containing clay, possess the property of expanding when wetted, and contracting when dried ; so that after the di-ain has removed a portion of the water, a Considerable contraction takes place, especially in a dry season ; but as the ends of a field can not approach each other to suit the cDn traction, both soil and sulisoil are torn asunder, and divided into small portions by a network of cracks and fissures. The tendency of draining is to increase and guide the course of this cracking action. The main fissures all commence at the drain, and spiead from it in almost straight Uncs 44 THE GE^CKSEE FAEMEE, into the aubsoil, forming so many minor drains or feeders, all leading to the conduit. These main fissures have numerous s^mall ones diverging from them, so that the whole mass of earth is divided and subdivided into the most minute portions. The main fissures are at first small, but gradually en- lai'ge as the dryness increases^ and at the same time lengthen out ; so that when a very dry season hap- pens, they may be traced the whole way between the drains. The following cut (fig. 16) will give some idea of this cracking action. Tig. 16. "WTien the fissures are once formed, the falling of loose earth into them, and the grooviBg action of the water which passes through them, prevents them from ever closing so perfectly as to hinder the passage of water; whUe each successive sum- mer produces new fissures, till the whole body of the subsoil is pervaded by a perfect network of them, which gradually alters the very nature of both soil and subsoU ; and in connection with judi- cious and liberal manuring, has tlie efiect of con- verting poor cold clays into something not very different from a good clay loam. We had intended offering some practical remarks on draining springy lands, &c., but the length of this article compels us to postpone them to some future number. Dkaught of Plowing at Diffeeest Depths. — It has been laid down in the books, that the draught of a plow increasos rapidly when the furrow is deepened, or, in mathematical terms, according to the squares of the depth; that is to say, that if the draught at four inches deep be 252 lbs., at seven inches it will be as 49 to 16, or 756 lbs. But the experiments of Pusey have proved that this is erroneous. He found that in plowing a furrow nine inches wide and Jive inches deep, the draught was 32'2 lbs. ; at the same width and ia the same soil, six inches deep, it was 308 lbs. ; at seten inches, 350 lbs.; at eight, 420 lbs.; at nine, 434 lbs. It will be seen tliat the rate of iucrease is much less than has been generally supposed; and the facts above indicated furnish an additional argument in favor of deep plowing, and one seldom alluded to by agricultural writers. TKE AKALYSIS OF SOIL ANALYSES. Friexd IIaehis: — It is pretty e-videiit, fi-om your reply to my last letter, that you desu-e a thorough analysis of the practical value of soil-analyses from' me, or you would not have asked me ''to define my position more definitely," and quoted an analysis made by me some twelve years ago to prove "a change of views on this subject." So tar as a pres- sure of other duties will ]iermit, I am wUlhig tO' discuss this, or any other branch of rural science^ with you, so long as there is either interest or profit in the investigation for your readers. They will be,st understand the merits of the question by having placed before them a brief historical review of the api)lication of chemistry to the study of soils, and thereby learn what other men in other countries think of the value of these chemical researches (a). In 1805, the Board of Agi-icnltnre in England engaged Sir HuMritKET Davy to deliver an annual course of lectures before them on Agricultural Chemistry, wliich were continued eight years, and then published in 1813. Davy Avas eminent as a philosopher, and the discoverer of the metallic bases of potash, soda, lime, and magnesia; and gi'catly advanced, by his successful labors, the science to wliich his life and genius were devoted. He not only analyzed soils to the entire satisfaction of his employers and tlie public, bnt probably did more than any other man to introduce the practice on the continent of Europe, and, ultimately, into this country. Ilis knowledge of analytical chemistry applied to the study of soils, enabled him to ascer- tain and pubhsh to the world tJie important fact that they are maiidy composed of three earths, viz : sOiceons sand, clay, and carbonate of lime. lie leai'ned, by repeated analyses, that land in which there was little beside pure sand, or pure pipe clay, or chalk, was nniformlr barren. Actifig on his equally wise and scientific suggestions, enter])rising farmers soon found by actnal expe'unent that to mix these earths — that L^, sand with clay, clay with sand, and lime with both, w^here analysis revealed that either was deficient in quantity (h) — resulted in an increase of fertility. ISov was an analysis necessary to reduce to practice the principles thns established, except in cases of doubt as to the deficiency of lime^ or it might be as to an excess of iron in clay or sand. Ilad practice in the field failed to confirm the truthfulness and value of the teachings of the chemist, it is obvious that his labors in that behalf would soon have fallen into disrepnte with all who had tried to benefit themselves by seeking the assist- ance of the laboratory. Against every prejudice, and all odds, soil-analyses maintained their gi-ound, and rapidly extended into aU civilized and pro- gi'essive nations. Ten years after Su- Htt^mpitrey had published his Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry, Count Chap- TAL, a peer of France, a member of the Institute, and a large land-holder, published his Agricultriral Chemistry, in which the analysis of soils forms a pronunent feature. Eminent alUve in science, for- tune, political and social position, he had no possible inducement to speak more favorably of the value of soil-analyses than justice and truth demanded. He gives full and carefully-prepared directions for the analysis of soils by farmers; and his first sen- tence on the subject is m these words: "Though experience and long observation may enable an THE GENESEE FARMER. 45 agriculturist to become acquainted witli the nature and degree of fertility of each part of his land, it will in most cases be convenient for hhn to acquire this knowledge by shorter and more direct meth- 3ds." He adds : " I shall not point out the process of an analysis with the most minute exactness ; this would place it beyond the skill of the greater part 3f agriculturists to perform; and the precision of the resiUts would be useless for the purpose which I Have in view. I shall lunit mysehf to describing the steps which ought to be t;xken for ascertaining the nature of the principal substances, Avhether earthy, saline, metallic, vegetable, or animal, which enter into the composition of a soU ; while it is necessary to insist only upon those which concur most power- fully in rendering it fertile." He quotes as authorities, Davy, Beezelitts, Bkandt, Eoukcroy and Vauquelix, Bergmann, and others well known to the scientific world. In the article on "The Composition of Arable Lands," page 24, he says: "In order to know the earthy composition of those soils which have been consid- ered the most fertile in various chmates, I shall have reconrse to the analyses of them by men worthy of the utmost confidence." Bekgmaxx found that one of the most fertile soDs in Sweden contained : Coarse silex 80 parts Silica 26 " Alumina " 14 " Carbonate of Ume 30 " 100 GiOBERT analyzed a portion of fertile soU from the neighborhood of Turin, in which the principal earths Avere in the following proportions : Silica from 77 to 79 Alumina " g " 14 Carbonate of lime " 5 " 12 An excellent soU for wheat (see Davy^s Agricul- tural Chemistry, page 162) gave: — • Carbonate of lime 28 Silica 32 Alumina 29 Animal and Vegetable matter and moisture 11 100 I could easily fill a small volume with soil-analyses made in tlie first quarter of the present century by no mere pretenders, but by the illustrious fothers of the science of Analytical Chemistry, which have proved to be of incalculable value to agi-iculture. It is true, they were quite limited in extent as com- pared with the most critical and minute researches of the best analysts of the present time. They demonstrated, however, this pregnant fact : that all soils, in all climates and countries, distinguished for theii- enduring fruitfulness, abound in lime, as well as clay and sand (c). This fact being fully established, I early felt a deep interest to ascertam, if possible, what is tlie least quantity of the calcareous element in common soUs wMch will suffice for all useful pur- poses in tillage and husbandi-y. In what way can this question be settled better than by first analyzing one's arable fields to learn the exact amount of available lime in the soU ; and then experunent in the application of lune, from time to tune, and on many fields in many places, to estiiblish a mass of facts bearing on the gi-and smgle problem to be solved? For the last tJiirty years, I have never long ceased from urging upon pubUc attention the vast unportance of having experimental farms to develope new and valuable trutlis in comiection with apphed chemistry. In this matter I am liappy to know that the Editor of the Oenesee Farmer and the writer are entii-ely agreed ; and there is equal agreement in reference to the propriety of analvzing soils with a view to advance tlie science of agi-icul- ture ; but you condemn m toto researches of this kind made for the special benefit of the owner of the soil analyzed. Now, if the latter has confidence m the man whom he employs to make one or more analyses, and is satisfied with the performance and its practical results, why should any other man offi- ciously interfere in the matter ? Why not leave the parties to manage a purely personal business trans- action to suit themselves ? {d) My course has been not to advise farmers either to have their soils anal- yzed, nor to abstain therefrom. In 1846, I had a class of students, some of whom wished to learn tlie artof analyzing soils as practiced in the best labora- tories ; and for the benefit of such, I was willing to be responsible for the general accuracy of their state- ments and labors under my instruction for a com- pensation that Avould cover the cost of pure chemi- cals consumed, and the probable breakage of dehcate aparatus ; and at the same time, I believed tlie in- formation given would be worth to the recipients all they paid for it, if not much more. Experience, however, soon taught me that I could acquire more useful knowledge in reference to the food of agricul- tural plants — its scarcity or abundance in the soil — by operating on a larger quantity of earth than by following my text books in that particular. You say:_ "Dr. Lee has never informed the agricultural public that there has been any change in his views on this subject since the above article was written." This is a mistake. The article referred to was writ- ten in the early part of the year 1846; and in the January number of the Farmer for 1847, in a Jc^id- ing editorial, I "informed the agi-icultural public" tliat I "claimed to have made great imprmenunts on the ordinary process of conducting these chemi- cal manipulations, by which farmers' sons only 1 G years old, at their first trial, extracted and correctly weighed a mineral equal to the 15,000th part of a soil." At that time I had an extremely delicate balance — the largest weight used upon it was 1000 grains, and the smallest the 100th part of a grain. Between these, there are 100,000 parts which may be indicated by the balance. In illustrating my improvement, I said: "As we work for the public good, and pay out five dollars for chemicals where we get one back, we will state a single process : "In analyzing the soils in the southern tier of counties in this State in the ordinary way, by taking only 100 gi-ains, we find scarcely a trace of lime; and yet all plants that gi-ow there contain notable portions of this mineral m their ashes. As all prac- tical farmers, as well as men of science, concede tlie gi-eat vahie of lime in all soils, and especially for growing wheat and other cereal plants, we have regarded it as worth some trouble and expense to find out a way to determine the quantity of lime in a soil, though it shall make only one part in one hundred thousand. This is our process : Burn oif the organic matter in ten pounds of the earth, by repeated doses, in a large crucible or a clean iron basin. Two pounds of this may be treated at a tune m a large glass basin so thm that it will st^nd tho 46 THE GENESEE FARMER. heat of a spirit lamp without breaking ; or it may be placed in a sand-bath, and the soil boiled in diluted muriatic acid. As we do not care to get out all or any of the alluniina and iron, it is not necessary to have more than an ounce of acid to two pounds of soil, and distiDed water enough to cover the mass one or two inches deep." Without copying the process in detail as there given, it is easy to see" that as 10 lbs. of soil weigh over 70,000 grains, if one of lime is found and iw morc^ there ex- ists one part in 70,000 ; if only the tenth of a grain is obtained, then the proportion is as one to 700,000 ; and if the smallest weight is just balanced, the ratio of lime is to the soil as one part to seven million. The next paragraph begins with these remarks : " There is nothing to prevent our leaching one or two hundred pounds of any soil, either with cold or hot water, or diluted vinegar, sulphuric, nitric, muriatic, or other acid, to dissolve out the phosphate of lime., or any other valuable constituent of our crops. Have not practical men long leached the earth of plants (their ashes), and evaporated the solution to obtain their potash and soda? And who wih say that we may not perform a similar operation to show how much" of potash and soda there is in the soil that yields the ashes of forest trees? The science of Chemical Analysis is now in its infancy ; and for one, we protest against the injustice of popu- lar Avriters, like IIexry Colman and others, who are most liberally paid for their compositions, in seek- ing every possible opportunity to disparage the value of this science?" * * =i= ^' The great volume of Nature is alike open to all ; and why should not all read, and understand the original text? We are confident that we shaU be able to determine how much of the substance of the soil is ordiiuirily con- sumed in forming 100 pounds of Avheat, corn, oats, clover, turnips, and potatoes. In true inductive science, there is no guess work." (e) Some thne when you are in want of a subject for editorial comment, by copying the whole of the article of which the above are extracts, you will perhaps have a theme not unworthy of your logical acumen, and professional attainments. In the first number of the Jouriml of the United Stutcs Agri- cultural Society, prepared by me as Secretary of the same, I copied from the American Journal of Science and Arts a carefully -prepared paper entitled "Notes and Observations on the Analyses and Character of the Soil of the Scioto Valley, Ohio, with some general considerations respecting the subject of Soil- Analyses ; by David A. AVells, Cambridge, Jilass." While I would speak of this paper as worthy a place in the Genesee Farmer, for the instruction of that large class of its readers who are stitdents in the science of their calHng, I will content myself with copying a single paragraph : " There is one other suliject connected with those analyses, which I consider of the highest importance, and to which I would direct special attention. Dr. Daxa, of Lowell, in tbe course of many years' expe- rience, has coUected and preserved the results of more than four hundred analyses of soils, from tlie northern portion of this country. Tlie analyses of the soils I have made from Ohio, and the analyses of all the soils resulting from the drift agency, do not differ materially so far as regard their inorganic constituents. That is to say, the soUs of Ohio, yielding, with little or no culture, from seventy to eighty bushels of corn to the acre, are no letter, so far as their mineral composition is concerned, than many of the ^lassachusetts soils whicli liave a repu>i tation for sterility." According to Mr. Wells, the greater "fineness of the elementary particles" of the Scioto soils, and " the amount and condition of their organic matter, impart to them their superior productiveness." I commented at some length on the labors and views of Mr. W., mainly to promote the more critical and refined investigation of the true sources of fertility, and of the real cause of infertility, in aral)]e lands. As I still have the same object in view, permit me to copy a few remarks which I then made. "In tlKJ analyses we are told how muchAvater, "hygrometrio and combined," the soils (sontain, and the amount of "waxy and resinous matters extracted by alcohol and ether;" but Ave learn nothing of the quantity of nitrogenoui elements that may be present in any form. This omission is a serious defect, for ammo- nia, Avhether absorbed from rains, dews, and the atmosphere, or supplied by decaying vegetation and the bodies of animals, is too valuable an element to be passed by as a thing of no account. While Avaxy and fatty matters m soils require alcohol and ether to dissolve them, Avhich no farmer can ap[)ly to his land, ammonia is not only soluble in Avater, but it uicreases the solubility of both the organic and in- organic food of plants. The unscientific reader Avill appreciate the value of ammonia in the production of crops, Avhen Ave inform him that it sells at six- pence a pound (eleven cents) in England, as it exists in guano, and other commercial manures." I suggested that chemists ought to devote atten- tion to these points: "Do the plants that natui-ally grow on the Scioto, or otlier rich bottoms, contain, as a Avhole, more organized nitrogen than plants that groAV on comparatively poor upland, fr(jm which,, perchance, the finer particles of sand, clay, and mold, have been Avashed and deposited as sediment along the banks of streams below ? And if the vege- tation of river flats and fertile intervals is richer in nitrogenous compounds, to Avhat agencies is this hicrease of organized nitrogen to be ascribed ?" The above was written six years ago, and I have smcc endeavored to answer my OAvn questions by appropriate researches, and embody an exposition of the facts and principles involved, in a Avork, still in progress, on "The Philosophy of Agriculture." In drawing up the Constitution of the United States Agricultural Society, I took good care to insert a section providing for the organization of a National Board of Agriculture, to carry into effect the plan of the great and good WAsniNGTo:N\ Men of snuill minds and selfish purposes have rejected it for half a century ; but their triumph can not last alwJiys, and Tillage and Husbandry are certain to rise, "in this nation of republican farmers, to the dignity of a learned, a truly scientific, and an hon- orable profession. To place soil-analyses in their proper sphere of usefuhiess, the country greatly needs a national institution which has at its head, men of patriotic motives, of cultivated common sense, Avho know how to use and successfully apply science to the advancement of American agricul- ture. Does the United States Agricultural Society come up to this requirement? Not to cultivate the science, nor the literature of agriculture, and be content with the rather overdone annual display of THE GENESEE FAPwMER 47 mere cattle shows, horse shows and racing, and the idle, it not vain, exhibition of men as well as beasts, is to excite the i-egret, and call forth the reluctant censure of thousands of the best friends of agricul- tund progress and improvement. Analytical chem- istry, in its application to soils and their products, needs the fostering care of minds at once elevated by proper culture, free from that love of " empty shoAv" which "splits the ears of groundlings," and willing to labor for the equal elevation of all who are less informed than themselves. If a depraved popular taste delights in bull-fights, as in Spain, or in any thing akin thereto, it needs not the stimulus of the United States Agricultural Society, in addi- tion to all other stimuli^ to keep it alive in this country. It is that quiet, humble, close study, which begets learning, science, virtue, and happi- ness, that demands the support of public opinion and of our free institutions. The study of soils can not be carried to any considerable extent and accu- racy, without the assistance of analytical chemistry; and instead of rejecting soil-analyses as useless and worthless, they should become more diversified — more comprehensive in their investigations — more in harmony with the broad and varied agriculture of this extended republic. d. lee. Remarks. — The above able sketch of the history oi Analytical Chemistry, as applied to the composi- tion of soils, is quite interesting; and our readers will unite with us in thanking Dr. Lee for the clear, concise, and enthusiastic style, in which he handles the subject. We can not conceive, however, that Dr. Lee intends it a.s a reply to our remarks on the practical inutility of soil-analyses, in the September and Iv'ovember numbers of the Genesee Farrm-f of last year. We there showed that a chemist is utterly incapable of pointing out any ditFerence in chemical composition between two soils, one of which produced a large crop of turnips, and the other a crop that was not worth gathering ; or the difference between two soils, one of which pro- duced only fifteen bushels of wheat per acre, and the other thirty-five bushels per acre. He can, by analysis, determine whether a soil is destitute of any , element of plant-food ; but this, we showed, is of no I practical use, from the fact that if any plant grows ■ on the soil, we have positive proof that the soil con- j tains all the elements necessary for the growth of ] plants. If it did not, no plant would grow upon it. 1' [n analyzing a soil, therefore, the object is not to as- j| jertaia whether it contains all the elements necessa- (■ 7 for the growth of plants, but whether it contams tt Dhem in sufficient quantity for the production of '■ profitable crops. We brought forward several facts J' tvhich we thought clearly showed that the chemist ,| X)uld -not at present determine this point. Put a « lundred tons of manure on one acre of soO, and '' eave an adjoining acre without anything, and send J, i sample of each to the chemist, and we contend .J ;hat the most searching analysis he can make will not enable him to tell w^hich soil has been manured and which has not ; and yet one may produce good crops, and the other, crops too poor to harveet. On these and similar tacts, we based our objec- tions to the practical utility of soil-analyses. These objections Dr. Lee has not attempted to answer, and it seems hardly worth while to discuss other and less important branches of the subject. We will, however, briefly allude to one or two points in the above article, which seem to have a slight bearing on the matter in question. {a) We can easily show, if necessary, that at the present time many of the ablest chemists in Europe entertain doubts of the practical value of sod-analyses. We have no hesitation in saying that no European chemist who has had any experience in soil-analyses, attaches half as much importance to them as he did a few years ago. (b) Any one who has examined the old "marl- pits" of England, will come to the conclusion that "enterprising farmers" had mixed clay with sand (if not sand with clay) long before Sir Humphkey Davy recommended the practice, and that it " re- sulted in an increase of fertility." That English farmers have ever been in the habit of havuig their soils analyzed before concluding to put clay, or sand, or lime, on any particular field, may well be questioned. Here and there a land-holder or an amateur farmer procures an analysis of his soil ; but we never happened to meet with any one -wlio found any particular benefit from it, and the pi-ac- tice is now nearly abandoned. To analyze a soil in order to ascertain whether it required lime, was a pet theory of many chemico- agi-icultural writers some years ago. An incident in the experience of John Hilditch, Esq., of Stan- ton, England, which he related a few years ago, when we had the pleasure of visiting his beautiful farm, will throw fight on this subject. Sir HuMpn- EEY Davy had recently published a "simple test for lune," and stated, truly, that if a soil was destitute of lime, it would not produce wheat. The test was easily applied. It was simply to pour a little muriatic acid on the soil, and, if it effervesced, the soil contained carbonate of Hme, and would pro- duce wheat ; but if it did not effervesce, it did not contain lime, and must be limed before it could grow Avheat. Mr. IL, Avho is a gentleman of great intelligeuce, as weU as a most excellent farmer, and one ever ready to carry out the suggestions of science, had three large fields prepared for wheat when he read Sir Htjmphbey's book. He immedi- ately took samples of soil from the three fields, and applied the acid. Two efliervesced, but the other did not. "Kow," said he, "according to Sir 48 THE GENESEE FARMER. HrMPHEET, this soil contains no lime ; but it is too kte to lime it. What shall I do?" He repeated the t«st, but obt.iined the some result. He had gi-eat confidence in Sir Humphrey, but did not know what to do. He at length concluded to risk the seed, and if the wheat did not grow, to sow the field to turnips the next spring. The three fields were sown. The wheat came up weU on all three, grew, and continued to grow, lime or no ]ime. To the surprise of Mr. H., and in spite of Sir HuMPiLREY, the field which would not eflfer- vesce produced the lest cro'p of wTieat of the three, averaging upwards of fifty lushels per acre ! (c) The analyses proved that aU fertile soils con- tain lime ; and the fact that any plant will grow on these soUs, proves the same thing : so that, in this particular, the analyses were unnecessary. Have they proved how much lime a soU should contain to enable it to produce maximum crops? We assert, without fear of contradiction, that they have not. The fertile soil in Sweden analyzed by Berg- MANN, as quoted above, contained 30 per cent, of lune. The soil of some of the best farms in the Genesee VaUey does not contain two per cent, of hme. The soil in the Ree-Ree Bottom in the Scioto Valley, Ohio, and which is so astonishingly fertile that it has yielded annually great crops of corn for fifty-one years, contains, according to Prof. Wells, less than half of one per cent. (0.4) of lime. Now, here are three soils all remarkable for their fcrtUity; and yet the Swedish soil contains over fifteen times as much lime as that of the Genesee, and more than seventy times as much as that of the Scioto Valley. We think these analyses "demonstrate this pregnant fact," that ordinary soil-analyses can not enable us to decide whether or not a soil requires liming to prodtice maximum crops. The analyses of several soils in Massachusetts, in no way remarkable for their fertility, show that these soils contain five times as much lime as the rich soil in the Ree-Ree Bottom. If "the illustrious fathers of Analytical ■Chemistry" could tell farmers which soils required lime and whic% did not, they could do what can not bC' done at pi;esent. (d) We do not so understand the duties of an agricultural jovivnalist His readers expect "from him reliable informatioa on all matters of public interest to the farming community. He ha.s no right to "ofliciously interfere" with private busi- ness arrangements, but he has a right to express his opinion on all pullic reeommendations. If the ^jublisher of an agricultural paper endeavors to get hold. of 'the fanners' hard-earned dollars by urging tSaem 'to purchase "improved" and "nitrogenous" superphosphate of lime, "Chilian guano," and other comparatively wortMess fertilizers, all agricultural journalists have an undoubted right to guard their readers against the imposition. So, too, if a chemist publicly oflrers to analyze the fanner's soil for from $5 to $50, and promises for $25 to fui-nish hira with "a letter of advice" which will enable him to produce great crops at a small outlay — and if the public journalist has good reasons to 'kno^l} that it is utterly impossible, from the nature of the case, for the chemist to furnish such information — he Las a right to inform his readers of the fact. If the chemist asks for the reasons on which the public journalist bases his opinions, and these reasons are freely stated, the chemist, when he finds himself unable to set aside the facts, or to show any inaccu- racy in the logic, can not with a good grace turn round and say, " Well, it is none of your business." The advocates of soil-analyses have had the free use of the agricultural press in urging their claims upon public attention ; they have not been slow to avail themselves of the opportunity ; and they have been secolided by nearly all agricultural lectui-ers and writers during the last twenty -five years. — Fanners have been urged over and over again tcf have their soU analyzed. Tlie advocates of soil- analyses, in most cases, evidently do not under- stand the question; and it is high time they should cease their recommendations, or give some good reasons for their advice. Tliey have mmiy able writers among them, and tlie agricultural press is at their service. They have therefore no cause to complain when their claims are candidly and cour- teously criticised. (e) The fact that Dr. Lee thought one pound of soU enough for an analysis in 1846; and afterwards, in 1847, thought from "one to two hundred pounds" desirable; and now, in 1857, recommends from 800 to 1800 pounds; indicates that he has little faith in ordinary soil-analyses, where only a few oimces of soil at most are used. We believe, furthermore, that all who have had much experience in analyz- ing soils, will agree with us that it .is better to operate on a small quantity of soil than on a larger quantity. Half an ounce will afford more accurate., results than half a pound. With the fine balances to which Dr. IxEE refers, it is impossible to operate on large quantities. We shall be convinced of the; advantages of analyzing hah" a ton of soil when the thing has been done, and afforded satisfactory results. This, however, is not the question we are discussing. It is not whether, at some future period, chemists will be able to analyze soils with, sufficient accuracy for practical purposes; but' whether they have hitlierto been able to do so^, or whether they are now aile. When any chemist, THE GENESEE FARMER. 49 by analysis, can tell the difference between a soil which has been dressed with 500 pounds of guano j>er acre, and one which has had nothing on it, — when, in other words, he can tell by analysis the difference between a soil which will produce a good Crop of wheat and one which wiU not, — we will cheerfully take back all we have said against the utility of soil-analyses. TEHEE- HOBSE WHIFFLE -TEEES. It has been shown by the experiments of Puset and others, that velocity has no influence upon draught in plowing ; in other words, that the rate at which the horses walk, exerts no influence on the Fig. 1. draught of the plow. And this result is in accord- ance with the results of experiments upon friction, which indicate the entire independence of friction on velocity. It is true, the dynamometer indicated great irregularity in the draught of the plow con- sequent on an increase of velocity ; — a stone in the soil, on .which the point of the plow-share should impinge with double the ordinary velocity, would obviously cause a momentary strain on the dyna- mometer of double the ordinary intensity ; but the average draught is the same, or very nearly so. This fact indicates the importance of employing draught animals which naturally walk at a rapid pace ; — it is a fact which should not be overlooked in considering the relative advantages of employ- ing horses or oxen in plowing. "We have sometimes thought that the gen- erality of American horses were somewhat too light for farm work ; but whether this be so or not, there can be no doubt that light, active, muscular horses, that naturally walk (not trot) at a smart pace, are more economical plow-horses than heavy, slow ones. Other things being equal, the quantity of food required by a horse is in propor- tion to his weight ; and, so far as plowing is con- cerned, there is imdoubtedly greater advantage in keeping a team of three light, active horses, than a span of heavy, sluggish ones. Light horses, however, work to great disadvant- age in plowing when they are taxed so heavDy that they can not walk at their natural rate. On the other hand, there is a loss of power when they are not taxed enough, masmuch as the power required to carry their own weight is the same in either case. On this point judgment is required. It is an un- necessary expenditure of power to employ a heavy team to do that which a light one would accom- plish; and, on the other hand, to attach a light team to a plow which they can not take through the soil at their natural pace, involves an equal loss of power. Better u?e three horses abreast, and let them walk at a good smart pace. "Whiflfle-trees for three horses abreast are usually constructed as shown in the annexed engraving (fig. 1). The two horses are at- tached to the short end of the first draught-bar, and one at the longer end, which should be twice the length of the other, so that the labor will be equally divided among the three. Fig. 2 shows a more complicated set, but one in which the horses are more uniformly arranged. Here the resistance is divided, by the first draught- bar, into two equal portions of one and a half horse- power each, and by means of the second pair of bars these are again distributed so that three horses may be attached, the middle horse, it will be seen, taking the long end of the second pair of bars ; and as a c is twice the length of a b, the force attached at 5 being thus balanced by half the amount of c, one horse in the middle is able to balance the force of the two at its sides. Any one can make these whiflfle-trees. No farmer Fig. 2. should be without a set. Now is the time to attend to this matter, while you have leisure, instead of putting it off till they are wanted. They s>ould be as light as possible consistent with the requisite degree of strength. 50 . TUE GENESEE FARMER. THE FERRET— DESTROYING RATS. B5^ We are unable fiilly \ ^ to answer the inquiries _ .sv*s^,w«n^5*^***M^**>V*~^ of a correspondent, in 'i-^,;^^^^^^- regard to the feasibUi- THE FEKUET. tj aud advantagcs of keeping ferrets in this country, for the purpose of destro}-ing rats; and we should be glad to hear from any of our readers who have kept them. The feiTet is a native of Africa, and is very sus- ceptible of cold. In Great Britain, ferrets are very common, and sell for about one dollar each. They procreate twice a year, are gra^^d six weeks, and bring from six to eight young. They smell fetid, especially when irritated. The young are very liable to disease, and are reared with difficulty. They are fed on milk or fresh meat. Salt meat is fatal to them. Tliey should be kept in a warm box, and be provided with a little wool, or other warm substance, for a bed. They must be kept very clean, or they are liable to attacks of foot-rot and other diseases. The natural food of ferrets is the blood of animals; and they destroy rabbits, rats, and poultry, by sucking their blood from the back of the neck. They seldom eat any of the flesh when they can obtain a fidl supply of fresh blood. In England, where rabbits are abundant, "ferret- ing" is a very popular sport. The rabbits make extensive bun-ows in the groimd, like the wood- chucks of this country, Nets are laid over the holes, and the ferrets, after having their mouths seiced up, ai-e turned into the burrow. There is very soon a great commotion, and 2>resto ! a rabbit is in the net. Owing to their moist clkuate, the farmers of England stack nearly all their grain, and thresh it diiring the winter or following summer. The stacks, when not built on capped frames, are much infeeains are taken to make the crop now than formerly. Per contra, in Ohio and Northern Indi- ana, the yield was never larger, although they are somewhat troubled with the rot where stable ma- nure is applied as a fertilizer. Joseph Mosher, of Mt. Gilead, Morrow Co., Ohio, writes to the Ohio Cultivator that his neighbor planted two Mexican potatoes last spring, which yielded a bushel. ' That same variety of potatoes here, on the best soils, does not yield fifty bushels to the acre. Waterloo, N. Y., JarCy 8, 185S. Variety of Farm Products. — A celebrated French agriculturist, Gasparin, speaking of the advantages of cultivating a variety of farm pro- ducts, eloquently says : " We will write upon our flag. Variety ! That 's my device. That rapid locomotion which explores the world, which inter- rogates all climates — that spirit of investigation which is the characteristic of onr age — all will concur in c(mcentrating upon our old soil the young productions snatched from rich countries, and which we shall find means to naturalize. The most hum- ble table shall be covered Avith new gifts : like that of the rich, it shall enjoy a diversity of food, which is the pledge of health, strength, and contentment. Uniformity, whatever may be the scale that we assign to it, is the worst of conditions : it is the spleen of the North ; it is the misery of Ireland ; it is the rule and the chastisement of convents, the homesickness of the barracks." Cure for Cholio in Horses. — Take one pint of pure fish brine, and drench the horse with it, and in a short time he wUl be better. J. 0. Cukry. — Wells County^ Ind. * SHEEP Ain) SHEEP-TICKS. Editors Genesee Farmer: — Whenever I read articles telling how to destroy ticks on sheep, (see Genesee Farmer for January, 1858, p. 13,) ''it kinder raises my dander," as Sam Slick would say. For some thirty years, I have been using a preventive worth a thousand cures, because neither sheep nor anything else of animal kind can be kept profitably without the use of my pi-eventive for ticks, which is simply to feed sheep and all other animals so as to keep them improving and growing all the year round; and if a farmer is paid for keeping stock in any other manner, it is only by chance. If farmers will feed from eight to twelve ounces of grain a day, to each sheep, through the winter and spring, with, good straw for fodder until about the 1st of March, and then give them hay until there is grass enough for them, and give them shelter in the yard during winter, I will guarantee that they will be fi'ee fi'om ticks in the spring, or nearly so, unless there are some so very old that they can not be kept in con- dition, or some diseased ones. But sheep with lung or liver diseases seldom or I think never propagate ticks ; it is healthy sheep, suddenly reduced in flesh by poor feed or other privations — such as exposure to great cold, or wet, dirty yards, where they be- come exhausted by standing and leaning against the fence, for neither sheep nor cattle will lie down in wet dirt so long as they are able to stand up — that are infested with ticks. I know there are farmers who say that feeding such lots of corn and oU-cake as I do may pay me, but would not pay them. But their reasoning is absurd; and they would be convinced if they couJd only be persuaded to try, if it were only ten or twenty good sheep, or even lambs in good condi- tion. As soon as pasture fails, commence giving them a little grain — oats are best to learn them to eat — and gradually increase their feed until you. give them each eight to sixteen ounces of grain or oil-cake meal per day (I prefer the latter) ; and I wiU warrant that they will pay amply for their feed ; and the longer they are kept, the better they will pay. They will almost if not quite pay in excess of wool; they will again almost pay in excess of mutton ; and if they are ewes with lamb, they will nearly pay in excess of lambs raised ; and if the lambs are for the butcher, their exti-a quality will again pay for the mother's grain or oil-meal during the preceding winter and spring; and if they are young sheep for feeding another winter, with fair pasture they will be very fat in the fall, and a half-bushel of grain will do more in putting on fat than a bushel would the first winter. No man knows what advantage it is to feed both cattle and sheep even a little grain or oil-cake but he who has tried it. The winter before they are intended for the butcher, they fat a half better than the first winter. For instance : I bought a lot of lean lambs and yearlings in the last of November, 18.56 — the lambs averaging 55 lbs., the yearlings 76 lbs. They were all thin in flesh, but of a pretty large breed. I commenced feeding them oil-meal at once, with good oat and barley straw, and in- creased their oU-meal to 12 ounces each per day, at which rate I continued until grass carae. I fed no hay. (Lambs do not require so much as old sheep; I usually feed a pound each with straw to older sheep, or half a pound with good hay.) They were THE GENESEE FARMER. 53 iTien turned to grass; and in two weeks after, I began retailing the best of the two-year-olds to the bntchers in the neighboring villages, at from $7.25 to $S each; and in that way I sold all the two- jear-olds but four, which, with the yearlings, I have still. I weighed them some three months ago, after shutting them up fourteen hours without food or water, and they averaged -over 132^ lbs. I have no doubt but they now average over 140 lbs. I am feeding nearly half a pound of oil-cake meal and nearly half a pound of oats each per day. Now, aoy man of common capacity can see at ■once that the better they are fed the better they pay. I paid only $2 each for them, and thought them a hard bargain at that, as there were one- third more lambs than yearlings. They sheared nearly five pounds -of wool each ; and had they been in good condition in the fall, I have no doubt they would have shorn one to two pouads more each. I offered to pay the shearers by the number of ticks they might lind— that is, to give six cents for each tick, as compensation for shearing; but there were no ticks found. Now, Messrs. Editors, if farmers will keep sheep to propagate ticks, I am not to blame, for, several times I have given just such advice through the agricultural papers. In conclusion, I would add, that high feeding, high manuring, and reasonably deep tillage, are the only means of improving the wretchedly-abused soil of Western New York ; and sooner or later it must be done, or tlie result will be disastrous ; and it must begin with high feeding. I have all my farm drained, of course. I had nearly lost sight of that very important part, which, if not already begun, should commence at the same time as high feeding. I can not believe that any farmer can oegin either and look back until he has done all he can do. I write what I know I have fully proved, and I know it is the only true course for the farm- er's own good, as well as that of his country. Near Geneva, Jan'^, 1858. JOHN JOHNSTON. "NOTIONS" ON FODDEEINa STOCK. Mt part of the "chores," this winter, is to do the "out-door foddering" — to attend to the wants of the sheep and cows kept in the barn-yard. I have forty sheep and thirty lambs, five cows and two yearling heifers, to care for, and, I tell you, it takes some "calculation" as well as attention to keep them all contented. I say contented, for I hold content- ment to be the "mQlenial state" of all domestic animals. Contented they will be, if they have food when hungry, drink when dry, quiet when dis- posed to be meditative, a warm shed and good bed to retire to at pleasure. I don't say I always suc- ceed in attaining this "acme of comfort," but it is what I "aim at." The sheep have a shed and yard by themselves ; the lambs ditto. The cows also have sheds, and the remainder of the yard. I think it would be a good plan to give the yearlings — "Cherry" and "Beulali 2d" — a yard and shed by themselves, so that tkey need never stand in awe of their maternal parents, who punish all impertinence severely. My watering place is a pond about five rods outside the yard, and is kept open through the day. Now-a-dajs, I am feeding corn-stalks, oat straw and chaff, and bean straw. After daylight, I give my cattle a feeding of corn-stalks, and sometimes let out the sheep to partake of the same. I give the lambs a feeding of bean straw at this time. I say, "sometimes let out the sheep." Not unless the yard is frozen dry, do I do this ; and on tlie state of the yard, also, depends the amount of stalks given out at once. If wet, I only give half as much, and feed again the midtUe of the forenoon. About this time, I give the sheep a quantity of oat chaff in their feeding boxes, and shut them into their yard. I now let out the lambs, to allow them to get water, and feed from the straw stacks, through the middle of the day. At noon, I feed "all around," with oat straw. The middle of the afternoon, slop the milch cows, shut the lambs into their yard, and open that of the sheep, giving, if previous foddering is eaten up pretty clean, a promise of early foddering before sundown. Then the lambs have oat chaff', the sheep bean straw, and the cows corn-stalks once more. If the weather is wet, and the stock seem to have poor appetites, I give at night a foddering of good hay ; or, if more convenieut, do so at noon. — Now let me tell my troubles ; perliaps some of your correspondents can give me a remedy. — There will come snowing and thawing days, when everything is wet, and barn-yards and sheds gen- erally muddy, however well they may be littered. I never had a rack or feeding-box which would keep corn-stalks from getting under the feet of cows in such weather. I never had stock that would eat their fodder as clean on such days as in clear cold weather ; so I then give them a little of my best hay, once a day, a few corn-stalks, and let them fill up at the straw stacks, if more is wanted. My sheep have racks under sheds ; so I get along rather better with them. J. n. b. AGRICULTTTRE IN THE WEST. Editors Genesee Farmer : — The system of form- ing here in the West has hitlierto been an exhausting one, as though the fertility of the soil would last for ever. It is high time this was changed, and a judi- cious course of cropping practiced, with renovating ones for the land. No doubt your eastern farmers are alive to this, and have probably ere now re- ceived instructions and advice through your excel- lent publication. I may hint to you that a good thing can not often be spoken of too much, and that farmers, like boys, need repetition upon repetition. An article now and then, upon the improvement and renovation of soUs, wiU be interesting and beneficial. In Europe, the effects of bare fallows on clay soils are well known. Here, on sandy and black mold, it seems inapplicable, and that a crop of green manure plowed under is perhaps better adapted. I would like to see this subject treated on by some of your able correspondents. edw. billixgslet. Zaive»ciUe, Montgoraery Co., 111. Fattening Cattle in Winter. — I have fattened a number of cattle by giving them three pecks of potatoes per day, with hay and no Avater. Thia will make good juicy beef. When potatoes art plenty, this is a cheap way to fatten cattle. FeeO small' potatoes whole. Silas Busu. — Skaneateles Onondwja Co., N. Y. 54 THE GENESEE FARMER. STALLS FOR COWS. Editoks Genesee. Faemek: — In the January number of your journal is an article on "Keeping Dairy Cows tlirough tlie AViutor," contributed by A. J. Tatlor, of Java, iSr..y.,, containing a descrip- tion of cow-stalls, which are so near the best that I hare seen that I am tempted to describe a kind which I think a trifle better. I hope that Mr. Tay- lor will alter Ids stalls, and give his opinion, wliich, I have no doubt, will be as warm in favor of the "Ayrshire stall" as the inventor could wish. I was induced to build some by an article I saw in the New England Farmer at the time I was alter- ing my barn. The kibstance of the article is as follows : Mr. Jos. ^L Diuvek relates that he was obliged to tie a cow in a horse-stall for a few days, while altering his barn, and in consequence of the hints she gave, he got up the "Ayrshire stall," which he considers nearly perfect ; and his neigh- bors coincide with him, after years of ti'iah The description will be more readily understood if you imagine a horse-stall before you. Now, then, as a cow has not the long and arching neck of a horse, the front plank of the manger must be very narrow, and rise only about two. inches above the bottom of the manger, said bottom being three feet or less above the floor. This height of two inches is sutB- cient to prevent ehoiiped roots from rolling out and falling to the floor.* The short neck and broad nose of a cow prevent her from conveniently using the horse's rack *,, therefore you will bring tlie lower ends of the rack bars toward the cow, and insert them into holes bored in the front etlge of the bot- tom plank of the manger. Thereby they become upright, not slanting: hence the back part of the rack should be sloping, in order to slide forward the hay as fast as eaten. Also, take out every alternate bar, as cows require from six to eight inches between the bars. Do not make the manger too broad; a 12-inch ])lank is full wide for it. — !^^ake the stalls about three feet wide, and shorten the partitions to three feet in length from the manger.. Of coiu'se, the partitions run likewise across the manger, so that the cows shall not see each other while feeding, nor each other's mess. Put a strap around your cow's neck, having a halter chain attaclied ; lead her to the well-filled rack ; put the chain through a hole you have bored in the center of the manger, near the front edge ; tie her rather short, so that her nose will nearly touch the manger when she stands ; and loth of you will be delighted ! The floor should be cut oflf close to her heels, so that her dung and water shall fall into the channel, or on the barn floor, three or more inches below the stall floor, and she will be as clean as a new penny all winter. The great advantage is this: When the cow stands, she is as far out of the stall as her chain allows ; but when she lies down, she must step forward and put her head under the manger: hence she can not lie down in lier dung. Tlie method of securing cows by upright stakes, or "stanchions," as we call them, is a cruelty which should be forbidden by law. Bedham, Mats., Jan''y, 1S58. M. B. I. * IVtixed feed composed in part of meal, I prefer to feed to the iM.w in a box thrust under tlie manjjer; not from anv defect in the ai-rr.ii2:ement of (he manger, but because boxes can be more easilv and thoroughly cleaned immediately after the cowa have eaten"; cuusequeally, rats and mice are scarce on aiy premises. WHO HAS THE OLDEST HOKSEI Eds. Genesee Farmer : — "Which is the oldest horse, and how long with suitable care and atten- tion can the horse be kept to be of service to man, are questions that Ave often hear; and while the writer of this may not be prepared to answer both questions, he lias, undertaken to write a little his- tory of a p^'etty old horse owned in the goodly town of Oxford, N. Y. Some tu'enty-five years since, a certaia Bapti.st Minister brouglit to this town from Canada a span of" black Indian ponies, as they were called, where they were taken wild a long time ago, by a man who has lately visited the neighborhood where one. of them is now owned. He is a gentleman of the- strictest v.eracity, and avers that as long as fovty- one years ago this truly long-lived horse was taken wild,, somewhere in Canada, when he was vi. full' grown horse, where, with his mate, taken at the same time, he was owned and subjected to hard labor all over the Canadas, up to the time when, they were brought to this country and tried a little in several of the States and Territories, ancT then traded oti' by the aforesaid Baptist Minister (for even Ministers traded horses in those days)- to a Baptist Deacon, a neighbor of mine, who kept them a few years,-^say ten or fifteen years — during which time they were allowed, tx)r pastime, to do most of the hard work in the neighborhood;' during the week, and then to draw all hands np to- meeting, four miles, on the Sabbath, and then agaiit were good for all of the evening meetings, siivging- schools, &c., at the same time ; when they wore again traded otf to a man back in the woods, who was just beginning a little clearing over thfre. full six or seven miles ti-om the village ot'Oxfoitl', np to. which place, besides heliping slick up the farm, they were driven — not only with big loads on the Sab- bath, but tilmost eveiy day ill the week, — forward' of an extra strong and heavy can-fage, that nsed to carry all hands safe and sound. Finally one of- these ju.stly celebrated horses "kinder gin out," over there, and while the writer is unable to give, the precise time when this event occurred, it is stilli known to have taken place some time during the- first half of the present century! At any iiite,, I well remember the time, for as soon as it did occur a pair of thills were fltted into the old carriage,, which was extra .strong and heavy, and the hero of" this short history was for a few years ailowcd a> little respite from work on the farm tmd jnst trotted up to town rather oftener than ever, though in truth- since the " going " has got to be uncommonly bad even for this country, and the old horse does begin to look a little oldish^ be has been allowed to " lay by " for a while in order to recruit up again. How long, with suitable care anti attention, wili the horse survive and be of service to ntan? The one whose life is written above is knowfi* to have been ttiken in a wild state more than forty years- ago, at the- time a full grown horse — at what age- it is not known, as no record of the years of his- colthood has ever been found; and tradition, alias! is silent upon the subject. e. a. b. Oifarcl, Gheiiawj& Co.,' N. Y., 1.S5S. "Was it ever known that a rural residence, taste- fully planned and' appropriately adorned, was not; the abode of refinement and intelligence. THE GENESEE FAKxMER. 55 MUCK APPLIED UNMIXED TO THE SOIL. Edixoks Genesee Faemek : — Among the subjects on \vliick you oJi'er preniiuius for short essays, you ■CiiJl for one "detailing experhuents in the use of muck apphed uauiixed to the soil" I have seen ■nothing as yet in reply, and have been deterred from ottering my own experience in the matter from •tlie tVtct that I used toe little pains to test the exact beuetit derived. But jou must judge v/hether the follo\viiig is worthy of print. In the spring of 1855, I eame Lato .possession of part of a farm — a lot of twenty-two acres — a nar- row strip some twenty-three rods wide — three acres •of loam on one end, then ten or twelve acres of anarsh, the remainder heavy chiy. The loam had been preUy hard run, and was partly plowed up in ihe fail before my purchase. Barn-yard manure was not ito be had, su 1 eoucluded to try muck upon tlie laaiK, m counection with leached ashes. The ■spring was late aiid very wet, but we dressed oue- lialf the lot with muck from the marsli, about thirty loads to tlie acre. On this was spread leached a^^hes at the rate of tifteeu bushels -per acre. The whole ^eld wa^; then plowed, and planted to corn. Tlie corn crop was of just about double value on tlie part .to which the inuci^ was applicid. That was in consideraWe degree due to the muck, I am well «atistied ; but I have often wished I had left some part without ashes, and taken pains to determine tlie exact dilierence. The next spring we dressed the renvauaing acre a^nd a half witli muck, about twenty loads .per acre, >L)eing iii a hurry to plow for barley. Over this we -spread twenty busliels of nnleached ashes — giving bushels where we gave loads before. The barley was sown too late to do well, from the fact that dry weather came on soon after it came up, with but very little rain until it ripened. The crop was much tbe same -over -the whole field; and it was ■observed in plowmg, that the soil wjls much mel- lower where the muck had been applied. The past year, having been seeded to clover, it -gave a fair croj,) of hay. I consider the muck to have been of considerable value, and have since Applied it in other cases where I have been inter- •e«ted, with equally favorable results. I hope tliose .of your readers wlio have made use of nuick as a manure, either composted or unmixcxl, M'ill give us tlte results of their experience, b. f. Ajitestan Weli.s. — Some of your western cor- Tospondents can no doubt fu-rnish the information det^ired by Mr. Gaensey, as Artesian wells are be- ■coming quite common in that section. The n-ame "is derived from Artois, a eity in France, where the system of boring for water was firet successfully adopted. Many of the salt sprmg« in this and other ■States hare been reached by Artesian wells ; and ftll deep wells which must penetrate rocky'strata, cnn be excavated most cheaplv by this method. J. n. B.—Iloyaltofi, K Y. PiECEirr FOR For>rDER rNr Horses. — Take Jib. ahMn, dissolve it in hot water, let it cool, then pour it down the horse. Don't be afraid; it will cure. If tiie horse is stitf, p-ut liis feet in hot water, one at a time. I have saved several horses in this way. A. B. C. — Crystal Lalce, McHenry Co,, IlL REFUSE LEATKER FOR MAITORE. "Tell us how to convert old leather into ma- nure," says "G. C. L.," of Lynn, Pa. "It is rich in ammonia; but how can that be made available?" Leather consists of oi-ganized fibrous gelatme, combined with tannm, and probably also some vegetable extract. Applied as manure, the gelatuie and coagulated albumen it contains, are converted, by gradual decomposition in moist earth, into am- monia, which, together with other ingredients, is of high nutritive value to vegetable growth. Browne, in his Field Booh of Manures, says "the most economical method of using old and refuse leather, is to chop it into small pieces, and scatter ■uniformly over the ground, at the rate of twenty to thirty bushels per acre, and plow it in. Kept constantly covered with moist eartli, this dressing continues to impart a fertilizing infiuence for six or seven years. If desirable to expend its virtue at once, the leather may be dissolved in strong solutions of potash or sulphuric acid, and adiiiinistered in the form of liquid manure ?" It is stated on competent authority, that old leather will readily decompose if placed first where it absorbs urine, as under the barn-sheds which shelter sheep or cows, or in a heap of fresh horse manure. After it becomes thwonglily saturated with urine, throw it into a compost heap to ferment, and its decompo- sition will soon take place. Ilair will soon decom- pose if treated in the same way. It has been our practice to throw the hair left after butchering hogs into the barn-yard, and we have always found it almost entirely decomposed by spring. Manures of this character are said, by Browne. to be "applicable to nearly every variety of soil, but appear to be best adapted to those that are sandy, gravelly, or light." Probably the difterence in etfect observed, is occasioned by defective drain- age, as it is well known that the best manures can not act with much force in a wet aad heavy soil. JoiivuAir-y, 1658. J. H. B. ^ I ^ ANALYSES OF SOILS. Eds. Genesee Farmer: — ISTot being a practical chemist, perhaps I should not speak upon this subject- But I understand the views of farmers upon it ; and though they may be in error, yet I must believe that soil-analyses, in discovering what maiuires are necessary upon certain soils, are of \ery little practical benefit. No farmer with his eyes open cultivates his farm for many years ♦vithout a more thorough and useful analysis of his soil by cropping it than he could make with the crucible. The fact is, none but alluvial soils are uniform enough to give even a guess at their value througliout a field by analysis. The crop grown by the farmer is his best and most reliable analysis of the soil. If the berry is heavy and abundant, he knows that the soil is filled with the proper con- stituent elements. If the straw is very large, tmd the grain light in weight and yield, he knows tliat the soil is better adapted to grass than grain, with- out a learned Professor to stand at his elbow and announce tlie tact for a given sura of money. The tanner also ho'ds to tlie opinion that costly manures frequently specified by analysts as wanting, can not be profitably added. Tlie farmer, as well as the chemist, works for pay. jgs'O. santield. Old West, December, 1S07. 56 THE GEJTESEE FARMER. CHINESE SUGAE CANE m IOWA. Ed8. Gexesee Faemer : — According to promise, I will give you some account of our Sorgho opera- tions, though so many have raised, experimented and written upon it that I fear I shall have nothing new to add. The 18th of May my husband planted two- thirds of an acre, but owing to tlie coldness of the season, many of the seeds failed to come up, so that when cut it was estimated at about one-third of an acre, which yielded 10,560 canes; only 500 of these were fully ripe, which were reserved to test the dif- ference between ripe and unripe cane for yield and quality of syrup. My husband being a mechanic as well as farmer, built himself a mill, somewhat after the fashion of a cider press, only with three upright rollers instead of two, going by horse power. He also made a sheet iron pan with wooden sides and a heater, with a brick arch to boil upon ; he boiled in the pans till it was about half reduced, ad- ding cream of lime, and white of eggs to clarify, when it was taken off and strained. It was then brought into the house for the women folks to fin- ish off in a large brass kettle, adding a little skim- med milk. We found the yield of unripe cane to be one gallon of syrup to ten of juice ; the 500 reserved canes were then pressed and yielded forty- five gallons, which, when boUed, made seven gallons of syrup, of a much finer quality than the first, showing conclusively that the canes must be ripe to make the most and best molasses. The 10,560 canes made eighty-six gallons of syrup, all of which was better than any common molasses, and the best as nice as Belchers syrup. Owing to the rollers being of wood instead of iron, we did not get the whole of the saccharine matter — probably not much more tlum two-thirds — as wooden rollers give so much more than iron, and the last of the juice is riclier than the first. I find the syrup, when half boiled to the consistency of molasses, to be an ex- cellent substitute for cider in making pumpkin and I apple butter ; but to make wild plum and tomato butter, or marmalade, (which articles are very pop- alar here at the west,) it requires the whole strength. Pumpkin butter is much improved by adding a little vinegar while cooking, which gives it a tart taste, much resembling apple. I think, after this, farmers may snap their lingers at hard times as far as sweet- ening is concerned, for they may be perfectly inde- pendent. VIOLA. Clay, WasMnqton Co., lotoa, liov. 24, 1S57. OxEX VS. HoESES. — Oxen cost far less and can l»e kejit cheaper than horses ; the wear and tear of the yoke and chain is less than that of a set of harness ; and if an accident, such as breaking a leg, should ha;)pen to one, he is not a dead loss — for, if kept as he should be, and as any farmer will find it to his intei-est to keep his cattle, he will make beef, while a horse in like circumstances would be a dead loss. Mtkon E. Takser. — Clarkstown, Roehland Co., N. Y. m I ■! Buckwheat foe a Sod Crop on the Peairie. — Hitherto it has been thought that only corn could be grown on prairie sod the same year it is broken up ; but, upon trial, buckwheat proves more certain nnd valuable. It keeps down the weeds which Tfivu^g up on land not thoroughly shaded, and proves In more remunerating crop. G. — Plain Fa/rm, III. SOW A VAKTEry OF GRASS SEEDS. Editors Ge^t:see Farmer: — I am satisfied that every farmer should cultivate some of the different kinds of grasses best adapted to his soil, not only as a reclaimer of worn out and exhausted lands, but because it is cheaper food than grain, for all kinds of stock except hogs. Some of our best farmers who have their farms well stocked with grass, have a supply for their stock eight or nine months in the year ; whereas, some of us who have less grass are under the necessity of feeding six or seven months in the year. Now tMs is quite a difference in favor of those who cultivate a greater proportion of gi-ass. In the first place, they are enabled to manage their lands with much less labor, and at the same time greatly improve their quality, which should be the great object of every one who is the owner of the soil he cultivates. I frequently talk with iiu'mers who admit that their land would be as profitable if well set in grass as when cultivated in grain crops, yet they do not adopt the practice. And why? Simply because it requires a little "ready money" paid out for grass seed, on whicli they can not im- mediately realize a profit. Every farmer should endeavor to raise his own grass seed, if possible ; or enough and to spare of some particular kind, to buy such as he does not make. I am in favor of sowing different kinds of grass seed on tlie same land, and at some future time may give you my method of seeding to grass. OWiam Co., Ky. W. B. iii» ■ «■ NOTES FROM MINNESOTA. Eds. Gexesee Fajimek : — We are upon the verge of winter, and I will tell you briefly of our harvest, our fall weather, kc Everything that wo cultivated was good, except* corn, whicli was lated and injured by the frost, which came earlier than usual this season. We had a slight frost on tlie niglit of Sept. 19. My Dutton corn was- in the shock a week befijre that. But little injury was done by it. Our first severe frost came oil the night of October 15th. It injured much of the Dent corn. We soon after had frosts which injured the undug potatoes. On the 8th November, snow fell about one foot in depth. Sleighing came unexpec- tedly, and found us unprepared for it, — our stables were not in readiness, our small grains were un- garnered and our corn unharvested. Since the- §th we have had severe cold weather and good sleigh- ing until within a day or so, and now the ground is nearly bare. The hard times are keenly felt here. Money is scarce. Produce brings but a small price, and al- most every one has debts to pay. We have plenty of wheat to supply the demand. Corn, oats, and hay will probably be scarce nest spring. Pork is scare* and dear ; beef plenty and cheap. Farmers looked some\s'hat discouraged at the early advent of cold weather, but they have since gathered their corn and made the necessaiy prepa- rations for a Minnesota winter. e. hodges. Jfarimi, Olnuted Co., M. T., jVo7, and others. The late I)e Witt Ooixtox remarks, in a letter to Dr. Feancis, tliat "in February, 1742, when the Hudson was frozen solid at New York, and the snow a foot deep, fiocks of these birds appeared in greater numbers than were ever known before." Large flocks were also observed about Albany, and in the northern parts of the State, during the Avinter of 1819. At the breeding season, the overwhelming mul- titudes of pigeons that settle on one spot almost exceed belief. Wilson, who was present at one of these breeding places, gives the following account: ''Not fi-r from Shelby ville, Kentucky, there was one ef these breeding places, which stretched through the woods in nearly a north and south direction, was several mil-es in breadth, and was said to be upward of forty miles An extent! In this tract almost every tree was furnished with nests, where- -over the branches could accommodate them. The pigeons made their first appearance there about the 10th of April, and left it altogether^ with their young, before the 25th of May, As s>xjn as the young were fully grown, and before they left the nests, numerous parties -of the inhabitants, from all $)arts of the adjacent country, came Avith wagons, .axes, beds, cooking utensils, many of ithem accom- panied by the .greater part of their families, and encamped for several days at this immense nursery. Several of them informed me that the noise in the woods was so great as to terrify tlicir horses, and that it was difficult fur one perscm to hear another speak without bawling in his ear. The ground was strewed with broken limbs of trees, eggs, and youn" squab pigeons, which had been precipitated from above, and on which herds of hogs were fattening. Hawks, buzzards, and eagles, were sailing about in great numbers, and sjizing the squabs from their nests at pleasure; while from twenty feet upward to the tops of the trees, the view tlirongh the woods presented a pei-petual tumult of crowding and flut- tering multitudes of pigeons, their wings roaring like thunder, mingled with the crash of falling timber — tor now the axe-men were at work cutting down tliose trees that seemed to be the most crowded with nests, and contrived to fell them in such a manner that in their descent they miglit bring down several others, by which means the falling of one large tree sometimes produced two hundred Sfjuabs little inferior in size to the old ones, and almost one mass of fat. "All accounts agree in stating that each nest contains only one young squab. These are so ex- tremely fat that the Indians nnd many of the whites are accustomed to nie5t down tlie fat for domestic purposes, as a substitute for butter and lard." AuDTHJOx gives quite an astonishing account of the flight of the Wild Pigeon. He says: "In the autumn of 1813, I left my home on the banks of the Ohio, on my way to Louisville. In passing over the barrens, I observed the pigeons passing fi-om the northeast to the southwest, in greater numbers than I thought I had ever seen them before. I traveled on, and still met more the further I pro- ceeded. Tlie air was literally filled with them. The light of the sun at noon-day was obscured, as if by an eclipse. Before sunset, I reached Louis- ville, distant from the ])laoe where I first observed them about fifty-five miles. The pigeons were still passing in undiminished numbers, and continued to do so for three days in succession. The people were all in arms. The banks of the Ohio were crowded with men and boys continually shooting at the pigeons, which flew lower as they pai^sed the river. Multitudes were thus destroyet agricultm*al papers, we may keep pace with the discoveries and improvements in the sciences, and at the same time imbibe a little of that enthusiasm so necessaiy to give zest to any pursuit. Every agriculturist should also be a horticulturist. Horticulture renders the tilling of the earth a more attractive employment. It is more elevating and refining to the mind. It qualifies us to surround our homes with those ornaments and luxuries which render the farmstead so in-viting. By a knowledge of horticulture we may produce such an endless succession of fruits and vegetables as to almost reproduce the Jirst garden. Then let us combine agriculture w^ith horticulture, and we may render our farms and dwellings so beautiful and attractive as to win the hearty respect of aU classes. Xo one can look upon the homes of the more intelligent and progressive farmers — the elegant and substantial dwellings, the convenient barns, sheds, corn-houses, piggeries, heneries, &c., the tastefully arranged door-yard and parterre, the cleanly cultivated and weU-filled garden, the fruit- yards and orchards, and the well-planned, well- drained, well-fenced, and weU-cultivated fields, — without feeling an involuntary respect for the owner — without acknowledging that he is a true nobleman. Would that the number of such homesteads were multiplied indefinitely. Then would the farmer be awarded by general acclaim his true position in society. Then no longer would the farmer's son seek a more honorable career in commerce or in the learned professions, nor the farmer's daughter hope to exalt her condition by an alliance with a city gentleman. p, c. eeyxolds. 2^eor Palmyra, Dec. i'BArGn. THE GENESEE FARMER. OL WESTERN N. Y. FKTTIT GEOWERS' ASSOCIATION. This Society held its Annual Winter Meeting in this city January 6th and 7th. The following offi- cers were elected for the ensuing year : President — B.. P. XORTOX, Brockport. Vke Fre-^iJirUs — J. J. Thomas, Union Springs; Wm. Beowx Smith, Syracuse; Lewis F. Allzk, Black Rock. Secretaries — C. P. Bissell, Rochester; John B. Eatox, Buffalo. Treasurer — W. P. Towxsekd, Lockport. Executive Committee — P. Barry, Rochester; Johx J. Thomas, Union Springs ; (J. L. Hoag, Lockport ; William Browx Smith, Syracuse ; Joseph Frost, Rochester. CommitUe on Kative Fruits — Johx J. Thomas, Union Springs; P. Barbt, Rochester; Thomas Smith, Grenera ; E. C. Frost, Catharine. Committ'tc on Foreign Fruits — Geo. Ellwaxger, Roches- ter ; T. C. Maxwell, Geneva ; J. C. Haxchett, Syracuse ; C. M. Hooker, E. A. Frost, Rochester. Committee on Nomenclature — P. Barry, W. P. Towx- SEXD ; J. B. Eatox ; Joseph Frost ; J. J. Thomas. Committee on Finance — Geo. Ellwaxger, James Vick, Rochester ; T. C. J^Iaxwell, Geneva ; Wm. Brown Smith, Syracuse; W. P. Towxsexd, Lockport. The General Chairman of last year, P. Babry, was re- elected, and empowered to appoint the County Committees. The Treasurer made his report, showing a balance of $32.71 in favor of the Society. The following question was proposed for discus- sion : — What soil is best adapted to produce the Apple in the greatest perfection, loth tree and fruit ; also, the leit soil for the Pear, Peach, and Cherry? BEST SOIL FOE APPLE OP.CHAKDS. Lewis F. Allex, of Black Rock, remarked that there are several kinds of soU adapted to the growth of the Apple — it does well in the Xorthem States, the Canadas, and also in the South and "West. The Apple is not very difficult to please ; but, taking all things into consideration, he thought Western Xew York, from Syracuse to the Niagara river, is as well adapted for this purpose as any section of the Union. From personal observation, he could also speak favorably of Canada West, Northern Ohio, and the eastern part of Michigan. The flavor, however, of the fruit raised in tlfose localities, he did not con- sider equal to that of the fruit of Western New York. The difference in soil and temperature, and other special causes, of various locahties, greatly affects the character of fi-uits; so that varieties good in one section are poor or worthless in others, and Tic^ versa^ making it impossible to compare fruits grown in sections widely distant. He had seen good apples raised on soils that were almost blow- ing sands, and in New England they flourish on granite soils. Some apples do best on particular soils ; and he believed the Newtown Pippin to be one of these. The Rhode Island Greening, also, is not the same here that it is in its native home. He considered it much affected by the soil in which it grows. Mr. Spe>-ce, of Starkey, thought that climate affects fruits as much as soU, and agreed with Mr. ALI.EX, that the Apple would adapt itself easily to different soils. H. E. HooKEP., of Rochester, said that the ques- tion refers to various soUs in the same locahty, and not to different sections of the country. The char- acter of the surfaee-soU he thought not so impor- tant as the formation of the sub-soil. A gentleman, yesterday, manuring his orchard, which was unpro- ductive, asked him if he thought it would praeiote its fertility. His answer was, that as it was wet and undrained, the manuring would probably be of little benefit. He had always found the best or- chards on land well drained, either naturally or artificially. P. Barbt — We know that good trees and apples are grown on light soUs, but they require much more manuring. The same is the case with granite soils in New England — they must be heavily ma- nured. Dryness of bottom, as referred to by Mr. Hooker, is very important; but a strong yellow clay, or heavy land, requiring drainage, is better than a sandy soil, even for a Peach orchard. As Mr. Allex has remarked, the Apple is found in perfection in all parts of the country; and from recent observations through the Western States and other portions of the Union, the ideas that he had formerly held of the changeableness of the charac- ters of fruits by soil and climate, had been greatly modified. Even the Fajneuse, which he, with others, had always considered to be one of those most affected at the West, he had found in Central and Southern Illinois to be good, large, and hard. The Xeictown Pippin., also, was there a general favorite. The Spitzenherg was fine, firm, and solid, and good as any grown on the Hudson. I believe we are quite in the dark in reference to this matter. J. J. Thomas had seen the Newtown Pippin at Cincinnati as fine as any grown on the Hudson; and the Spitzeiiberg at the far West he had found excellent. On the subject of soils, his experience was, that wherever good crops of corn can be raised apples may be best grown. Lewis F. Allen could not speak so well of these fruits at the West as the gentleman who had just preceded him. He had, however, seen the Yellow Belleflower at the West very fine ; but, as a general rule, some local apple is the one best adapted. He agreed with Mr. Barry, that a dry sub-soil is essen- tial ; but a naturally dry sub-soil is what is needed, and not one formed artificially. Land artificially drained he had never found to answer so good a purpose for an orchard as that which is naturally dry. If he intended to plant trees, and had a fann on which there was not land naturally dry, he knew of no remedy which would be so effectual as to trad© it oft' for such as is suitable for the purpose. H. E. Hooker thought underdraining due of the greatest considerations for an orchard, but his own 62 IHE GENESEE FARMER. experience coincides witli the remarks of Mr. Allen abont a naturally dry sub-soil. He has an orchard standing on a springy hill-side, which he had under- drained" with tile; but the fruit is always small, knotty, one-sided, and worthless. Another orchard of his, on land with a naturally dry, porous sub- soil, jn-oduces fruit, both in quantity and quality, to his entire satisfaction. He thought a few varie- ties might succeed on moist soil. Mr. Spenoe was surprised to hear tile drainage denounced for orchards, and farms that need such treatment recommended to be traded off to some unfortunate neighbor ! Drainage, whether natural or artificial, is the same. He has an orchard on a low, moist, rich soil, the roots of which are often bathed with water; and he has another on high land, but it never bore so well as the low one. — Lately he has underdrained the low orchard with tile, tVom three to four feet deep, but could not yet say anything of the re-sult. Mr. VicK thought that before this point could be decided, Mr. Hookee should explain how he under- drained. Mr. Barry said that perhaps Mr. Hooker''s land is no better after draining than it was before, and he would now say more than he had before : he would prefer a strong land that would require drain- ing, to a light soil. He was surprised to hear gen- tlemen of so large experience express such opinions. It is well known that tile draining is eminently bene- ficial for farm crops, and trees require no better or ditferent land than such as is well adapted for gen- eral farming purposes. As the orcliard which Mr. HooKEK refers to is on a side-hill, he was inclined to think that the drainage was ineftectual, a.s it is well known that side-hills have always been con- sidered the most difficult to drain. Mr. Maxwell thought that he could drain a side- hill without any trouble — had done considerable such draining — always laid the tiles straight up and down the slope, and found them to work well. Mr. Scott said Smitu of Deanston had discovered the true method of draining side-hills, by tapping the springs.* Mr. B. Smito, of Geneva, thought that under- draining would accomplish all that its most earnest advocates claim for it. -J. J. Thomas would like to inquire about the depth and direction of Mr. Hooker's drains. Mr. Hooker drained down the slope ; the drains were from four to ten rods apart, and from two and half to four feet deep. The surface of the land was broken, so that it was impracticable to lay out the drains in straight lines or at regular distances. — Some parts of tlie land appearing dryer than others, he had put the tiles in at greater distances. A part of tliis land, in all respects similar to that where the orchard stood, and drained in the same manner, was cultivated with corn and other farm crops, and drained well. * It was Elkington of Warwickshire, not Smith of Deanston that adopted the practice referred to by Mr. S. Smith advocated the system of layinj; shaLlow parallel drains at regular intervals, and it is the one wlii^'h has been most generally adopted in Eng- land. Parkes adopts the same system, only tliat he recommends deeper drains. The old-fashioned " Elkington system," in special localities, is good, as far as it goes; but it can hardly be consid- ered the "true method of draining side-hilLs," as it has little influ- ence in draining off the surface water. Ei>s. Dr. P. P. Bristol, of Dansville, had been much delighted with the discussion ; but it was not clear to his mind that land could be considered to be well drained merely because tiles were laid through it at certain distances apart, without reference to the peculiarities of the situation. Drains should be laid close enough to do their work eftectually, whatever the distance required might be. He has an orchard on the border of Cayuga Lake, that was in fine bearing condition for several years past, and until within the last two years, when the water of the lake has been higher than for fifty years before. Many of these trees are now dead, and the remain- der are in a dying condition. This orchard now stands only two feet above the level of the lake, but previously the usual height was from six to eight feet. Now, as the only apparent reason for the death of this orchard is the saturation of the earth with water, so it is evident that if this water could by any means be removed, the land would be re- stored to its former fertility. Here is a fact indi- cating the advantage of underdraining for orchards. Lewis F. Allex and H. E. Hooker made similar remarks, to the elfcct thtit they did not wish to be understood as denouncing artificial underdraining for orchards; but that in their opinion it is unprofit- able to underdrain for this purpose when so much land ctm be obtained that is naturally adapted to it, and the low land could be profitably used for pas- turage and meadow. L. B. Langwortiiy considered the quality of the soil of little consequence or value, but underdrain- ing everything. Plants receive comparatively little of their substance from the soil, but mostly from the atmosphere, through their leaves. Soil is only a substauce in which to fix plants to keep them iu place, { ! ) and an excess of moisture at their roots impedes their healthy organic action. A dry sub- soil, therefore, he thought worthy of the cultiva- tor's first and last attention. F. W. Lay, of Greece, had observed that apples grown on light soils were apt to decay sooner than those grown on heavy lands, L. F. Allen had noticed that apples grown in warm, dry seasons, woidd decay sooner than those of cool, moist summers. S. L. Fuller, of Conesus Center, has a neighbor who has two orchtu'ds, one on a flat and the other on a high land ; and the fruit from the low land always keeps the best. EVENING SESSION, This session was opened by an elegant, learned, and appropriate address, from the late President, J. J. Thomas, a portion of which will be published in a future number. PRUNING. Mr. Barry, who was expected to have delivered a lecture on the subject of Pruning, rendered as an apology for not doing so, absence from home for some time past. The subject of Pruning, he remarked, is far more important than is generally considered. It requires the study of trees, and the whole science of vegeta- ble physiology; and, as the President in his address has said, is a beautiful subject. THE GENESEE FARMER. 63 A person may have the knife and the saw in his hand all his life, and yet not know how to prune properly. Pruning is both a science and an art; and the pruner must know why he prunes, as well as when and how, and should be able to give a sdentitic reason for every operation. A tree consists of many parts, — roots, stem, limbs, leaves, and so forth, — and one part depends on anotlier, and the healtliy condition of the tree depends on the healtliy action of all these parts. Trees pruned and trained low are found best adapted to the wants of the cultivator. Without tlie interference of the knife, trees grown in open situations will of themselves naturally take this form, the branches starting out close to the gi'ound, and assuming somewhat of a pyramidal shape. Yet, however closely we may follow nature in this respect, the general conditions of fruit-bearing trees are not natural conditions, and much skill and judgment are necessary, in the cultivator, to pro- duce a healthy and vigorous development of his trees in these circumstances. We have planted in great haste, in this country, and without knowledge on this subject, thereby incurring great loss, which, for the future, can be remedied only by stricter attention to this brancli of horticulture. In answer to an inquiry, he would reply, briefly, as a general rule, pruning should be done in the latter part of winter or very early in the spring. Much summer pruning may be done to advantage by pinching oft" the ends of shoots in a growing state, and thus save much subsequent labor. CULTIVATION OF THE GRAPE. Dr. p. p. Bristol having been requested to ex- plain his method of grape-growing, replied that at the present time he was unprepared to give any very minute account of his experience or practice. The custom of pruning the Grape vine, he said, has been practiced from the earliest times, as all past experience has shown this to be an essential opera- tion for the production of good fruit, on account of the tendency, in all the Grape genus, to a super- abundance of wood and foliage. The question now naturally arises, how much and when the vme should be pruned. Difterent cultivators have prac- tictxl difterent methods. I shall confine myself to the pruning of our hardy grapes in this climate. As the pruning and the culture are inseparable, it will also be proper for me to speak of the culture of tlie vine. Plants from two to three years old, or even four years old, I consider the most favorable for transplanting from the nursery. The ground where they are planted should, in all cases, be underdrained. If the fruit is intended for market and table purposes, the vines should be planted in rows each Avay, from six to twelve feet distant. Mr. McKay, of Naples, has obtained from one acre of Isabella grapes, standing sixteen feet apart each way, 11,000 pounds. The proper distance for wine grapes is from three to four feet each way. My system of pruning is, the first year to cut with- in a foot of the ground — the second year cut to about three feet of the ground, and stake the vine well and allow three canes to grow. The pruning should be done in the fall or early winter, as the wood is open, and requires the cold and frost of winter to close up the pores, from which, if pruned in the spring, the sap would ooze out and iujui-e or destroy the vine. The cut should be an inch or more aljove an ey6, to save it from being killed. As tlie vine grows larger, it Avill need close pruning — I prune to two buds. I prefer to train tlie vine in a fan form, on Avire trellises. About the middle of June, I pick oft' the ends of the shoots and take off" about one-half the young fruit. As a general rule, in all stages of the vine, one half of the wood and one-half of the fruit should be removed ; the fruit that remains will weigh as much as the Avhole would if allowed to grow, and will be much finer. Mr. Fat, of Brocton, Chautauque county, showed some grapes at the last State Fair, which were the finest I ever saw ; and he allowed only five bunches to grow on a vine. I liave a vineyard of eight acres, three years old, which bore this year 3,000 pounds of grapes, and among these were only three bushels of imperfect ones. I think highly of the renewal system of pruning, and shall adopt it jn the future treatniient of my vines. J. J. Thomas had had the privilege of examining some of tlie grapes gi-own by the previous speaker, and could testify to their excellent character. Many of them were seven-eighths of an inch in diameter. best soil for pears. The clause relating to the best soil for Pears, etc., of the question under discussion in the afternoon, was now resumed. H. E. Hooker considered strong clayey soils best for the Pear. Good draining is necessary. Has seen cases where he thought the Pear would bear moisture better than Apples or Cherries. L. F. Allen — I do not mean to say much on this subject, because I do not know much about it. I think the Pear a very capricious, as well as a very delicious fruit, and believe horticulturists yet in the dark about its cultivation. I have invested more dollars in pear-culture than I should here like to name. Forty years ago, when a lad, in one of my freaks of enterprise, I went to Detroit, and was then strongly impressed with the strength and grandeur of the old pear trees standing on both sides of the river. Six years ago I was again there, and thought I would examine the condition of those trees. The land where they grew was a heavy clay, and be- longs to the Onondaga salt group. I drove up the river several miles to Lake St. Clair, and found these trees and orchards aU along the bank of the river, which was about forty feet above the water. These trees, which were probably ]>lanted about the time of the settlement of the State, in 1V60, must now be nearly one hundred years old. Many of them are ti-om fifty to sixty feet high, and large and symmetrical in their proportions. Thus these pear trees have flourished, while in the hands of the uncultivated French settlers of that district, who are nearly as wild as savages. I went up to a hut, and found there an old French woman, who could not speak English, and a boy, by whom I conversed*with her. These trees, she said, had been about the same size as long as she could remember, and thought that when she was young, there were more trees than at that time. The old woman could not teU her age, but I should judge she was about eighty years old. Sottie of the trees stood in lines, but through others no rows could be traced. It apjjcared as if 64 THE GENESEE FARMER. the whole liad been once an orchard, with the trees standing in rows at regular distances. At that time the trees were loaded with fruit about the size and shape of the Virgalieu; their color was green, and thej were puckery to the taste, and not tit for table use. The trees yielded from thirty to sixty bushels each every year.^ Here, then, in this clayey loam, which had not been cultivated, for many years at least, if ever, and probably never manured, stood these old pear Irees, magniticent in their proportions and vigorous foliage. This Avas evidently a good pear soil ; but, nine-tenths of the original trees had gone, showing tliat the Pear is a precarious tree. On the Canada side of the Niagara river, at , are hundreds of old pear trees which were planted at the time of the Revolution, by tory settlers from tlie States, with seeds which they brought with tliem, from New Jersey and some other parts. The soil is poor, but the trees are in a flourishing condi- tion, and unatfected by the blight. Few of the apple trees then planted now stand. Some of these trees, owned by an acquaintance of mine, I induced him to graft with scions which I let him have from my garden, among which were the Marie Louise^ Glout Morceau. Bartlett, Winter N'elis, and one or two other varieties. He grafted them thirty feet high, and they now bear splendidly. The soil where these trees stood is a heavy clay. On the opposite side of the river, in a lighter soil, many pear trees have been blighted. BEST SOIL FOR THE PEACH AND CnERET. Mr. Barry — The Peach requires a dry soil, and will succeed much better on light soils than most other fruit trees; but a heavier soil will also be found well suited to it, if it is dry. The Cherry requires a dry soil of almost any kind. Had heard the opinion advanced that the cracking and gum- ming of cherry trees was most prevalent on light sandy soils, and thought this to be tlie case. Mr. Stacey could concur with Mr. B., that the Cherry is not adapted to moist soils — ^he had lost aJiout 25 trees by the stoppage of an underdrain. H. N. Langworthy had twenty years experience in growing cherries on light sandy soil, with good success. Mr. Barry recommended as an assortment of cherries for family use, the Early Purple Guigne, Belle (V Orleam^ Gov. Wood., May Du^e, Blach Tar- tarian^ and Black Eagle for early sorts ; for a late sort, the Reine Ilortense, and the very late. Belle MaCy., 1858, Smut in Wheat. — Will some of your correspondents tell us what will prevent smut in wheat. — Francis Mokton. — Wc.^ Arran, O. ^. Fining Cider. — Will some of your correspondents give me the process of fining cider without boiling down. By so doing, thpy will confer a favor on your Oregon subscri- bers. Will isinglass answer this purpose, and how much per barrel, and what is the price per pound. W. Ruble,— Fola, Folk Co., Oregon. Wind-Galls on Horses. — I wish to inquire through your paper, if any of your correspondents can inform me what will cure what we call wind-galls on horses? I have a young horse that has a ven,- bad one on his hock, that I am very anxious to get cured, W. W. Records.— i^co-saa^ Ridge, Green Co., Ind. Mad-Itch. — Will some of your correspondents give the cause and cure of what is called, in this section, mad-itch in cattle? They commence rubbing, and often rub out their eyes, and usually die in twenty-four hours. Not one has ever been known to recover, when attacked with it.— H. — Albany, Ky. Wintering Cattle and Horses. — I wish two or three of the best farmers who take the Genesee Firmer, would give their experience as to the best method of wintering stock, cattle and horses in particular. I feel that there is a vast deal to be learned on that point. G. C. Ltman. — Lynn, Pa, Feeding Sheep. — You will greatly oblige one of your readers by giving, through \\\i Farmer, the best mode of keeping and feeding sheep through the winter, so that they will be fit for the shambles in tlie spring. Wm. Reno. — Newcastle, Lawrence Co., Fa. Saw-Dust. — Please inform me, through the Farmer, whether an application of saw-dust, in its raw state, to land, for mulching or to plow in, will be of use ; or whether it is a suitable article with which to mix night soil. W. B. Hew Advertisements this Month. Vegetable, Field, Flower, Tree, and Fruit Seeds.— J. M. Thor- bum, New York. New Books Just Publislied. — A. 0. Moore, New York. Impliee Seed.— A. O. Moore, New York. Hamilton Nurseries, C. W.— E. KeHy & Co., Ilamilton, 0. W. Cranberry Plants, New Eoclielle Blackberry, Easpberries, Hop Tree, Grapes, &c. — F. Trowbridge, New Haven, Conn. Morgan Horse for Sale. — J. Dorr, Scottsville, N. Y. Premium Chester County White Hogs. — Thos. Wood, Penning- tonville, Pa. Eochester and Lake Avenue Commercial Nurseries, — J, Don- nellan & Co., Eochester, N. Y. Poultry for Sale.— S. Smith, Darien Depot, Conn. Dorking Fowls. — A. Sintzenich, Eochester, N. Y. Pear Seeds and Seedlings — B. M. Watson, Plj-mouth, Mass. Eochester Central Nurseries, Chinese Sugar Cane Seed. — C. W. Seelye, Eochester, N. Y. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Faemee, must be received as early as the 10th of the previous month, and be of such a character as to l)e of interest to farmers. Terms — Two Dollars for every hun- dred words, each insertion, paid in advance. DORKING FOWLS/ I HAVE for sale a few Speckled DorkinffS, from imported stock, which took the FIKST PEIZE at^the U. S. Agricul- tural Exhibition at Philadelphia. Price, %b per pair (cock and hen) ; $2 per sincle bird. Carefully shipped bv Express to any destination. Address A. SINTZENICH, February, 1858.— It* Eochester, N. Y. POULTRY FOR SALE. BEEMEN, African, and Wild Geese; Wild Turkeys domesti- cated, large breed of Turkeys ; Cayuga Black, Aylesburv, and Chinese White Ducks; White Guinea Hens; Black Spanish and Leghorn Black Polauds, Golden and Silver Plicasants and Hamburgs, Black Spanish G.ime, Pile Game, Irish Game, White and Grey Dorkinijs, Brahma Pootra, White Shanghai, Buff and lied Dominique Shanghai, Whit© African Bantams, and Seabright Bantams; all pure bred and very fine, S. SMITH, February, 1858,— It Darien Depot, Fairfield Co., Conn. THE GEKESEE FARMER. A. O, MOORE, AGRICULTURAIi BOOK PUBLISHER, 140 FUI.TOA' STK£ET, NEW-YofeK. ]VE\V WORJiS JUST PUBLISHED. Warder's Hedge Manual. A complete treatise on Hedges, Everfj;reenSi and all plants suitable for American Hedging, espe<'ially tlie Mai-lura, or Osage Oraiige— the only successful system of pruning — manipulation and niaMag.'nient — fully illustrated with cuts of implements and pro- ce.'*i's, to wliicli is added a treatise on ];V1:i;(;KE1-:NS— tlieir different varieties, Oieir propagation, trarisplantiui,' and culture in the United States. By Jno. A. Warder, M. D , Eii. of Western Hort. Keview ami Prest. of tiie Cincinnati llort. ijciet;i'. 1 vol. 1:2 mo. Priee one dollar. Reld's Pear Culture- A treatise on the Propagation and Cultivation of tlie Pear in America — a full catalogue and description of tli« difTerent varieties — tlieir adaptation to Dwarfs and Standanls — the best modes of pnining, with directions for ripening ami preserving the fruit. Numerous engraviiigs.carcfully prepared, exliiljit lioth the errone- ous aod correct metliods of treatme^it. By Thos, W. Field. 1 vol. 12 mo. Price seveiity-flve cents. Fish Culture A Treatise on the Artificial Propagation of Fish, with the des- cription and habits of Uie kinds most suitable for pisci culture, also tlie most successful modes of Angling for the fishes therein des- cribed. By Tlieodatus Garlick, M. D., Vice Prest. of the Cleve- land Academy of Nat. Science. 1 vol. 8 vo. Price one dollar, Flint oa Grasses. A Practical Treatise on Grasses and Forage Plants, with more than One Hundred Illustrations of grasses and implements. The cvlitor of tlae American Agriculiurist says: " Thin is the bext tre:ffisfi of the kind we hare seen on tfiis importunt stibjeut. HV adtns'' our readers 1o gH the honk and stttdi/ if tJiorouglil)/, ns ipe are nmc doing.^'' By Charles L. Flint, A. M., Sec. of the Miiss. State Board of Agriculture. 1 vol. 8vo. Price .$1.25. AJ] the above works will be sent post-paid on receipt of price. Address, A. O. MOORE, Agricultural Book Pul>lisher, February, 1858.— It 140 Fulton St., New-York. SUGAE IS MADE!!! OLCOTTS BOOIC, •• SORGHO AND IMPHEE," or the Chi- nese and African Sugar Canes: Containing full instructions for making Sugar, Molasses, Alcohol, etc., etc Sent by mail post paid. Price $1. I IMPHEE SEED. — One variety, enough to M r 11 E 11. plant two square rods, sent by mail pre-paid, with the book for six cents more in postage stamps. Each additional variety of Imphee, six ce^nts. — OdIi/ sent P> those who order the book. Gov. J. H. Hammond, of South Carolina, who raised the above seed, testifies, under date of Nov. 2pliciuil8 enclosing a three cent stamp. Tlie subscribers offer, of the growth of 1857, and of the very finest qualities, their usual e.Ktensive a-ssortment of SEEDS, com- prising many novelties and every tested desirable variety known in Uie several departments of VEGETABLE, FIELD, FLOWER, TREE, AND FRUIT SEEDS. They would particularly call the attention of cultivators and amateurs to the following Choice Pons. EXTRA EARLY DANI KL 0'i;< lURKE— The cariiest known. •' SANC^TEK'S No. 1— A great favorite. « " TOM THUMB — Very flue growing, but 8 inches high. EARLY SEBASTOPOI>— New and good. CHAMPION OF EXGLAXD— One of the very best. DWAIIF A\l> TALL SUC AI!— Edible pods. HAIR-S DWAKK MAMMOTH— Superb. HARRISON'S GLOliV AND PERFECTION— New and very productive. NAPOLEON AND EUGENIE— Both new and earlv,wrinkl9d. EPPS' LORD RAGLAN— New and superb. EPPS' MONARCH— " " CARTi:i;s Vl< roRIA— Fine, wrinkled. BRITISH CiUEEN— One of the best late. Witti thirty other standard sorts, for which sec catalogue. ALSO, EARLY PARIS, NONPARIEL, and LENOEMAND'S CAU- LIFLOWER : EARLY WAKEFIELD, OX-HEART, and AVINNING- STADT CABBAGE : EARLY* and GIANT WHITE and RED SOLID CELERY; PRIZE CUCUMBERS, for frames; EARLY' TOMATOES ; SWEET SPANISH AND BiaL-NOSE PEPPER; EARLY' CURLED LETTU<^E ; EARLY CURLED PARSLEY ; EXTRA EARLY TURNIP BEET; EARLY WHITE VIENNA KOHI^RABI; WINTER CHERRY or STRAWBERRY TOMATO; APPLE AND PEAK SEEDS; MAHAl.KB CHERRY IMIS ; HAVANA TOBACCO SEED; DIOSC(JREA BATATAS or CHINESE POTATO AVith thousands of other SEEDS of the same superior qnalities as have heretofore afforded such universal satisfaction, and which can be recommended with the fullest confidence as unsurpassed for genuineness. AFRICAN IMPHEE— genuine, as raised by Mr. L. Wray; $1 per lb. SORGHUM, or CHINESE SUGAR CANE ; 25 cts. -per lb. Flower Seeds. The collection this season is unusually large and choice, em- bracing many novelties. Orders by mail will have immediate attention. J. M. THOEBURN & CO., Febrnary, 1868— St 15 John street. New York. HAMILTON NUHSERIES, C. W. [N ADDITION to a large as-sortment of young Nursery Stock, we offer, at low prices for cash or short approved credit, 135,000 First class Apple Tree.?, four years old ; 13,000 Plum Trees, two and three years; very Jin^. 5,000 Cherrj' Trees ; And .all the Small Fruits. E. KELLY & CO., January, 1S5S.— 2t* Hamilton, C. W. THOMAS WOOD CONTINUES to ship to order, to any part of the Union, his celebrated Premium Chester County White Hoss, m pairs not akin, on reasonable terms. Address THOS. WOOD, February, 1858.-11* PenningtonvUle, Chester Co., Pa. CRANBERKY PLANTS. THE Bell variety is Ixst adapted for general cultivatioii. Cir- culars will be forwarded to applicants. ITew Rochelle Blackberry. Genuine plants, at low prices, by the dozen or hundred. (For Cultivation, see circular.) Hop Tree, ^or ornament and use ; superior to the common Hop. Raspberries. Dr. Brinckle's Orange, $1.25 per dozen. Red Antwerp, and other choice varieties, 60 cents per dozen ; $4 per hundred. Bagley's New Everbearing, $1 per dozen. Grapes. Isabella— one year, $10 per hundred; two years, $18 per hund. Catawba — '' " " " " " With a full assortment of Fruit, Ornamental, and Evergreen Trees, Shrubs, Vines, &c. For further particulars, see Catalogue, which will be forwarded to applicants. F. TEOWBRIDGE,' February, 1858. — It New Haven, Conn. MORGAN HORSE FOR SALE. FOE SALE, in whole or in part, or in exchange for western land, a Morgan Horse (entire) of fine figure and action, seven years old. J. DORR, February, 1858.— 3t Scottsville, Monroe Co., N. Y TIIE GEXESEE FAEMER. 71 the: GENESEE FARMER F OR- 1S58. DcEiNO the past year, the circulation of the Genesee Fakmek has nearly doubled. We believe it has now a larger list of sub- scribers than that of any similar journal in the world. This is mainly due to the voluntary efforts of the friends of Agricultural and Horticultural Improvement, who have kindly consented to act as agents, in procuring and forwarding the names of sub- scribers in their respective districts. To Postmasters, especially, we are under great obligations, for their disinterested labors in increasing the circulation of the Fakmer and Eural Annuai. The Genesee Farmer is the only fifty cent agricultural paper in this country that is not made up from a weekly paper. It contains as much matter as any of the dollar monthlies, and much more than many of them. It has a larger and more extensive list of correspondents than any similar journal in the world. It is published in one of the finest agricultural and fruit-growing sections in the United States, and we number among our corres- pondents many of the best practical farmers and gardeners in the countiy. The paper is not local in its character. No farmer nor fmit-grower in any section of the Union, or in the adjoining Provinces, can read a single number without getting some hint that may prove valuable. Encouraged by past favors, we have determined to offer the following liberal LIST OP PREMIUMS FOR 1858. SPECIFIC PEEMITJMS. 1. To every person who sends us Eight Subscribers, (at our lowest terms of thirty-seven and a half cents each,) we will send, postage paid, a copy of our beautiful twenty-five cent book, the Rural Annual for 1858 2. To every person who sends us Sixteen subscribers, (at our lowest club terms of thirty-seven and a half cents each,) ■we will send one extra copy of the Genesee Farmer and one copy of the Rural Annual. 8, To every person sending us Twentt-Foub subscribers, as above, we will send two copies of the Rural Annual and one extra copy of the Farmer, or any agricultural work valued at fifty cents, postage paid. 4. To any person ordering Tuirty-Two copies of the Farmer, as above, we will send three copies of the Rural Annual and one extra copy of the Farmer, or any agricultural work valued at seventy-five cents, postage paid. 5. For FoETT, four copies of the Rural Annual and one extra copy of the Farmer, or any agricultural book valued at $1.00, postage paid, or four extra copies of the Farmer. 6. For FoRTT-EiGHT, five copies of the Rural Annual and one extra copy of the Farmer, or any agricultural book valued at 81.25, postage paid, or five extra copies of the Farmer. For larger numbers, books or papers will be given in the same proportion. |^~ To save cxTJense to our friends, we pay the postage on all these works, and persons who are entitled will state what they wish sent, and make their selections when they send orders; or, if their list is not complete, if wished, we will delay sending until the club is fuU. LARGE APRIL PREMIUMS For the Greatest Xnmber of Subscribers. In order to excite a little competition among our friends every- where, as well as to reward them for their voluntary labors In behalf of onr journal, we make the following liberal offers. Those who do not get the premiums offered below, are sure of the above, so that we have no blanks. 1. FIFTY DOLLAES, in Agricultural Books (at the lowest prices), to the person who shall send us the largest number of subscribers at the lowest club price of 'SIM. cents, before the 15th day of April next, so that we may announce the successful com- petitors in the May number. » 2. TIIIETY DOLLAES, in Agricultural Books, to the person who shall send us the second highest number, as above. 3. TWENTY-FIYE DOLLAES, in Agricultural Books, to the person who shall send us the third highest list, as above. 4. FIFTEEN DOLLAES, in Agricultural Books, to the per- son who shall send Us the fourth highest list, as above. 5. FOUETEEN DOLLAES, in Agricultural Books, to the person who shall send us the fifth highest list, as above. 6. TIIIETEEN DOLLAES, in Agricultural Books, to the jx;rson who shall send us the sixth highest list, as above. r. TWELVE DOLLAES, in Agricultural Books, to the persom who shall send us the seventh highest list, as above. 8. ELEVEN DOLLAES, in Agricultural Books, to the person who shall send us the eighth highest list, as above. 9. TEN DOLLAES, in Agricultural Books, to the person who shall send us the ninth highest list, as above. There is not a town in the United States where any person, by showing his neighbors a copy of the paper and asking them to subscribe, might not take some of the above Premiums. The Premiums will be promptly paid. The Books can bo selected, by the person taking a Premium, from ttie very com- plete list which we publish m our advertising columns, or wo will get any works which are required, and furnish them at the lowest retail price of the publishers. Our object in ofTeriug Books is to increase their circulation throughout the country. Clubs are not required to be at one Post OlTice, or sent to ono address. We send wherever the members of the club may desire. Names can be added to a club at any time. RURAL ANNUAL AND GENESEE FAilMER IN CLUBS, Every subscriber to the Farmer should have a copy of tho KuRAL Annual. In clubs of eight, we send the Farmer for one year and a copy of the Eural Annual for fitly cents. In other words, for Four Dollars we will send eight copies of the Farmer for one year and eight copies of the Eurai Annual. For Eight Dollars we will send sixteen copies of the Farmer and sixteen copies of the Eural Annual, and one extra copy of each for the person who gets up the club. Any person sending us Turee Dollars for a club of eight of the Genesee Farmer, shall receive one copy of the Eural Annual for his trouble. We send the club to one address, or write the name of each subscriber on his paper, as requested. Postage. — The postage on the FAEivrER sent to any place in the State of New York, paid quarterly in advance, is three cents a year ; to any other place in the United States, five cents a year. We pay the American postage on all papers sent to the Canadas, or any of the other British Provinces. In all cases we i>ay tho postage on the Eural Annual. Our Agents, and Competitors for the above Premiums, will remember that our terms are always IN ADVANCE. Ono Copy, Fifty Cents a Year; Five Copies for Two Dollars; Eight Copies for Three Dollars, and any greater number at the same rate (tliree shillings per copy.) Ji^W" Subscription Money, properly enclosed, may be sent by mail at our risk, and you, need not "register" the letters. We should feel obliged if our western friends would send us, if con- venient. New York, Canada, or Eastern bills. SmaU sums may be sent In gold or postage stamps. Address JOSEPH HARRIS, Eocoester, N. T. 73 THE GENESEE FAEMER. Prices of Agricultaral Products at the Principal Markets in the United States, Canada and England. NEW TOKK, Jan. 2Sth. * PHILADELP'IA, Jaa. 28th. ROCHESTER, Jan. 30th. CHICAGO, Jan. 2Sth. TORONTO, Jan. 2Sth. LONDON, ENQ,, Jan. nth. $3.50 @ $5.00 $4.00 @ $6.00 $S.25 @ $15.00 do mess, per bbl.,.. Pork, per 100 lbs...... do mess, per bbl.... $9.0*0 @ $io".c6 6.50 7.50 14.75 14.80 .09 .09.'^ .10 .19 .06 .08 4.25 7.00 1.00 1.35 .65 .70 .73 .75 .33 .46 .70 .80 4.S0 6.50 1.75 2.25 1.25 13.00 15.00 .26 .45 $17.00 @ $ $8.00 @ $10.00 5.00 16.00 .{i9K .10 .07 6.50 1.00 .50 .50 .28 .40 4.00 2.00 6.00 .10 .15 .09 6.50 1.20 .5r .56 .36 .50 4.50 2.75 4.75 12.00 6..50 12.75 10 5i) 15.00 15.00 16.00 .09 A0J4 .11 .20 12.00 13.00 .08 .10 .15 .10 .12 3.00 4.50 M}i .95 .30 .44 .50 .23 .25 .26 .40 5.00 1.50 1.62>i .80 3.50 7.00 Lard, per lb., Butter, do .13 .19 .11 6.20 1.29 1.02 .90 .60 .78 .17 .14 .20 .80 .15 Flour, per bbl., Wheat, per bash., .... Corn, shelled, per bu., Rye, do Oats, do Barlsy, do 4.50 5.75 .95 1.35 .57 .62 .70 .33 .34 3.40 .60 4 25 7.25 1.53 1.08 .55 .ii7 .30 .30 .55 1.02 .99 1.20 5.00 5.75 2.00 2.75 Timothy Seed, do 1.71 1.77 Hay, per ton, 6.00 .25 4.50 10.00 .38 5.50 9.00 .15 5.60 16.00 Wood, hard, per cord. 5.50 6.00 CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. Natural and Artificial Drainage 41 Drauorht of Plowing at different depths 44 The Analysis of Soil-Analyses 44 Three- Horse Whiffle-Trees 49 The Ferret — Destroying Rati 50 Suggested Items — No. 17 50 Notes for the Month, by S. W 51 Variety of Farm Products 52 Cure for Colic in Horses 52 Sheep and Sheep-Ticks. 52 " Notions" on i oddering Stock 53 Agriculture in the AVest 53 Fattening Cattle in Winter 53 Stalls for Cows 54 Who has the oldest Horse ? 54 Muck applied unmixed to the Soil 55 Artesian Wells 55 Receipt for Founder in Horses 55 Refu.se Leather for Manure 55 Analysis of Soils 55 Chinese Sugar Cane in Iowa 56 Oxen vs. Horses 56 Buckwheat for a Sod Crop on the Prairie 56 Sow a variety of Grass Seeds 56 Notes from Minnesota 56 About Winter Butter 57 Anti-Chess — An Offer 57 AVheat turning to Chess — Once more 57 Seeding to Timothy Grass 57 The Wild Pigeon 5S The Genesee t'armer, and Agricultural Literature 59 Pig Breeding 59 Fattening Sheep in Winter 59 The best Time for Cutting Timber 59 What can Farmers do to elevate their Calling 60 lyiities of Landlord and Tenant 60 HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. Western New York Fruit Growers' Association 61 Best Soil for Apple Orchards 61 Pruning 62 C'ultivation of the Grape 63 Best Soil for Pears 63 Best Soil for the Peach and Cherry 64 Pears on Pear Stocks 64 Grapes best .adapted to Western New York 64 Training Hedges 65 65 66 Making Hot-Beds 66 The Woodpecker Profits of Fruit Culture. EDITOR S TABLE. Is the Genesee Farmer Twenty-seven Years old ? 67 January Premiums 67 Premiums for Short Essays 67 Postage on the Rural Annual 67 The Weather and Crops in Northern Illinois 67 Food of Bees 67 Pears in Oregon 67 Cattle Poi.soned by Paint 67 Crowded out 67 The United States Agricultural Society 68 Notices of the Genesee Farmer 68 Inquiries and Answers 68 List of New Advertisements. 69 ILLUSTRATIONS. Sixteen Figures illustrating Drainage Three-Horse Whiffle-Trees — two figures . The Ferret The Wild Pigeon Specimen of a badly trained Hedge " " properly " '• Hot-Bed 41—14 .... 49 .... 50 .... 58 .... 65 .... 65 . ... 66 A. LONGETT, No. 34 CLIFF STREET, NEW YORK, DEALER in Peruvian, Colombian and Mexican Guano, Super- phosphate of Lime, and Bone Dust. November 1, 1857.— ly. ROCHESTER CENTRAL NURSERIES. Setid for a Catalogue. CHINESE SUGAR CANE SEED.— A package of this Seed, 7 containing enough to plant half an acre of land, with jdnin directions for planting, cultivating, harvesting, and alWr treatment of the Cane, will be sent, postage paid, on the n-ceipt of One Dollar. Address C. W. SEELYE, February, lS5S.-4t Rochester, N. Y. G PEAR SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS. OOD, healthy Pear Seedlings, 1 year, .$S per 1,000, $75 per T 10,000: 2 years, S15 per 1,000, $140 per 1i),i New England Pear Seeds in prime order lor .<]iring sowing, .?5 per quart. Apple, Mazzard, Plum, Angers Quince, Mahaleb, . Paradise, and Doucain Stocks, of the best quality. Catalogues to any address. Carriage paid to New York or Boston. B. M. WATSON, Old Colony Nurseries, February, 1S58.— 3t Plymouth, Mass. J. DONNELLAN & CO., OF TILE ROCHESTER AND LAKE AVENUE COMMERCIAL NURSERIES, ROCHESTER, N. Y., WISH to inform their friends and customers that they have on hand for Fall Sales the following select assortment of Standard and Dwarf Fniit Trees, Evergreen and Weeping " Ornamental Deciduous and Climbing Shrubs, A numerous variety of select French and Domestic Roses, Pasonies, Phloxes, &c. &c.. Hardy Herbaceous and Hedge Plants. Bulbous Roots, Double Dahlias, Ac, &c., which they will sell in quantities to suit purchasers, and on moder- ate terms. 1011,000 3 and 4 year old Apple Trees, choicest kinds, 140,000 2 " " •' " " ISO 000 1 " « « « « 10,000 2 " Peach " " " 10,000 1 « UK " a with an average quantity of Pears Plums. Clierries, A:c. We have also 100,000 Manetti Stocks for Kosi-s, first quality. 5,000 1 and 2 year old Hi.rse Che.'tnut Seedl'g?. 100,000 assorted Appl(» Scions, from the most ap- proved kinds. ^^ Descriptive and Price Catalogues fiimished gratis. Rochester and Lake Avenue Com'l Nurseries, Feb. 1, 1658 — 2t. BTEEEOTYPED BY C. H. M'DONELL, K0CHE8TBK, N. Y. Vol, XIX, Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., IV^ARCH, 1858. No. 3. EOMAN AGRICULTUKE. Nkaelt all the recent investigations undertaken for the purpose of developing the principles of Agriculture, have demonstrated the important fact that tho-se pi-actices Avhich are founded on the care- ful observations of practical farmers, are eminently judicious. This fact, while it has damped some- what the ardor of those who anticipated a revolu- tion in agriculture from the introduction of special manures founded on the analyses of plants and soils, lias stitnulated Tnore cautious inquirers to study the opinions of practical men, not only of the present, but of the past. Hence it is that the agriculture of the ancient Romans is now receiving so much attention from some of the best British agricultural writers. From the similarity of our climate, this subject is even more worthy the attention of the farmers of this country than of those of England. "We have, in the old books on Eoman agriculture, a vast storehouse of observed facts, which, when examined by the light of modern science, not only suggests many subjects of great interest to the student of agricultural phenomena, but may enable us to deduce principles which will lead to an improvement in our present practices. The most complete treatise, on Roman agriculture was written by Columella, who flourished A. D. 42. It consists of thirteen books, one of which is in verse. This author gives practical directions for draining the land, both by open and covered drains. The covered drains, he says, should be three feet deep, lialf filled with small stones or clean gravel, the earth that was dug out being thrown over them. If neither stones nor gravel can be obtained, he advises that twigs should be twisted like a rope, and formed to the exact thickness of the bottom of the drain, and then that cypress or pine leaves should be pressed down upon it, taking care that at both ends of the drain two stones should be placed upright like pillars, having another laid over their top, to support the bank, and give a free ingress and egress to the water. Plowixg. — The Roman agri(?ultural writers inva- riably represent plowing as the most important operation of agriculture. Oato observes that ifj asked what is the first point in good husbandry, he should answer, good plowing; what the second — plowing of any kind; what the third — manuring: thus indicating the subordinate place he would assign to the latter. This was at an early period of Roman history, when the land retained, proba- bly, much of its original fertility. In the time of Columella, manuring was considered more essen- tial ; but even this writer evidently considered plowing one of the most important operations on the farm, and his directions must be admitted to be very practical and judicious. The land was never to be plowed when wet; in order completely to pulverize the soil, cross-plowing was to be resorted to ; the furrows were to be narrow and close, so that all roots and weeds might be destroyed ; and the surface left so equal that few or no traces of the plow could be perceived. Particular care was to be taken by the plowman, not to make an unequal furrow — one varying in breadth and depth; and when the ridges were thrown up, they were to be perfectly straight. So much were these two points insisted on, that they gave rise to the primary meaning of two words which are now in common use in a figurative sense. To plow with an irreg- ular furrow (varlo sulco) was to prevaricate — a term afterwards transferred to a witness in the law courts who deviated from the truth. The ridge thrown up by the plow was called lira; and if that was formed irregularly, the plowman was said delirare — a term which, under the foi-m of delirious we now use to signify only mental aberration. "We hope our right-minded and truthful readers will not act so inconsistently in their plowing opera- tions as to merit, in its etymological sense, the title of delirious prevaricators. Subsoiling appears to have been unknown, but the land was sometimes plowed nine inches deep, and generally three or four times in the course of 74 THE GEITESEE FAEMER. the season. Viegil recommends plowing a fallow for wheat twice in cold and four times in warm weather. There was indeed no limit to the number of plowings, lioeings, etc., the object being, accord- ing to TuEOPiiRASTUS, "to let the earth feel the cold of winter and the sun of summer, to invert the soil, and render it free, light, and clean of weeds, so that it can most easily atibrd nourishuTent." Sowing the Seed. — On wet soils, the seed was deposited in ridges, the soil being thrown up either witli a plow with two mold-boards, or by two turns of one with a single mold-board, after the seed Jiad 'been scattered. Ou dry ground, on tlie contraiy, the land was first ridged, and the seed then sown in the intervening furrows. Modern seed-drills were uid^nown, but this method of sowing in ridges accomplished the same object, enabling the farmers to hand-hoe their crops, which they did repeatedly. The question of tliick and thin sowing was dis- cussed by thi Romans as much as at the present time. Columella seems to be in favor of thin sowing in lic'i and loose soils, because the plants tiller, and thus become more productive. From two to two and a quarter bushels of seed wheat per acre was about the average quantity sown. Less was sown on light than on heavy soils. The selection of the finest and most healthy seeds was a matter of much attention. Vakro afiirms that wheat preserves its vitality for 50 years, millet for 100 years, and beans for 120 years. Rotation of Chops appears to have been little practiced — the land being renovated by means of fallow — though Yirgil says "the land will rest [that is, will remain in as good condition as if it had been fallowed,] by a change of crop." The Roman writers are almost unanimous in reconnnending to cut wheat before the grain is fully ripe, and Columella declares that it will ripen after it is cut. Pliny observes that wheat cut when fully ripe gives the greatest quantity of flour, but that reaped early has a finer and plumper berry. It was a maxim, "better to reap two days too soon than two days too late." ITorscs were seldom if ever used in cultivating the soil, oxen being employed for this purpose. Much attention was given to breeding and training them, an*. ~- i.IlX!i VxriXXriOIlJiii x jruLV-iu-uiv. NOTES FOR THE MONTH.— BY S. W. Soil- ANALYSES and Dr. Lek. — It is pleasant to read an article, now and then, from the now far off Dr. Daniel Lee, once the efficient editor of the young Genesee Farmer — a man who did so much, in the dark day of our agricultural Uterature, to lift up the mind of the farmer from the slough of hered- itary prejudice and hoary error. If, like the learned LiEBiG, it is his ftxult sometimes to make experiment bend to theory, he can at least boast of being ui very respectable company. But Dr. Lee ingenuously admits that his early notions of the reliability of soil-analyses have been modified \>y his own experi- ments. That part of Dr. Lee's article, in the last Farmer^ which interested me most, is his remarks on Mr. Wells' analyses of some of the semper-fertile soils of the Scioto bottoms. As the Dr. pertinently remarks, " Mr. Wells tells us how much water, hy- grometric and combined, the soils contain, and the amount of waxy and resinous matter ; but we learn nothing of the quantity of nitrogenous elements that may be present in any form" — a serious omission, which can only be palliated by the fact of the utter inutility of soil-analyses ! I confess that my faith was a little shaken in Mr. Wells' solution of the causes of the lasting fertility of the soil of the Eee Eee bottom, which he ascribes to the "fineness of the mineral particles, and to the amount and condition of their original organic mat- ter." It appeared to me that their enduring fertility was due, in part at least, to the large quantity of animal fteces and ligneous matter annually left on and turned into the soil. The large stalks of the Dent corn, being inedible, are rarely removed from the field. After the largest ears are plucked and carted out of the field, cattle and hogs are turned in ; the hogs glean the nubbins, and the cattle break down the tall and ponderous stalks to devour their leaves. I have seen several plows driven at one time in a large field on a Miimii bottom, in the month of April, and the field appeared, in the dis- tance, to be thickly strewn with monstrous corn stalks. These, after being plowed in, must, on decomposition, give to the soil that absorptive power which no mechanical condition of the min- eral particles could alone give, beside sup] living it with that ammonia and carbonic acid which the atmosphere does not supply for a maximum crop. Monetary Panic and Kevulsion. — Two years ago, in the fastest and largest city of the western lakes, a resident of some pretensions was heard to boast that said city was "bound to rival New York." His prediction, then laughed at, is already verified, and that great town now beats New York in ht^r career of depreciated currency, in the collapse of business, fall in rents and the prices of real estate, and aU the other iUs that such a city might be sup- posed to be heir to, when the great bubble of the credit system had exploded ! But the city of New York, and every other commercial or manufacturing town, is benefited by the revulsion. It is the only panacea for the inflated state of our banking, rail- road, and commercial systems, and the consequent moral corruption and the diseased effeminacy of tlie domestic circle ! Self-denial, retrenchment, and re- form, never take place in times of monetary inflation and ostensible pecuniary prosperity; like "patience, they are ' plants of a bitter growth,' but they bear a sweet fi-uit." The Troubles of another Great Western City. — From the new cities of the Upper Mississippi Val- ley, we continue to hear the most stirring accounts of the revulsion in the times, the poverty and insol- vency of the outside country, and the total absence of the circulating medium, with the exception of a meagre issue of new but irresponsible paper promises. Even that boasting young city near the head of the valley, whose name stands as a ]>arody on that of the great apostle to the Gentiles, boasts now only of its own infirmities — a late but precious moral experience! But, to show up one of the most crying evils that the late monetary expansion has brought in, I AviU merely advert to a few of the details of a printed report, I have just received, of a committee appointed by the tax-payers C)f Milwau- kee, to ferret out the extent of official profligacy and covert doings of the mimicipal governors of that city. It appears, on the Mayor's own showing, that he 'has received but $101,763.07 as the net proceeds of sales of $220,000 of the city bonds. Other bonds were issued, from day to day, some of them not even countersigned by either the treasurer or comptroller, and for " the most ordinary objects of expenditure." When money costs so great a sacrifice of promises to pay, one would have thought that the city fathers would have been the more economical of its use ; but the reverse was the case. A site for an engine house was bought fur $10,000, and a new engine for $2,500. Five thousand dol- lars were voted by them to purchase school furni- ture, chandeliers and other decorations, whUe the old furniture was almost thrown away. Seven thousand dollars Avere paid for bridge repaii's alone, and the Alderman who was chairman of the bridge committee made out the contractor's bill himself^ and certified the same ; thus assuming the anoma- lous office of creditor and auditor! It is also asserted, in the report, that the contract for paving a street where an Alderman resided and held real estate, was made at fifty cents the yard ; while, in the streets of tax-payers, contracts were given at $1.70 per yard. But these are only a lew of the- items continued in a report of sixteen pages. ThC' total amount of the city tax is $088,408.28 — more than twice as large, says the report, as the whole State tax of Wisconsin! The salaries of Mayor, city officers, and Aldermen, with the wages of their subordinates, alone amount to $70,000 — nearly seven-eighths tlie amount of the xchole tax of Detroit^ a city of more real wealth and a larger population ! It is said that no city on the face of the globe was ever so heavily taxed, Sacramento in golden Cali- fornia not excepted. But the astounding disclosures made by the committee, have induced the Legislature of Wisconsin to suspend the collection of the tax until June next, and to grant an injunction to stop the sale of city bonds by the present municipahty. Tlie present st^ate of collapsed trade all over the Union, is proof tliat the ultimate point of folly and recklessness in the aftairs of men, has been reached, and that a certain return to a sound and healthy state is now in progress. Ticks on Sheep. — Had I not seen the name of John Johnston at the end of a communication with the above title, in the last Farmer^ I should have passed it without reading; but as the canny Scot never fails to be both interesting and instructive, I read on until I found that Mr. J.'s great specific TA 1 u Jii'UE^ ES"£E'~FSR¥ER. for sheep ticks is food and shelter, so as to make the sheep comfortable to thefnselves and pi'ofitable to their master. Methitiks no farmer, after reading Mr. Johxston's pertinent remarks, will be so lost to shame and ridicule as to iu(iiure in print, over his own name, " what is the best remedy against sheep ticks." Here, also, Mr. J. details at length his man- agement of sheep and lambs; how he buys lean ones in the fall, and sells them fat in the sprmg at from $7.25 to $8.00 each. The manure made by the same animals reveals a part of the secret why Mr. J. grows large crops of white wheat, while almost every other farmer gets only a small crop of the poor Mediterranean variety. WHAT SHALL WE PLANT1 At this time, to many farmers in "Western JNew York and elsewhere this is a perplexing question. Nearly everything in the way of crops ha^ become uncertain and unsettled, by reason of depreciation in the market value, or tlie uncertain yield of some, and the very material injury to the wheat crop by the ravages of the weevil. I think it is safe to predict that wheat will not prove a certain or protitable crop for some years to come, wherever the weevd has made its appear- ance, as there is no reason to suppose its stay will be brief As long as the wheat crop furnishes annual food for the swarms of ihsects of this family, so long may farmers expect to be visited by them. I doubt not they may be less severe some years, or in some particular locality, than in others ; but that they will continue to prey upon the wheat crop, seems a fixed fact. And, what is worse, they con- tinue, like the "star of empire," to travel westward. Passing through New York and Canada, the fiirm- ers of Ohio, Michigan, and other western wheat- raising States, may prepare for their destructive visits. Many years may intervene before these dis- tant points may be reached, but it is the part of wisdom to apprehend and prepare for the scourge, •that it may be measurably averted. I do not now •propose to otfer any suggestions upon the destruc- tion or dispersion of the weevil. One thing is certain: wherever the weevil has fairly made its appearance, it will not be advantageous to sow wheat as a main crop. This has been done too long already. It has been one of the vital errors of American farming, as I view it, that they have in the ditterent localities made some one crop a specialty, to the almost entire exclusion of every other. As a natural consequence, whenever that crop has either failed from any cause or has not commanded the expected price, the fermer has for that year found his expectations far from being realized ; and probably the result has been, leaving Mm with no surplus, if not really in debt. This has been, and will continue to be, the result where the main busmess of the farm has been devoted to growing only one crop, whether it be wheat, corn, beans, stock, or the dairy business. The first and most rational answer, therefore, to the question with which I began, would be, "Plant & diversified crop." While it may be sound com- mon sense, and good farming economy, to devote a large part of the land under tillage to some one crop, common prudence and a cursory knowledge of tlie Laws of demand and supply will strongly nrge tie necessity of planting different fields to dif- ferent crops, that if one fails or does not command the requisite price, another may, and thus enable the husbandman to reap a fair reward for his toil. Agricultural chemists and editors assert that a crop of wlieat, or any otlier crop, takes from the soil in which it is grown certain elements— constituents of the growing and perfected grain; but tliat differ- ent crops— as corn, clover, barley, millet, and othera — take up different py'oportions of these constitu- ents. It would seein, therefore, to be a matter of necessity, having in view the good of the land, that every farmer should pursue a mixed husliandry; and as a consequence, plant or sow i)i rotation- by some regular course, as to let clover follow wheat, corn after clover, and barley or some root crop after corn, to be succeeded again by wheat and clover or grass, and then to meadow and pasture. I do not propose to indicate a course, but only the good sound sense of a rotation and some reasons why it should be pursued. I have no doubt that the dilemma in which too many farmers now find themselves — poor crops and nothing to sell — would have been more than half averted at the outset, had it been their practic-e t« diversify their crops so as to have enabled them to realize a profit on one if the others failed. There is too much risk — too much at stake — to jeopard the use of the farm and the expense of its cultiva- tion upon the success or failure of a single grain crop ; and, sooner or later, those who do this will experience the bitter fruits thereof, as thousands in Western New York are now doing. In the best farming districts of Europe, where the land is under rental, experience has taught the necessity, as it has shown the wisdom, of a four or six course system ; not only as it regards the annual profits of the farm, but also as the more surely pre- serving and indeed improving the fertility and con- sequent productiveness of the soil. It is essentially an improved system of agriculture, and one to which the wheat-groAvers of Ncav York, as well as the corn-producers of the great West, can not too soon adopt. Of this, more at length hereafter. MOKE "NOTIONS" ON FODDERING. Editors Genesee Faemee: — Since I communi- cated my "Notions" for the February number, we have had some "snug winter weather," just such as makes it a pleasure to feed cattle and slieep, just to see them eat. They are not so particular, in such weather, about what or when; just give them fod- der, and they are ready to pick it up. The oat chaff and bean straw are about gone. I have not given any of the latter to the old sheep for some time. They have not done quite as well, and I was "calculating" what to do about it, when the Farmer came, with John Johnston's ideas on sheep-keeping. I read that, and began with a peck of oats per day (to forty sheep), to help them on a little. "Seems as though" I could not afford to increase to more than half a bushel ; but that will do them some good, with what hay they can eat. My lambs are doing well, and I mean to keep them in growing order — even if they must have grain once a day — as much as the old sheep. I had rather have, for sheep-feeding, a ton of good bean straw — espe- cially if not threshed entirely clean — than the best ton of hay that was cut last season. j. n. b. THE GENESEE FARMER. 19 A FEW WORDS ON MANUEES. Feikxd Harris: — Several weeks since, I received a copy of your Rural Annual. Of lute, I have been much from home, and liave not found time to acknowledge the receipt of it, and to thank you for your kindness, till this late period. I beg you will excuse the seejiiing neglect, for I assure you it has not been intentional. With much satisfaction I have perused the first article in tlie Rural Annual^ on "Manures for tlie Orchard and Garden." The subject of manures is one of great interest to farmers everywhere, and more especially to those of New England. Our soils originally were not generally of tirst-rate qual- ity, especially when compared with the new and fertile lands of the great AVest. The long time our soils have been under cultivation, (and that mostly on the "skinning system,") has pretty much used up the plant-food which nature had kuidly stored in them ; so that now, on these old lands, the farmer gets but small returns in produce for his labor, unless he aj>plies heavy dressings of manure in the course of rotation. But the great difficulty with most of our farmers is, to obtain enough annually, for but a very few acres. This deficiency of manure, we think, is more for want of proper refiection, and lack of knowledge in this |>articular part of farm- ing, than for lack of means within the reach of most tillers of the soil. There is abundance of materials within the reach of most farmers. Most of them, however, need composting (before applied to the land) with animal manures; but the composting serves a three-fold purpose: First, it neutralizes the acids in the de- caying vegetable matters; second, it retains the valuable gases eliminated from the decomposing uianure; third, it absorbs and saves for use the m'ine of the cattle, the most valuable portion. AVe will here enumerate a few of the materials within "hailing distance" of most farmers. There are the leaves and leaf-mold of the wood-lot, (we put these down as No. 1, being the result of our own experi- ence,) swamp muck, wash of the road, turf on the roadside, earth under the wood-shed and other buildings (rich in nitre). Then there are the liquid manures from the house, bones, and the trimmings of vegetables, etc., cleanings from tlie vault, ashes, weeds from the garden and fields before the ripen- ing of the seeds, refuse wool from the carding machines and woolen manufactories. Horn jjitlis, lime, tleshiugs, hair, and leather shavings, from the tanneries, can often be obtained at a trifling cost. Beside all these, there are various other articles, "too numerous to mention," that farmers can obtain toward increasing their croi)S and enriching their fields; and we are happy to say, that some few, at least, of the enterprising farmers in nearly all our towns, are awake to their interests in this matter, and prosper accordingly; while, on the other hand, in our rambles about the countrj', we are often pained in witnessing the wasteful manner in which hundreds of farmers manage the winter- made manure of their farm stock. The manure is thrown out of the hovel doors or Avindows, and exposed to all the washings of rains and melting snows, for mcjnths together. The li(|uid po*-tion is generally lost by draining through the cracks of a leaky floor. Most farmers of this class never think of looking beyond the limits of their barn-yards for materials for enriching their fields; and they usually complain of high taxes, short crops, and hard times; and if they do not think forming a poor business, their sons generally do, and they flee from tlie farm as they would from a "wrecked steamer," and leave the "old folks at home," to get along as best they may. However, we trust a better time is coming, when both the science and practice of farming will be better understood, than at the present day. The agricultural press of our country is doing much, very much, to bring about a better state of tilings. In plowman's phrase, "God speed the good work." Warner, N. II. LEVI BARTLETT. SHEEP ON THE PEAERIES. Editors Genesee Farmer: — In the fall of 18.55, I bought seven sheep — six ewes and one buck, the buck a half-breed Merino; wintered them on prairie grass and clover, about half and half; stabled them at night; had eight lambs the next spring; and sheared 28 lbs. of wool. During the summer of 1856, I pastured them on clover and prairie, they choosing for themselves, and staying about two hours each day in the clover, the balance of the. time running on the prairie and in the woods pas- ture. I killed three lambs, during the summer, and got from each lamb a six-quart pan full of tallow. They were wintered as before, except giving a few oats every day, with bean and buckwheat straw occasionally. Last spring, each ewe had a lamb, and the sheep averaged five pounds of wool. This winter, I am keeping twenty head, and feed- ing in a rack (slieltered) copied from the Genesee Farmer^ with bean straw, prairie hay, oats in sheaf and a few- beans each day. I give them good shel- ter at night, with the privilege of shelter during the day, if they desire it. Sheep of the same flock, wintered last season with- out shelter, only gave two pounds of wool each, — that is, those that survived — for many were fruzen. My sheep have, at all times, winter and summer, free access to good spring water, both iron and lime. They will not drink creek water as long as spring water can be had. Salt they get at will. 1 have never had one sick, though I have lost a few from being kicked by my horses, c. brackett. Eoc?uiHtei; Fnltcyn Co, 7;k?., 1S5S. Butter Making. — Some of your readers mav not be aware tliat it is a great improvement to scald milk, after the grass is covered Avith snow. If tliis plan is followed, the butter will come quicker and better. As for coloring butter, a good way is tc^ take say two common-sized carrots to six or eight pounds of butter, wash and pare them nicely, and grate them into a quart of milk. Let this stand over night, and, in the morning, before churninL^ strain it into the churn. J. 0. Dawes. — Le Rayti- ville, Bradford Co.., Pa. Cure for the Ague. — A gentleman recentlv from Central America — a great place for the shakes informs us that he has seen many obstinate cases cured by wearing finely pulverized rock salt be- tween the feet and stockings. We can not vouch for the value of this remedy, but consider it worthy of trial. G. — Plain Farm., III. 80 THE GEKESEE FARMER. LIGHT AND HEAVY SOILS COMPARED. Light sandy loams are generally regarded, by those who are but little acquainted with them, as rather improfitable for the husbandman. I have had considerable experience in the cultivation of this class of soils, and also of the heavier, clayey loams, and I am quite decided in my preference of the former to the latter.* Light soils are probably not as rich in the ele- ments of vegetation as heavy ones, but this defect is nearly counterbalanced by the free absorption from the atmosphere of the organic elements of vegetation. A light soil is ready for cultivation as soon as the frost is out of the ground in the spring ; you are not obliged to wait long for the heaviest rains to soak away before you can resume its cul- ture ;, and the most protracted drouths do not sto]) the plow. Light soils are less affected by those extremes of wet and drouth to which our climate has become so subject. They part with their moisture more readily by evaporation, and are therefore more affected by a few days of drying weather; but when the drouth becomes protracted, a reaction takes place. Moisture ascends, by capil- lary attraction, from a great depth ; and the mellow surface permits tlie vapor-laden atmosphere to pen- etrate to the cooler soil surrounding the roots of plants, where it is condensed into dew. In conse- quence, there is a revival of vegetation on light soils, in a drouth, just as it begins to yield to its influence on heavy soils. In those very dry seasons which have recently occurred, the only good crops of corn and potatoes (crops requiring nearly the whole season to develop and mature) which I observed, were on light land. The fertility of light soils is more easily exhausted than of heavy; but then they are more easily resus- citated by manuring, or by growing red clover to be plowed under for manure. The expense of cultivating a mellow soil is much less tlian of a compact one. The annual Avcar of teams, implements, etc., is no small item in the cost of working a tarm containing a stiff, compact soil, to say nothing of the greater ease and pleasure with which one tills a friable, yielding soU. Root crops are much less liable to decay, and are dryer, more mealy, and substantially grown, upon a dry light soil, than when grown upon the opposi*-e class. No one knows the real luxury of a dry, mealy potato, who is obliged to rely upon heavy land for the production of that esculent. On t!ie other hand, with everything fuvorable, larger crops of grain and grass are produced ui)on heavy than upon light sod. For grazing ])urposes, heavy land is generally more reliable than light; but in case of a severe and protracted drouth, they are liable to an entire failure. They heave in frosty weather, bake in dry, and are flooded, suifocating growing vegetation, in rainy weatlier. In view of these considerations, if my choice was limited to one of these two extreme classes of soils, I should choose a hght in preference to a heavy one. The texture of the soils we cultivate, has not received the attention from agricidturista which its importance demands. Uow to render liglit soils more retentive, and heavy soils lighter, is iuforma- ition whieli farmers very much need. Xmt: rulmyra, Jan'y, 1858. _ P. C. KEYN0LD8. LARGE AND SMALL POTATOES. Editors Genesee Fakmee: — You are undoubt- edly aware that a difference of opinion exists as to the proper size of potatoes for seed ; also, as to the amount of seed to each hill. As I was with those who believe that large potatoes will produce a gi'eater amount and larger potatoes than small ones, I resolved to test the matter. The result showed a slight dift'erence in size in favor of the large potatoes, but not as much as I expected. I think I shall test this matter more fully at some future time ; if so, perhaps you may hear from me again, on this sub- ject. But I will proceed to give you the fignres as far as tested. The rows were eighteen feet long and three feet apart, six rows beuig planted. The foUojving table shows the result : Eow. Description of Seed. Pieces in bill. Eyes in apiece. Prodnrt Id lbs. 1 ] [ 2 2 25 2 - Long Pinkeye, Tcry large, ■ 1 2 16% 3 1 1 15 4 1 f 2 2 14>tf 5 1 Long Pinkeye, size very ' 1 small bulk' mat, j 1 2 12 6 J I 3 2 17>i I also planted a row, the same lengtli as above, with large I-Jound l^inkeyes, putting two pieces witii two eyes each in a hill, which produced 30 lbs. The Long Pinkeye will not produce as much as some other varieties; and you will perceive that tlie row of Round Pinkeyes produced 11 lbs. over thd Long variety, under the same circumstances. Caledonia, iV. Y. D. LEATIIEESEICH. Eaelt Potatoes. — For early potatoes, a corres- pondent of the Oldo Valley Farmer says: "My method is to hang up my early varieties in a basket near the stove, about the first of April or earlier, and keep them near a summer heat, and plant about the 10th of May, or as soon as the ground is warm enough to let them grow, taking care not to break ott' the sets." I have not the least doubt that they may be forwarded in that manner, to good advan- tage ; yet 1 think the kitchen-maid would not be very well pleased with the plan of hanging a basket or baskets, containing two or three bushels of pota- toes, or even one bushel, around the cooking stove, for from four to six weeks, when they may be started in the cellar nearly as well, if not as early by only a few days. D. — Gates. Test toue Seed Coen. — As there is considerable danger of poor seed corn, this spring, I would call the attention of every farmer to the foot, and advise testing it in time, so that, should it fail, rehable seed may be obtained. It may be done by placing a small (piantity of shelled corn in a basin, or any other vessel, and pouring warm water on it in the same manner as for soaking previous to ])lanting. Bear in mind, it must be kept in a warm place during the process. D. — Gates. The substantial pros])erity of a country is always in the ratio of its agricultural industry and wealth. THE GENESEE FAPwMER. 81. AGSICULTUKE IN WESTERN VIRGINIA. Editors Genesee Faemeb : — T am aware that yoii take much interest in everything relative to an improved system of agriculture, and my particular object in addressing you is to give you an idea of what can be done in Western Virginia, by a judi- dous system of tUlage. But it may not be amiss to state that while the eastern portion of our State has been worn out and impoverished by the plan of farming a large area and reaping a light crop, barely sufficient to support its tenantry, this region of the State has been overlooked until within a few years past. Since the completion of our railroads and tui'upikes, the development of its agricultural resources lias been very rapid. It has aroused an energy and a spirit of emulation in our farmers, that has produced a marked improvement; and we need but two things to make this section of Virginia one of the most desirable and pleasant portions of our Union, which are these : a general circulation of the Genesee Farmer^ and a colony of scientific and prac- tical Yankee farmers. We have already had a few enterprising nurserymen, who have brought us some very choice fruit. In this locality, the "peculiar institution " need not be an objection to a residence in our midst, even with those most opposed to it. 'This county lies in the Valley of the Monongahela river, the soil of which is rich and productive, rather uneven, but its hills are underlaid with heavy strata of very fine bituminous coal, and lime-stone in great abundance, of superior quality. But my communi- cation is becoming too much in extenso^ and I will proceed to give you the result obtained by Mr. CuAPMAX Jonx of this vicinity, a gentleman of much respectability, and a practical farmer. He raised, the past season, ou twenty-eight acres of land, the following: 400 bushels Cnrn, forty cents per bushel $1 60.00 86 " Wheat one dollar per bushel SG.OO 21 tons of Ilay, six dollars per ton 126.00 100 busliols Apples, twenty-live cents per bushel.. '2.5.00 50 bushels Oats, twenty-flve cents per bushel 12.50 Corn, FofUler, &c 50.00 One lot of Hogs 50.00 P;isturag:e for three cows and one horse .30.00 One lot calves 20.00 Butter, and Vegetable garden 40.00 .$599.50 He has been in possession of this "patch" but one year, previous to which it had not been very skillfully managed by its former proprietors. I am just informed that another tanner in this county, (Mr. SnuLxz,) who has ati'orded some of the "old fogies" some amusement by his disposition to save and apply fertilizers, has raised, the past season, 368 bushels of very fine white wheat on a field con- taining eight acres — averaging 46 bushels per acre. The cro]) of jjotatoes in this region was very abund- ant and free from rot, and indeed our garners are full to overflowing. ir. m. g. Morgautowyi, Jfonongalia Co., Va., Dec. Isi, 1S57. Fob Sod Crop — or first after breaking — try millet. It is equal to many varieties of grass for fodder, and grows luxuriantly sowed as late as July. G.— Oat_ West, Jan'y, 1858. A RECENT traveler in China says, the Chinese farm- ers, instead of applying manure to the soil, scatter dry pulverized poucli-ette ou the leaves of the plants. CALIFORNIA QUAIL. Since the settlement of California by our country- men, quite a large number of these bh-ds, of which our figure at the head of this article is a fair repre- sentation, have been brought east. Last Jime I re- ceived from my son, who resides in San Francisco, a pair of these beautiful little birds, the only ones out of eight, that survived the passage. The female died about six weeks after they arrived here. In November last I received another pair, out of twelve that were sent from San Francisco. As the last pair were reared in confinement, I am in hopes of being enabled to raise a brood or two the coming season. The manners and habits of the California quail are similar to our birds, which formerly were quite plenty in this State; but now very scarce, and nearly extinct. Description. — The general color of the upper part of the body and wing^ in the California quail is of a du.sky brown, assummg a leaden or slatey tinge ou the tail and on the fore part of the breast, upon which it advances in the form of a broad band. The fore part of the head is of a mixed ashy grey, and the hinder part blackish brown. The head of the male is adorned with two small black plume-like feathers bending gracefully forward. The throat is black with a small streak of white running down the sides of the neck and encircling the same. The feathers at the back of the neck are small and trian- gular, of a. slatey hue,with a narrow black margin and Avhite tip. The female has but a little crest, and the general tone of the coloring is browner and more obscure. The figure is plump and stout; length about nine inches. Their fiight is heavy and strong, with tlie same buzzing sound of our quail, when ri.-^ing on the wing. They are hardy and stand our elimate the coldest of winters — even the last severe winter. There is not the least doubt but they would breed in this climate in a wild state. Their food consists of wheat, oats, buckwheat, grass, and canary seeds. o. x. bement. Springside, Poughkeepsie, FeVy, 1858. The best remedy for scours in Sheep, is milk thickened with wheaten flour. 82 THE GENESEE FAEMER. IIIANAGEMENT OF DAERY COWS. Eds. Gknesee Fakmek: — Much has been written upon this subject, and many rules have been laid down for the winter management of ditferent kinds of stock; and as cows are among the most profit- able stock we have, they should receive a due share of attention. As cows are generally kept for profit, they should be well cared for at all seasons of the year, for the ])rofit depends principally upon their management. Keep no more than can be kept well; for a few cows well fed are better than a greater number half- cared for and half-milked. They should be stabled through the winter, if possible, and be properly fed at all seasons. They should be salted regularly, the year round. Twice a week, I think, is enough in the summer. Milking is of great importance, and should be conducted regularly, and by the same hands, and as quickly and still as possible. Many tarmers in this section have a very bad practice of letting their cows lie in the yard over night, after milking. It is very injurious to milk cows too late in the winter. At least two months should be allowed before coming in. Toward spring, they should have a little meal or bran every day, but avoid giving any- thing that lias a tendency to increase tlieir milk, before they come in. Mr. A. J. Tatloe, of Wyomiug Co., X. Y., speaks very lightly of fastening cows to upright stakes, as he calls them, and crowding them too thickly to- gether; but, notwithstanding all the improved styles of fastening, most of the New England dairymen have again resorted to the old-fasliioned way of securuig to stanchions, Mr. T. says, a stable thirty feet long wiU make nine stalls. Now, allow me to .say thafthis is as thick as I ever sa\v them, in any form. J. o. DAWES. Le RaysviUe, Bradford Co., Pa. Pigs should be kept cleax. — The pig certainly in hot weather will search out and enjoy any dirty and wet hole, but he is nevertheless a' very cleanly animal, and always thrives fastest on clean straw in a clean sty; he seldom, except liy accident, leaves any droppings of his excrement in his sleeping apart- ment, and his sense of smell is so acute that he has actually been trained to scent game. §mmt $mm |ri^c O^ssai)! AGEICULTUKAL PAPERS. " On the propriety of farmers supportinsr none but purely agri- cultural papers, as sucJv; and ia their publication monthly often enough ? " As I understand the above, the question is wheth- er farmers should or should not support newspapers devoted exclusively to agriculture, in preference to t'lose of a miscellaneous character. Tliat farmers need information on many other subjects than agri- culture, is beyond question. They need religious in- formation as much as others, and they should know gomething of politics, and they have also a veiy land- able curiosity to learn the general news of the day. How then are they to get the information they need in the best and most eeonomical manner? In the early settlement of a country, when the population is sparse, it often becomes necessary for one man to turn his hand to various occupations. The blacksmith's and shoemaker's are the most im- portant trq,des, and the first to be procured and pat- ronized. The former will mend brass kettles and gun-locks, and the latter harnesses and bellows, be- sides doing the regular business of their trades; and although such men are indispensible in their spheres, we do not exjiect great perfection in their workman- ship. If the country prospers and goes ahead, the coppersmith, gunsmith, and harnessmaker come in, and all mechanics become more perfect in their work and learn to do it in a more economical manner. It is an admitted principle in political economy, that the more labor is divided the better and cheap- er it is performed ; consequently the manner in which labor is chvided in any country is a pretty good in- dex to the prosperity, intelligence, and refinement of its people. Fifty years ago we had no agricultu- ral papers, and few if any religious. Our journals then partook more or less of the commercial, politi- cal, religious, and agricultural characters. As we have advanced in civilization and refinement the wants of the reading people could not be met with- out a division of labor in this department, and we now have separate newspapers devoted to all the trades, professions, and occupations, and who will say that this division has not contributed to our progress? Take one of the newspapers of even thirty years ago and comj^are' its articles on agriculture Avith, for instance, the editorials of the Genesee Far- mer of the past year, and you will find abundant evidence of progress. We have, to be sure, many valuable articles on agriculture in journals devoted mainly to other professions, but they are invariably credited to agricultural papers. If there is any one subject which more than any other requires the un- divided energies, mind and attention of a conductor of its journal, that subject is agriculture. The world is just awakening to the flxct that more science and intelligence is necessary in this department than in any othei', and one of the great reasons is that it is incapable of that division of labor which tends so much to advancement in the mechanic arts. We have journals of law, of health, of medicine, and of mechanics. We have miners' journals, farmers' jour- nals, railroad journals, vetrinary journals, and gar- diners' journals — ^iournals hydropathic, homeopath- ic, phrenologic, scientific, and spiritual — and if a man wishes to turn his attention to any particular branch of industry he can make his selection and pay only for what he wants. Surely these journals can be, must be, and are better conducted tlian are the same departments in those which have with agriculture a little of politits, love-tales, casualties, shocking acci- dents and dreadful tragedies, Avith a sprinkling of conundrums, rebuses, and enigmas. By this division of labor newspapers have become very much reduc- ed in ])rice, while at the same time the ability of tlie reading community to pay for them lias been doubled if not quadrupled, and on the farmer's read- ing table instead of the weekly miscellany, which perhaps went the round of the neighborhood, we see the quarterly review, the monthly magazine, the weekly, semi-weekly and perhaps the daily journal. These dailies, semi-weeklies and weekhes, although they perhaps answer well the purposes for which they were intended, must still be got up in somewhat THE GENESEE FARMER. 83 of a hurry, and are liable to many blunders and mis- haps, and when received by the subscriber are often laid aside for the moment and never resumed till wanted to wrap up a bundle. In fact they are of httle value for future reference. The monthly jour- nals are got up with more care, in less hurry, are less liable to errors and oversights, are in a more convenient form, the subject matter more condensed, contain more grain and less chatF, are more thor- oughly read and better understood, contain more useful matter for futui-e reference, seldom condemn- ed to the rubbish heap, but are laid up in the library and read perhaps by the next generation. They take the place among newspapers, of standard works among books. If you want more reading matter on the same subject you can take more papers ; there are many (but not too many) in the country, and you can get two, three, and often four monthlies for tlie price of one weekly, and you then have the opinions of different authors on the same subject, w^hich if there be truth in. the old adage that "two heads are better than one" is a decided advantage. Gorham, Oni. Co., N'. Y., Jan^y, 135S. Muck is a valuable fertilizer and should not be al- lowed to remain unused as it is in many cases when the adjoining fields might be so much benefitted by its use. E- B. Pharsalia, iV. T., Jan^y, 1858. MUCK APPLIED UNMIXED3T0 THE SOU. Having quite a bed of muck in my possession and knowing its value as a fertilizer when rightly appli- ed, I have taken some pains to ascertain the best method of using it so as to obtain the greatest benefit. I have used it with manure and other refuse of the fann, but my greatest use has been in applying it unmixed to the soil. Winter or a dry time in summer is the proper time to remove the muck from the swamp. It should be piled in large heaps when removed to protect from sun and rain. In autumn draw and spread the muck upon the land that is soon to be plowed, for the muck should not remain spread upon the surface any length of time as it proves an injury to it by allowing the gasses to escape. If the muck is removed from the swamp in winter, it would be best to apply in the spring to land be- fore plowing. Spread on green sward and turned under it makes an excellent face fur corn with two harrowings, but should not be cross-plowed. Spread on in the spring on old ground and well plowed un- der, it is quite equal to stable dung for potatoes ; or at least I could perceive no difierence on ground pre- pared alike — half manured with stable dung and half with swamp muck. It leaves the ground in ex- cellent order for seeding, being free from weeds. It is not quite equal to stable dung for top-dressing meadows, or at least I have not found it so. Almost every farmer knows the value of muck apj)lied to the manure heap as an absorbent, but few make a practice of using it alone. I consider it as cheaper applied unmixed and nearly as good ; but com and potatoes appear to be benefitted moi^ by it than any crop on which I have applied it. It gives good satisfaction applied to the garden ; but I have always applied stable dung well rotted the same season, so I am unable to speak definitely in regard to tlie muck. Where I have used it unmixed with manure and no manure was applied to the land, I consider the grass-crop as good as other pieces in the same field that were manured with stable-dung — the treatment in both cases being the same. ADVANTAGES OF PREPARING FIEE-WOOD IN THE TALL FOE WmTER'JUSE. Economy should be the motto of every farmer; and in no way can more be saved on one thing than in preparing the winter's wood in the fall. It saves at least one-third of the wood which would be worse than uselessly expended in burning the large amount of water contained in the green wood. Another advantage is in the season. It is so much better and pleasanter in the fall — more convenient getting around in the woods — more comfortable to the choppers who can work and not suffer from cold. After fall work is done, chop, draw and pile your wood in your wood-house, and when the cold snowy days of winter come, there it is dry and nice ready for use; and besides enjoying the cheerful looks and kind words of your wife and children, the comfort- able warmth produced by the sparkling fire and the jdeasing thought that your care and forethought in pro\iding dry wood has robbed old winter of half his terrors, and given you leisure to improve your mind and amuse yourself and family through the dreary, stormy days of winter, will more than repay any extra trouble in preparing the wood. Who will doubt the utility of the fall preparation when they think the matter over carefully — the cold stormy days of winter come ; the neghgent farmer has been engaged on some delayed business until winter is upon him; he has drawn an occasional draft of wood and chopped it at the door to meet immediate w^ants, but he sees now there must be a supply secured ; and when the snow blows and the piercing cold chills liis blood he must away to the wood-pile to keep himself in wood, and when he re- turns to the house he finds it cold and cheerless, his wife cold and cross, the green wood steaming and frying in the stove with no warmth for the shivering family. Can the man who neglects to prepare his winter's wood before it is wanted for use exi)ect to enjoy domestic quiet and comfort — for what wUl disturb the peace of a family quicker and more eftectually than a poor fire? it freezes the pleasant smile and loving nature of the wife and renders her cross and fretful; and who can blame her? Everything goes wrong; nothing can be done in season, and with no comfort when it is done. In fact I am of the opin- ion that the neglect of preparing wood in the fall is the cause of more domestic unhappiness than any tthr 0 e thiar. I do not write this without having experienced its eff cts. I have tried the green W( od experiment to my satisfaction— suffered its disadvantages and losses, but nothing but absolute necessity shall ever compel me to do it again; it is so much more eco- nomical in the amount of wood used, so much better and pleasanter chopping, drawing and piling; so much better for family use; prevents so much hard w^ork in cold weather when the farmer neetis rest and time for the improvement of his mind. The leisure which the fall preparation of wood allows to the firmer is a great advantage. His physical strength is worn and exhausted by the hard 84 THE GEFESEE FARMER. summer's toil; his mind is neglected for want of time to attend to it; but the cold days of winter and the long evenings give the farmer by his fire-side a chance to inform himself of the events of the day and to obtain a knowledge of his profession, so ne- cessary to success. B. B. Fharsalia, N'. T., Jcm''y, 185S. SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME AS A MANURE. From the manner in which agriculture is too gen- erally conducted in our country — taxing the soil to its utmost capacity in the production of grain and forage, in raising stock, and then selling tlie produce without returning to the soil an equivalent in manure for the elements of fertility thus abstracted, among tlie most important of which are the phosphates — superphosphate of lime is now in many places an important fertilizer, and is destined soon to become an almost indispensible agent in renovating partially impoverished soils throughout a large portion of the Eastern States. Lands that have been a long time under cultivation, and the grain and stock raised thereon sold, and no manure used except what is made from the hay and straw, and the small amount of grain fed to working stock, together with lime, often become so drained of the limited amount of phosphates they contain as finally to produce greatly diminished crops. On such soils, and others naturally deficient in phosphates, the application of superphos- phate of lime has an almost magical influence. I have been experimenting a little the last few years in its use, both with what I have bought and with that of my own manufacture. The first appli- cation was to grass. It was sown on the sod in tlie spring of the year. Its effect was soon perceptible, and the grass was much heavier there than on any other part of the field, and continued to be so for two or three years, or until the ground was plowed. The next experiment was with about one ton of my own manufacture, applied to wheat in conjunc- tion with guano, on oats stubble land. As guano with me never produces much effect after the first year, I applied the superphosphate with the view of benefitting the grass after the wheat. The quantity of guano sown was two and one-fourth cwt. per acre, plowed in, and the superphosphate was sown over six and a half acres on the plowed ground, and har- rowed in before drilling the wheat. A little that was left was sown over a patch and marked ; thus giving it a double coat. The wheat on this patch was perceptibly better than that around it. Tlie resifft of this treatment was a very large bulk of straw, but only twenty-three bushels of wheat per acre. It was, however, good; weighing sixty-four pounds per bushel. It produced a strong set of grass, and the last harvest a good crop of hay was cut oft" the ground, estimated by some at two tons per acre. The superpliosphate was made from bones collected in the neighborhood for which I paid fifty cents per cwt. ; ground, and dissolved in sulphuric acid. The bones were coarsely ground, and it took fifty pounds of acid to one hundred pounds of bones, and still left so;ne not dissolved. It was then dried with saw-dust and sown by hand. The acid costs in Philadelphia $62,121- per cwt. It should be applied to the bones in a wooden vessel, such as a half hogs- head, and diluted with two or three times its bulk of water. Superphosphate thus made is much better than what is bought of the manufacturers, who make their article out of burnt bones — if they iiie lones at all — the organic matter being thus all destroyed. The great difficulty in the way of making our own super- phosphate is to get the bones crushed and to get enough of them. The next experiment was in the foil of 1856. I sowed some of the bought article on wheat where the ground had been manured with the outside barn- yard manure, which was -weak and not good for much. The result was no benefit to the wheat, but it caused a fine set of grass which grew so thick the past wet season after the wheat was cut, as to choke out the weeds ; while on the ground that the shed manure had been put, the weeds grew strongly. I also applied it to wheat alone, but with no apparent effect. • Again, in the Spring of the last year, on a part of a grass field that had not been manured Avhen in wheat, I sowed the bought article at the rate of a barrel per acre. The result was one hundred per cent, more grass there than on any other part of the field that had been manured. The last fall I sowed a quantity of my own making on wheat, but of course cannot yet tell the result. My conclusion is, that here both kinds of super- phosphate are always beneficial to grass, and the home made article will raise good wheat. And yet its beneficial effects are not universal. A friend a few miles distant has used it largely with no effect whatever, while others have raised good wheat by using the bought article. The only way for farmers to decide the matter for themselves, is to try a little in a small way first, and act according to the result. Where its good effects are j)lainly seen, it would no doubt pay to sow it on wheat ground before putting in the wheat, even though it has been manured, in order to insure a strong growth of grass. l. Cochranorille, Chester Co., Pa. THE BEST METHOD OF CURING TIMOTHY AND OTHER GRASSES. TiMOTnvjis ripe or ready for cutting when it drops the blooms, and herdsgrass is ripe when its earliest seeds are in the dough state. Cut the grass when there is no dew or rain on them, and as fast as cut shock up in snug shocks six feet at the base and six or seven feet high. Beat and settle them Avith the hay fork and rake them down to make them turn rain. This should all be done so rapidly as not to allow the hay to wilt. Some five or six days after shocking go over the meadow and rmi your hand into the centre of every shock'; most of them will be tound cool and dry and need no further attention. But if you find any of them Avarm turn the shock doA\-n as Ioav as its centre and alloAv it to remain tAvo or three hours, or till perfectly cool, then shock it up as before. When all the warm ones are treat- ed in this manner your hay will need no further at- tention till it is perfectly cured and ready for stack- ing ov hauling to the barn. This method makes as green and sAveet hay as you could desire; and one great advantage is that you can make go^)i] hay in rainy Aveather if you can but get time bet ween show- ers to cut it and shock it up dry, for it Avill cure perfectly though it rain every day. F. h. g» limne, Smith Co., Tenn., Jaii'y, 1858. THE GENESEE FARMER. 85 KECLAHHING AND MANAGEMENT OF BOGGY LAND. SojiK experience and considerable examination of written reports on the subject, teach me that the most effectual and thorough process of rechiira- ing hogs — very wet soils with a vegetation of small bushes and coarse grasses — is, First, To thoroughly drain the laud as it can be done by frequent ditclies, and Second, To cut otF the whole surface of the ground, and, piling it in winrows, let it dry, and then burn the whole to ashes. This method, taking all things into account, is found to be niore economical than that generally practiced, of cutting otf the bogs and brush, and then subduing the coarse vegetation by frequent plowings and harrowings. I have found it exceed- ingly difficult to reclaim the soil from its original products by the latter process. By paring and burning, on the contrary, the coarse materials of the land were at once reduced by fire, and atiorded a much needed amendment in their abundant ashes. The surftice, with slight plowing or thorough harrowing, is at once fitted for the production of abundant crops. The after management is simply to keep the land thoroughly drained^ so that no water stands witliin three feet of the surfiice of the soil ; to deepen the plowing slightly, year aft<3r year ; and to give such manures as the case may require. Lime and ashes will be found beneficial in hastening the decomposi- tion of the muck — for in its original state it was not fitted for the growth of valuable crops. — Another method of reclaiming boggy land is to proceed as before, in First, Thorougldy draining the soil of all stand- ing water. Second, After clearing the surface, to carry on gaud, gravel, or loam, spreading it over the surface to« the depth of two or three inches — perhaps deeper. After allowing the bog to settle awhile, liarrow the ground thoroughly, and sow oats and grass seed. Some apply a dressing of coinposted manure previous to seeding. Tills plan works faborably, if, as before, the land is drained thoroughly. If not, in a few years the coarse wild grass will work up through the covering, and the product will be of little value. "Well drained, the bog settles rapidh-, may be plowed frequently, and will in time become thoroughly subdued and fit for any cultivated crop. u. a. s. BEST SYSTEM OF ROTATION ON A CLAYEY FAEM. FATTENING SHEEP IN .WINTER. The first thing necessary is to have a warm place for them, where they can have free access to water. Feed clover hay three times a day — grain morning and evening, and roots at noon. If you have no roots substitute wheat bran made wet with water. Bran will not aid much in producing fat, but it keeps the digestive organs in good order and prevents stretches which sheep are subject to when kept on dry feed alone. If corn is used alone, be careful not to fe«d too much; I prefer corn and oats mixed. I have had sheep gain twelve pounds |)er month, fed in this way. Feed with regularity, and do not trust too much to hoys and hired help, but see that they get just what they need and no more, which can only be determined by close observation. Lyom, N: F., Jan'y, 185a EZIiA EINGEB. U That system of rotation is best, beyond doubt, which is most profitable in present returns and tends to keep the land in good condition, both in fertility and friableness, -^ The best rotation which I have any knowledge of, is to commence by putting all the manure that can be raised on the farm, in its unfermented state, on the field for Indian corn, the most in the poorer places, and turn it in deeply before freezing ceases. To trench-plow is better. In the spring, harrow early and thoroughly, and plant. Cultivate clean. In the fall, put the ground in good condition and sow wheat., or sow oats next spring, then sow the wheat or oats thickly with clover and timothy. If the field be sown with wheat, the timothy had bet- ter be sown at the time of the sowing of the wheat, as it is less liable to be injured by spring drouth, and the clover should be sown the spring following. This field of clover and timothy should be pastured two years, or mown, as circimistances may direct. The last crop of the second year, if possible, should be reserved to be plowed under. The field should be deeply plowed late in the fall or winter, to be planted to corn the next spring. This course will require four fields ; and when the rotation is foirly attained, there will be one field in corn, one in wheat or wheat and oats, and two in clover. The fields will stand one year in corn, one in wheat or wheat and oats, and two years in clover. Let all the nuxnure that can be spared be hauled, in its unfermented state, upon the clover field in- tended to be plowed, and spread, to be plowed under with the last crop of clover. This course will not only greatly increase the fertility of the soil, but will improve its mechanical condition. The long roots of the clover, extending deeply into the earth, will draw to the surface inor- ganic manure from the subsoil. The roots and tops of the clover and timothy will furnish a large amount of organic manure for the use of the corn, wheat, and oat crops, that are to succeed. The deep plow- ing, the decaying of the manure and the tops and roots of the timothy and clover, the exposing of the plowed land to the influence of freezing and the atmosphere, will have a tendency to pulverize the land easier and better than can be done in any other way. Of course, there are other fields that may be needed, such, for instance, as one for rye, one for meadow, etc. No field should be in permanent pasture that is suitable to plow; far better let it come in the rota- tion of crops. We make permanent pasture of our woodlands, sown to blue grass. Another very good rotation is to sow a field of corn thickly down to rye early in the fall — last of August or first of September. Pasture the rye late in the fall, and until April of the succeeding spring ; then let it grow up until it is ripe. Let it stand until the middle of August — it keeps well; then pasture it on the ground to hogs. This leaves a large amount of straw and manure on the ground, which, with the green rye that Avill come up, may be turned under for corn the next spring. If the land is strong, it will improve under this rotation. But if it be not very good, sow in rye as above, and pasture down ; then plow and harrow the land, and jhere will be a sufficiency of seed to thickly set it a 86 THE GENESEE FARMER. second time. Pasture it down as the first year, and cultivate in corn the tliird year. By following this course, the land will continue to improve year by year. A field may be treated as above to great advantage on a farm. Last spring, gi-een food for stock was very scarce in this country; the fields were very bare until late in the spring. Passing through Shaker Village, (Mercer county, Ky.,) I saw a field of rye three times as tall and more than twice as thick as any I had seen. I asked them how their rye came to be so much better than any I had seen. They told me that was the second year the field had been in rye, and they had plowed and harrowed the land for the second crop, and they designed pasturing it until the 15th of April, after which they would let it grow up. This must have been a very improving crop on clayey land, and very remunerative. Three fields will be required for this rotation. They will stand thus : first year, •corn ; second year, rye ; third year, rye. This will be a very good rotation where a part of the farm is clay. But some say rye does not thrive well on a clayey soil. Let the ground be in good condition, and the rye put in well, and my word for it, it will gi'ow. The large amount of straw left upon the land has a good mechanical effect when turned under, loosening the soil and making it easy to pul- verize. Of course, all the manure should be appHed that can be, and that in its unfermented state. Where circumstances permit, I much prefer the first rotation. For this country, for improving the soil and making it easUy cultivated, I do not believe it can be exceUed, on our clay lands. a. g. m. OheiTur's Store, Ky., Jan'y, 1858. BEST SYSTEM OF ROTATION ON A SANDY FAEM. For such sandy soil as we have on the plains, here in Michigan, where wheat and wool raising go hand in hand, the following rotation I consider "about right:" Divide the farm into six principal lots, reserving land enough for several small lots, for orchard, special pasture, and the raising of root and other fancy crops, which do not enter tho system of rotation. Commencing with clover sod, FiKST Ykak. I-(>t. No. 1. lot No. 2. Pl.int to corn, among which Plow In clover, and sow to sow r)e at the last cultivation, wheat in the fall, and harrow in with a one-horse harrow. Pasture with sheep in fall, both before and after com harvest. While tho rye pasture is good, the sheep will not touch the corn. Second Teak. Seed to clover ; harvest rye. | Seed to clover; harvest wheat. TiiiuD Year. Pasture clover. | Mow clover. The rotation commencing again the fourth year, may be varied, by sowing wheat on No. 1, and planting corn on No. 2, so that wheat will come on llie same lot once in six years only, and the same of corn and rye ; while clover, the great renovator of sandy soils, comes on the same lot every third year. By tliis system we have fields of wheat, rye, corn, clover meadow, clover pasture, rye pasture, and summer fallow, every season. The green rye is excellent pasture in fall and s])ring, when it is death to clover to pasture with siieep. And rye and wheat straw, corn stalks, clover hay, rye and corn meal, and a few roots from one of the small lots, will feed the sheep, team and other necessary stock, during the winter. Apply the manure of the farm to the spring crops, and remember that plaster is as necessary to tho growth of clover, as the clover seed itself. Four Towns, Mich., FeVy, 1858. SOLON COOLET. EXPERIMENTS IN FEEDING CATTLE CUT STRAW AND HAY. TnE first day of last December I purchased fou) cows of the common breed. They had all giver milk seven months or more at the time I purchase*' them, and then, gave only about eight quarts of mill; per day, I began to stable them and cut buckwheat straw for them, which I scalded with water in which f quart of fiax seed had been steeped for four or mori hours. I also put four quarts of buckwheat brai; on the mess at each feed. They were fed this twice each day, morning and evening. At noon they wero fed on cut hay with half allowance of bran, making two and one hah" quarts of bran each cow receive?; per day. They doubled their milk in a very short time, and trebled the cream and butter. I have fed tliem separate. Charged them five dollars per ton for the straw, and seven for the hay ; seventy-five cents per hundred for the bran, and one dollar per bushel for the flax seed, which I purchased at that price. Of course they all fail of their milk now, as they will be new milks in the spring, and one is now nearly dry. I have milked them regularly twice each day. Up to January 23, they had given by measure five hundred and seventy-one quarts of milk, (571); and' from that we have made thirty-eight pounds and nine ounces of butter, besides using a good deal of cream in the family. So the account stands thus : FOUK COWS, DK. To one and a half tons buckwheat straw — 15, $7.50 To one half tons hay — $7 3.50 To one and one- fourth bii. flax seed — $1, 1.25 To 716 pounds bran — $0.75, 5.37 $17.f>2 CB. By 571 quarts milk — 2 ct-s., $11.42 By3S9-16 pounds butter — 18d, T.25— $18.67 Leaving a profit of $1.05 to pay for extra trouble. But that is not all the profit, for by following this course with all my cattle I have made them gain in flesh, and used up the buckwheat straw, whicli hitherto has gone for litter only. I now cut feed for all my cattle, and shall continue the pi'actice. It is a matter of importance to make the cows give milk enough in winter to ])ay for their keeping, and at the same time gain in flesli. Buckwheat bran is one of the best things a cow in milk can be fed. I am building barns and stables in which I can carry on the operation on a large scale with economy, believing it pays fifty per cent, on cost of sheds and time, to stable every hoof of horses and neat cattle, and cut all the feed and grind the grain. I wish other readers of the Farmer would report progress in this matter, as it is a thing but little un- derstood. G. o. 1. Lynn, Siisq. Co., Pa. THE GENESEE FAEMER 87 TKE BEST PLANTS FOR HEDGES — THEER MAN- AGEMENT, &c. Much has been said, of late years, about fencing ; and it is a sulyect in whicli fanners are much inter- ested. The expense, efticienoy, and durability, are the main points to be considered. The great West is not the only place where the inquiry is made, with what material, and how, shall we fence our farms? A great portion of the east is in some degree depiived of what was once a burden — its forests of timber ; hence the nec^ssiiy of a living and permanent fence. The Osage Orange, no doubt, is the best plant for this purpose. The vast amount of this phxnt that has been successfully cultivated in the Western States, is sufficient proof of the asser- tion. A fiu-mer of Peoria c-ount}"-, 111., writes that he has set over tliirty miles of it, within the last four years, and part is now sufficient to turn stock. He could not procure plants enougli last spring, hut purchased seed and planted twenty-five acres. This shows the success and confidence of those that have tried iL The demand is greater tlian the supply. The seed can be planted where the hedge is needed, but requires much care. Many have tried eeed, but failed for want of experience. In order to be successful, the seed (like that of tlie locust) should be sprouted by pouring on hot water, chang- ing it daily. The ground should he well prepared. Plant plenty of seed, and at about the same time you wouid Gorn, If the soil is dry and light, it should be packed to I'etain the moisture. Keep it clean from weeds, with the cultivator and hoe. It is considered the cheapest and safest way to buy the plants of nurserymen. They can be bought tiere for about three dollars per thousand. Let them remain in the grcnmd until spring; or, if taken u]) in the fall, they may be kept in sand or earth witli safety until time to set in the spring. Setting aiid Cultivation. — Set your stakes, and plow deep where you want the fence, both fail and spring, if convenient. A very good way for setting is to stretch a long line, take a basket of plants and a spade, put the spade in the ground, slanting, the length of the blade, and place the plant under the spade as you remove it ; stick the plants about six inches apart, if the ground is dry, and tread on them as you go. Some of them may not start for some time. Cultivate them welL If you have a I'ow of choice corn or potatoes on each side, it will be no disadvantage, but will help you to. remember at. Trimming is of great importance. When eight or ten inches high, cut thein with a scythe within about three inches of the ground, the next time a few inches higher; twice in the course of the sum- mer, as a general thing, is sufficient. After being cut, many sprouts will start from one stock, and make a fence tliat will stop a pig or chicken ; there k nothing that will like to disturb the hard, thorny bush. Four or five years will be sufficient, if well cultivated and trimmed, to make a good fence. The two past winters have been beneficial to some hedges aiul injurious to others. The frost trimmed those that had been neglected, but the next spring they threw up a' thick and vigorous growth. The severest winter will only kill the growth of the previous season. Even if killed after turned out to stock, it will remain permanent for many years. To be prepared for a hard season the first jear after setting, cover with a little straw or coarse manure. Various machines have been in- vented for trimming, which operate successfully. I consider a hedge of great benefit to an orchard or garden, by checking the cold winds. The expense is about fifty cents per rod. Cora- pare this with the expense of a board or rail fence, and the continual repairs. centke. Lee Coimty, IIL, Jan.y, 185S. USE .OF MUCK IN COMPOSTS AND AS LITTER FOR STABLES AND YARDS. I HAVE for some time practiced littering my stables with muck and dirt of all sorts, except sand. It is very beneficial as an absorbent of the liquids and gasses, but it has the objection when used in stables of soon forming mud with the liquid manure, and so requires to be often renewed. I like sawdust better for litter, and mix tlie muck with the manure as it is thrown from the stables. Sawdust keeps the animals much cleaner, and if the stables are cleaned daily, there is but little loss from evaporation before the muck and manure are mixed. An absorbent of some kind must be used if we are going to make headway in fiirming. I believe that in the method common all through the country, of wasting all the liquids and all the gasses that escape before the manure is drawn upon the soil, we lose full one half of all the manure we make. As a consequence our crops are full a third lighter than they would be, and that third is or would be, the profits of the business. Most of us only make ends meet. The out go being as great as the income. But let the wasted manure be saved, which can be done at small cost, and the business will be put on quite another footing. There is not any danger of getting the land too rich. I own a tarm in Illinois. Three years ago the coming spring I had occasion to haul out a large pile of manure, the accumulation of several years, or else move the barn. It Avas put upon a piece of prairie wliich had only been lu-oken a short time, and was already rich. A number of old farzners said it would spoil the land, and the corn would be all stalks, for we put forty loads on the acre. There was fifty acres in the field. The average was forty- five bushels of shelled corn to the acre ; but where the manure was put it was a trifle over eighty bush- els (of sixty pounds), to the acre. 6. o. l. Linn, Susq. Co., Fa, MANAGEMENT OF WOODLAND. If it is desirable to secure a second growth of wood, let the first be cut early in the spring, when the sap flows most freely. Out as near the ground as possible, and the sprouts will be more thrifty and less liable to be broken oft^", as well as take root for themselves more readily. If a second groAvtli is not desirable, cut when the sap does not flow, and very few sprouts will be thrown out from roots or stumps. Cut off the forest clean as you go, and the new growth will have an equal chance, and make hand- somer and better trees. When the full-grown and decaying trees are selected out, the under-growth will be overshadowed by the trees which are left, and the woods will soon become thin and of decreas- ing value. Cattle, sheep, and the fire must be kept out of the woods where undergrowth is desired. Jan'!/, 1858. W. L. M. 88 THE GENESEE FARMEE. WHICH ABE THE BEST HORSES TO WEAK -THOSE FIFTEEN OR SIXTEEN HANDS HIGH? This is a subject on wliicli tliere will doubtless be a frrcat dift'ereuce of opinion, bnt it all depends upon this : at wliat work are they to be used, and how are they to bo fed ? There can be no doul)t tliat for heavy work, such as lieavy teaming, ploughing, and tlielike, where liorses are driven slowly and well fed, that those sixteen hands will wear best, and what is more, give the best satisfaction to their owner ; for who does not like to follow the plough after such a team? But there is a fault in too many of the hor- ses which are bred at the present time — they have the extra hand all in the leg, and the man who knows anything about a horse will give all such ani- mals a wide berth, as they are decidedly the worst to wear that there is to be found. Again if horses are to be sometimes worked hard and at other times driven hard, and what is worse than all, and but too often the case, poorly fed into the bargain, the small liorses, such as the French breed, will stand such treatment better than any other with which I am acquainted. They are hardy, easy to keep, and will stand to be driven on the jump the one hour and draw a heavy load the next. So the man who wants to get horses to wear well liad better first consider how he is to use them and the work they are to perform, and then he can easily judge of the horses that will suit him, e. s. t. Niagara, C. W., Juii'y, 1858. WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF SO MANY TREES SENT OUT BY .NURSERYMEN 1 Vegetables, like animals, can not be removed from good care and high feeding, to want and neglect, without suffering in consequence. Eemove the animal from plenty of grain, grass, or hay, to sterile fields or empty stalls, and compel it to pro- cure its own living, and, if it does not die, it will present but the diseased shadow of its former self; and, if no care is afforded, the animal is lost beyond recovery for profitable purposes. It is the same with the tree. It is raised in rich soil, where it can revel in high living ; the best of care is bestowed upon it ; all the wants of the tree are supplied ; its enemies are driven oft' or destroyed ; and in a few years it is an object of beauty and delight. But the age has arrived when it must be transplanted from its genial soil to lands of the distant farmer or fruit grower. Now come its days of starvation and neglect — a prey to cattle and horses, that destroy its branches and break it to the eartli. And how do a majority of fiirmers, who take the trouble to send to a distance to procure good fruit trees, treat them when they receive them ? Not one in a hun- dred ever thinks of setting them in a cultivated field and giving them the same care he does the rest of his crops ; — not at all. They are placed by the side of fences, in the tough sward of the meadow or pasture, the roots crowded into a hole barely sufficient in size to contain them. Is it any wonder that trees managed in this way do not flourish ? Is it any wonder the fin-nier or owner of such trees is discouraged in trying to raise good fruit, and con- demns at a glance all accounts of largo and delicious fruits and their profit to the cultivator ? When will farmers (I say iarmers, because most %11 the trees sent out by nurserymen are purchased by farmers,) learn that a tree that has been carefaUy cultivated and cared for, can not flourish with such treatment ? Can a fruit tree be expected to thrive without care, any better than any other crop that is raised for use or profit? I have seen, lately, sev- eral young orchards, which the owners procuretl from nurseries in Western New York, at mncli trouble and expense, that are almost a total failure. The trees were set out four or five years ago, and were fine trees then ; but the old way of setting in grass ground was followed, witli no cultivation be- yond setting them; and there they stand now — • not dead, to be sure, but no larger than when they were removed from the nurseiy, and no prospect of their bearing for years to come. The owners of these same trees consider the nursery business as a humbug — something to catch the unwary, and fleece them of tlieir money for what AviU never be of any use to them. Now, to sum up the matter, is it anything bnt a want of care and proper cultivation that causes the failure, in not giving the trees similar treatment to that which they received while growing in the nur- sery ? The trees are of course all treated alike when packed for transportation ; but yet we see the mass of them prove a failure, and but very little good fruit is raised among the farmers. Onco in a while we see a careful, observing man, who obtains trees from nurseries, follow as nearly as he can the mode of culture which the tree for- merly received, cultivates and manures them as he does liis crop of corn or potatoes, and he is rewarded with nice fruit and plenty of it. Is it anything but neglect that causes the failure? e. b. Fharmlia, If. Y., Jan^y, 1S5S. CULTIVATION OF DWAKF PEARS. There is very little to be said, that is new, on the cultivation of the Dwarf Pear; but as in morals and religion, so in horticulture, we need "line upon line and precept upon prei'ept." The true secret of the iHiany failures in the cultivation of the pear upon the quince stock, is the neglect of the informa- tion Avhich those more exi>erienced have from time to time given through the press, and the disregard of those common and more obvious principles of vegetable physiology which e^ery cultivator at thi* day ought to understand. There is really no more difficulty in making a dwarf pear tree grow than there is an apple oi- a peach tree. The appropriate soil and culture is needed in the one case just as mucli as in tlie other. It should be remembered tliat the pear is not dAvarfed for the profit of the thing so much as for ])romoting the early fi-uitfulness of the tree, and for tlie very limited space reijuired for its growth. These are the pi-imary considerations. In some cases, or rather with some varieties, the quality of the fruit is no doubt inqtroved ; but, as a general rule, quite as good fruit njay be got fi-om standard as from dwarf trees. To cidtivate dwai'f poars successfully, the so3 must be rich. It may bo clay, or it may be a light or a strong loam ; but if not already rich, it must be made so. There is no fruit tree tliat will bear so high cultivation as this. The groimd should be ^\(iU prepared before planting, by deep {)]o»ving or dig- ging ; and by deep and thorough draining, if at all wot. The finest and most productive trees that I THE GENESEE EAKMER. 89 have ever seen, were planted upon a rich loam with a stiff clay subsoil, trenched two spades deep, and thorouglily manured with stable manure in the pro- cess of trenching. Tlie roots of the quince do not extend far from the stock — in most cases not more than three or four feet, — but they are exceedingly fibrous, and require a great deal of food, to supply tlie stronger and more luxuriant growth of the ])ear. The trees may be planted eight feet apart. Some plant six or seven feet apart, bat most persons prefer the greater distance. Care should be taken in plant- ing, that the stock as well as the roots of the (luince is covered with earth. The trees should be planted so that the point of union between the pear and quince be at least even with the surface. Deeper planting has the sanction of respectable authority, but I have yet to learn tliat the practice is supported by any experience which will justify its adoption. The trees should be well manured every year. The best manure for this purpose is stable manure, well decomposed; and this should be applied and well mixed witli the earth, late in the fall or early in the spring. I gave my trees, last sjiring, a mulch- ing of stable manure, two years old, about three inches deep over a space of four feet around each tree, and covered that with a mulching of straw. I found the growth and fruitfulness of the trees much increased by it. I have sometimes used a slight dressing of guano, forked into the earth about the roots, with excellent effect. A thick mulching of straw or other light material is almost as impor- tant as manure. It is an error to suppose that a crop of vegetables may be grown between the rows without injury to the trees. It is far better, in my judgment, to give up the ground wholly to the pear trees ; and then, if tlie earth is kept well stirred and free from weeds, by a liberal use of the hoe or the cultivator during the season of growth, a greater profit will be realized. The varieties best adapted to the quince, so fj^r as my observation enaldes me to judge, are, for Summer Pears, the Doyenne cV Ute, Beurre Giffart^ and Brandywine ; for Autumn Pears, the Louise Bonne de Jersey^ Buchesse ring, it should be thinned by cutting or pinching out the smaller and inqierfect fruit, and leaving the rest equally distributed over the tree and ujjon the different branches. Tliis is quite a delicate operation, and lilce pruning, to become perfect in it, recpiires much observation and experience. If too much fruit is left to grow, the sjiecimens will be small and some- times without flavor, and the tree will be stinted and exhausted. The quantity to be left must depend very much upon the age and vigor of the tree. — I have known a bushel and more of fine, large sjieei- mens, grown upon a Duchesse d^ Angotileme and upon a Louise Bonne de Jersey eiglit or ten years old, without injury to the tree; but this I consider ■a large crop. If trees of that age average a half- bushel of perfect fruit, the cultivator ought to be satisfied, x. z. CULTUEE OF GRAPES IN THE OPEN AIR. v TnouGTi not professing to be an adept at Grape growing, but only an amateur, I have been induced to offer myself as a coniftetitor for the paize offered on this subject, thinking that a majority of the readers of the Farmer needed more that information that would teach or induce them to put out, trxiin, and jprnne a few vines for domestic use, than a full and complete system for the management of a vine- yard. And as I am compelled in the stipulation to be brief, I shall only offer a few hints, calculated to induce those who have a home of their own, whether a farm or only a garden, or even a yard, to put out one or more vines, as they have space and means, as a most economical, agreeable, and beautiful manner of occupying a spare nook and corner of the premises. Most of the directions in booKS and journals commence by recommending that the ground, if not dry, be thorouglily drained, a southern or eastern inclination, deeply plowed, spaded, or subsoiled, and liighly manured with this that or the other compost. These seeming requirements at the start, I doubt not have detered thousands from enjoying an economical, delicious, ornamental, and easily raised fruit, liable comparatively to few enemies, maladies, and mishaps. I do not object to the above recom- mendations, as by any means improper, but as far as my experience and observation extend, they are no more applicable to the culture of the Grape, than to that of most other fruits, vegetables, and field crops. I have an Isabella, partially shaded by a building, set in dampish ground, never spaded, plowed or mamn*ed, except by an occasional splash with suds, which grows vigorously, bears well, and is a beautiful spectacle. Some of as fine Isabellas as I ever saw were grown under the same circum- stances as to soil and culture, and tlie vine trained on the north side of a barn, where the sun never saw it after 9 A. M., and I have this day visited a vineyard of 100 Isabella vines on the north side of an old apple orchard, and with the ground descend- ing to the north, the Grapes from which were this season sold in Buffalo at the highest price, in com- petion witli those of the same kind from one of the most pojjular vineyards in "Western New York. Now, I am far from wisliing to encourage care- lessness, slovenliness, or laziness in Horticulture, Agriculture, or anything else. I doubt not that tlie vines mentioned would have paid well for better ground and better culture ; but I would say to all Avho can, put out some vines, give tliem the best place and the best attention you can consistently with your other duties. Tlie recommendations here quoted are good, but don't neglect planting because you can't comply with the whole list. Give them as good care as yon do your corn, potatoes and wheiit, and I am sure you will never regret having planted them. The roots of the Grape run very near the surface, and yon can not dig to mucli depth over them without cutting them ; therefore it is best to fix the ground beforehand, in a manner to keep it perma- nently light. Some say dig a deep, broad hole, and fill in stones, shells, bricks, and bones. This is good as far it goes, and I say put in your old boots and shoes, too ; but don't dig a pit to hold water ; better to dig a hole only big enough for the roots, unless you can drain off the surplus wator.— 90 THE GENESEE FARMER. The vines want something to rnn on; but unless you iu-e rifii anJ hiive other ornamental work to match, don't employ a joiner to make a planed and painted arhor, it is liad taste and poor economy ; the hest trellis for the cost, is i)Osts (J or 7 feet high, witli a narrow board on the top, to keej) the ])()sts in place, and 3 or 4 wires stretched liorizontally below. To jiromote viji;orous growth and early bearing, cut back in the fall or winter the first year's growth to one shoot of about^a foot in length; let two branches grow froin this tlie next year, training them horizontally each way, and pulling oil:' all the laterls. Cut back the next winter accord- ing to the vigor and size ; and the next summer let branches grow perpendicularly, 10 to 18 inches apart^ to the top of the trellis, and then cut them off. This season you may expect a few grapes, and for further instructions for pruning and training, consult the Genesee Farmer^ Hui-al Annual, and conunon sense. Don't pick your grapes before they are ripe, as most " new beginners " do. There are many who have raised a few for years, and know nothing of tlie flavor of a ripe grape. Don't pluck oft' the leaves — that will retard the ripening, and injure the flavor. Nature turns up the broad leaf to the sun, but hides the fruit in the shade behind it. In this respect it differs materially from tree fruit. Do not be afraid of raising a surplus ; they cost you less than almost any other fruit; you can make pies of them while green — jellies, jams, preserves, sauces and wine, when ripe; can dry them in sugar, or by hanging them up by the stems ; or, you can preserve them i)retty fresh for eating till February, by pack- ing (on the stems) dry and cool in cotton or paper. As to the best kinds to raise, go to the Fairs and consult the exhibitors, read books and pjapers, and taste the fi-uit when you can honestly ; but do not rely mainly on the putt's of new varieties sold at fancy prices. As to manures, if the land is in good lieart, I should not nuinure very highly, for I think it promotes the growth of vines rather than fruit. Barn-yard manure and ashes I think are good, especially the latter, and I see no objection to any of the composts recommended. Gorluim, N. l'., JaiCy, 1S58, CULTURE OF ASPAEAGUS. To raise asparagus from seed, sow it? in autumn or early spring, in a good garden soil. '" Take ripe berries and put them in wai-m water; they will soon begin to ferment; then the seed can readily be washed from tlie pulp and dried. (Cucumber seed is most conveniently cleaned in the same way.) Sow in drills an inch deep and ten inches ajjart; cover with mellow earth, and press down lightly. Cultivate fretjuedtly and cleanly, and thiii out the plants to ten inches apart in the drills. The second year select the best plants to form the bed. In situation, the Asparagus bed should be open to the n\orning sun, and protected from the iu>rth and west winds by a low wall or fence, if it mav be conveniently. It nmst not be shaded, as it needs free light and air. It should be rich, this is a necessity of_ tiie plant, if any valuable ]iroduct is desired. Dig up a loamy, porous soil, thirty inches or three feet deep, intermix largely and thoroughly With good stable manure, to vk^ithin six mches of the surface — fill this space with good garden mould. Then set out the young j)lants in rows, two feet apart, and one foot apart in the row. Do this carefully, preserving all the small roots possible. Cover now the whole bed with decomposed muck, or any rich black eartli, about two inches deep, and then sprinkle on salt enough to whiten the surface. This will keep down the weeds, and is needed by tlie Asparagus, which is a native of the sea-side — although a jilant of very different habit, while uncultivated by man. Remove the dead stalks in autumn, and cover the bed three inches deep with stable manure. This will protect the roots in winter, and cause them to start earlier. It should be forked in, in spring, taking care not to injure the plants, and another dressing of salt applied. Cut none, or very few, of the stalks until the third year — the plants will then be well estaUished, and will yield a supply of large good stalks, continuing to do so for years, if manured every fall and spring as above directed. Cut all, or nearly all, the shoots while cutting the bed, and only just below the surface of the ground — only the green par is fit for eating. Sufficient room, both in deptli and breadth, a rich warm soil, and salt enough to keep down the weeds, are necessities of the Asparagus bed. January, 1858. J. II. B. CTTLTIVATION OF THE KHUBAEB. RnuBARB is a hardy perrennial from Asia and Tartary, cultivated for the petioles of tlie root- leaves, which are used for tarts, pies, and sauce. Of late, its cultivation has been rai)idly extending, furnishing, as it does, excellent material for jdes and sauce, at a season when fruit cannot easily be obtained. Any family having a few rods of ground to cultivate, can have an abundant and never- failing supply of this wholesome vegetable, by observing the following directions : Soil. — If possible, select a sandy or gravelly loam. Pkeparatiox. — Trench it three spits deep, on no account neglect to do this. Fill the trench with well-rotted horse manure, thoroughly mixed with the top of the soil. Size of the Plaxtatiox. — Let the number of plants you put out be determined by the size of your family. A bed three feet wide and twenty- five feet long, will abundantly supply a large family. It will admit of a single row, with the larger kinds, at five feet apart, and the smaller kinds at three. • Varieties. — MitehelVs Early Albert. — The earli- est sort cultivated ; of good size, fine flavor, and tender throughout the season. Tobolsk. — This is an early variety, but compared with the larger sorts, is small ; its flavor, however, is excellent. MyaWs Victoria is, perhaps, the most popular variety grown ; it is large, and highly flavored. Our experience is limited to the above varieties. There is a new variety called Cahoori's Mammoth Seedling., M-hich is reputed to grow enormously large; but we are inclined to think that it is not so rich and Iiighly flavored as MyaWs Victoria. You can raise your own plants, if desirable, from the seed ; lint you can have no assurance as to th6 kinds, as seeds will never produce the varieties of the plants from which they are taken. Januart/, ISoS. * F. * le THE GENESEE FARMER. 91 CULTIVATION OF TOMATOES. Haying been very successful in raising tomatoes for market a few years ago, I thouglit myself capa- ble of writing a few useful lines to the novice in tomato culture ; but in attempting to do so I find I have forgotten many of the small matters that cost me much thought, time, practice and labor to learn. As late tomatoes grow freely without much cultiva- tion, I shall confine myself entirely to the extra early crop. For a market crop select your ground lying as warm as possible ; if protected on the north and west by woods so much the better ; and be very careful to choose ground not subject to late frosts, such as dishing ground between hills and high ridges ; such spots often suffer from frost when higher ground escapes. By the month of February cast on the ground a mixture of horse, hog, cow and sheep manure, if you have them, at the rate of ten large two-liorse loads per acre, for your compost heap ; if the ground is open, cart on this the same bulk of rich earth — in this section marl is used. As soon as frost is out in the spring, cut this compost carefully over, heaping up three or four feet high. It is very necessary to have this compost thoroughly rotted, consequently it will sometimes be necessary to work it over the second time before the 1st of May. If your soil is heavy, plow and work it in dry weather, so as to bring it to as fine condition as possible ; but warm sandy ground will [)rove nmch earlier. About the tenth of May mark out your ground with a plow, four feet each way ; then with a hoe dig out the hills, or the place for them, down to the yellow earth, full fifteen inches in diameter. If you can procure it easily, scatter a table spoonful of Peruvian guano in the bottom of each hill ; im- mediately put in your compost, the quantity so that your ground will just use up your compost; then with a hoe cover your manure at least six inches deep, making you hills large and high. The most expense in raising early tomatoes con- sists in the management of the plants before they are set out in the open ground. If you are near a good market it will j)ay to expend some capital in hot-bed fixtures. Procure good sash and frames, and as many pint pots as you wisli to raise plants. But if you are near a pottery you had better order your pots made five inches deep, and four inches wide, inside measure. If I recollect, a sash six feet by tln-eo covered 120 pots. Your sash, pots, mats, and frames ready, about the 15th of February dig a pit two feet deep as large as four sash ; fill this with fresli stable manure, packed pretty solid so as to hold heat longer, cover this with six inches of rich soil ; place on your sash, and mats at night ; in three or four sunny days your bed will be ready for the seed. Make small drills for the seed four inches apart; sjw your seed thickly — the large smooth is the best market kind — cover near one inch deep. In five or six days if j'our bed is in good condition, they will be bursting through the ground. If the weather is moderate, give air each sunny day l)y opening the sash at the top. When about two inches high, thin out to one inch apart. Be careful not to let youi" plants grow too fast — six inches by the first of April is as large as they should l)e ; aim at having your plants stout — avoid spindling plaiits. About the 20th of March pile the earth on each side of your plants about four inches high, Avhich will cause them to throw out new roots. About the last of March prepare your bed for hardening large enough to hold all your pots; have ready enough rich mould to fill your pots. In this second be a love for Domestic Duties ? " ; . . ' f The education of girls in domestic aftairs may' he commenced at a very tender age. They shonW be allowed to do little chores about the house as soon as they are capable of doing them. We sa.v &WtW' ed to do them, because every mother knows tto* little girls feel quite important when they < an ua^ in settuig the table by i)utting aroiuid the knivcsaiil forks, wiping some of the dishes, picking up thing? about the kitchen, jiutting the chairs in then- prope- . places, etc. If propoi-ly taught and encouraged they will very soon do tlieir little work neatly and expe- ditiouslv, and make the inquiry, "What shall 1 do now, Ma ? " But we must not overdo the matter by asking too much of them while very young, or what was considered a pastime Avill be thouglit of witli dread and performed with reluctance. ^. ; In the meantime we should attend to the cultiva- tion of the intellect; for we may as reasonably ex- pect to train up a vine without the support winch its nature requires, as to teach a girl whose mmd has been neglected, to love the duties she should be ex- pected to perform. Mothers should ever bear in mind that there is a material difference between teaching a daughter to perform domestic duties and teaching her to love those duties. The former Is the kind of teaching adapted to animals low m the scale of intellect. It requires a mere physical per- formance, without the aid or the exercise ot mental faculties. The latter is a higher order of teaclnng, and brings into action some of the noblest attributes of the human mind. It appeals to the tenderest of feeliu'^s— love. What daughter or sister who loves her father and her brothers will not take delight m performing her part well, knowing that thereby she is contribiiting to their comfort and raismg herseli in their esteem. , , , ,. i Girls should early be taught that there can be no true greatness without labor, and that physical labor is necessary to the proper development ot both mmd and body; also that they will be esteemed in society not according to the number of sliowy dresses they possess, nor the manner in which they pcrtorm on the piano or chatter French; but according to the manner in which they perform those duties which naturally and necessarily devolve upon their sex, Schoharie, N. Y., Jan^y, 1S58. A FAEMEK'S WITB 94 THE GENESEE FARMER. PEESONAL HABITS AT HOME. "IIow can Karniers' Wives and Daughters induce their ITus- bnnds, f ons, and Krotliors, to be clean and neat in the house, in Uii'ir jH;rsi>n» and haliitsV" I AM avvafe that in some families this looks like a herciiloari task; yet imich may be done, even wliere the want of neatness is sadly apparent. In tlie first place ladies shoidd not consider any part of their house too ince for use, and wherever the ladies sittinj^-room is, there tlie husband, sons, and broth- ers, should be wehioine. Wo will take a farmer's fiimily for an examjile, and suppose they have room in their house for comfort and elegance. Of course the parlor is not to be the connnon living room ; bnt there is a nicely carpeted, airy sitting room, where the ladies can sit down after their morning work is done, and read or sew, and where the quiet knitting •work is always convenient. We will suppose the husband, brothers, and sons. COJno in tired, warm, and soiled, to dinner. Now is tlu' tune to begin the reform, if any is needed. Have '■ulycool water, towels, and combs, in the shade, mid they will not want nnich urging to use them. Tin !i a clean light roundabout, linen coat, or some- thlHir cool, to put on while eating, makes them feel aiuj l-aok fit to sit down at the table. After dinner, It rbey lixid kind efforts are made to have them rest i:n tlie lounge or the arm chairs, they will return ihe kind feeling by avoiding any unnecessary soiling )f these comfortable resting places. There may be exceptions, but I think this woidd be the general fe. liii^'. 1;' there is company at tea, let the husband, broth- ers and sons, as many as convenient, be called in and farnishod with whatever is necessary to make their dress pleasant to sit at the table or in the par- lor. I have sometimes visited where the gentlemen were not invited to tlie tea table with the ladies. I never feel more than half welcome, where this is practiced. At night, let conveniences for bathing or washing- he ready,_ and let the family sit down together ili r. idmg, singing, or in some intellectual conversation. h It probable that with such a system a family will wish to be sloveidy? I think not. A dilierent . niode of treatment has caused this evil in many tara- ihes When members of a family are driven^to the kitchen because they are not clean enough to sit with the ladies, or in the parlor, what wonder if thev become careless and slovenly? If, as some people tJiink, coarseness and, vulgarity flourish in the kitch- en, then bring all the members of the family into the sitting room or parlor, so that refinement and intelligence may thrive in their stead, and all will be not only neater but happier. a m HOW TO MAKE HOME ATTRACTIVE. th"r Bmilu'r^^'h"' '>':'''^^'•'^'■,'""*' S*'"^ "f "">■ <-""""•>' induce T)olte in T^ '■"'''"•''"' <"'y 'n t''ei>- "habits, courteous and LomoV* manners, and contribute best to their comfort.it The ways in which the sisters of our country miglit exert a beneficial influence over their brothers are very numerous. In the first place set them the example, tor yoti seldom see young men when grown up to manhood either slovenly in appearance or *.^ '^^''''' P"'"'""' '^ "^^'■''^d to the writer of this excellent notd J ", *^"T!'"" '', "'"''^^^' different from the one pro- posed, and It could not therefore compete with others. [com manners who in their childhood had a sister who made them her pride, and delighted to see them neat and tidy at all times. How can it be expected that our brothers can be induced to keep themselves respectable, if we as sisters do not; or if on their wishing to go from home, etc., find the buttons off their shirts, or perhaps their colars unironed, or if ironed at all, done in a very careless, untidy manner, and their whole wardrobe in a state of confusion. Would it not contribute greatly to their happiness if sisters would devote a small portion of time every week in looking after these small bnt important items of comfort. IIow many mothers are at this present time lamenting with pai-ental sorrow the departure from home of a beloved son, in search of, as he thinks, a more comfortable home; another instance in which a sister's influence and love, if properly ex- erted, might have prevented the brother's departure, and consequently the mother's grief. I do not wish by this to insinuate that sisters ought to have the sole command of their brothers — far trom it ; neither do I wish to encourage that domineering spirit so fully developed in some sisters, much to their own unhappiness, but let love be the ruling power. Second: That they may be courteous and polite in their manners, let sisters endeavor both by pre- cept and example to encourage a series of evening readings of good substantial well-written works, intermixed with a lively conversation on the prom- inent features of what has been read. This will, I think, tend to make the long winter evenings of our beloved country pass pleasantly aw^ay ; for, to use the words of an English poet, "This linoks can do, nor this alone; they give 2s'ew views to life and teach us how to "live ; They soothe the grieved, the stubborn they chastise ; Fools Uiey admonish, and confirm the wise: Their aid they yield to all ; they never shun The man of sorrow or the wretch undone. Unlike the hard, the selfish, and the proud, They fly not sullen from the suppliant crowd, Nor tell to various people various things ; But shew to subjects what they shew to kings." How many hundreds of the young men that pop- ulate our country resort to the tavern, the ball- room, theatre, and other places of idle amusement, to spend their evenings, instead of staying at home and contributing to the rest of the family's comforts — and wliy ? Simply because time passes away more pleasantly than at home ! -n-hereas, if mothers and sisters would endeavor to interest them either in the way before mentioned, or by x)Ccasional social or liome parties of neighbors and friends, it Avould, I firmly believe, have a beneficial effect upon their mind, and help to make home hapi^y. No matter how low in circumstances, or how far from society of gay and fashionable comrades, if the sister en- deavors to be lady-like in her own deportment it \yill necessarily have a good effect. Let sisters con- sider these few liints, and endeavor, if in former times they have been neglectful, to strive to let the time past suffice. And lastly, that sisters may contribute to your comfort at home, I would say to the brothers for whose benefit the foregoing lines have been penned, strive to appreciate a sister's efibrts for your comfort ; do not dampen all her endeavors by persisting in habits which you know are contrary to her desire; • ^ but let it be your aim to "do unto others as you '^*^ would that they should do unto you," ^;F Aurora, JarVy, 1858. A SISTEK. "'^" THE GENESEE FARMER. 95 rEANSACTIONS OF THE OHIO POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR 1857. At the meeting of tliis Society in September last, j} President, A. H. Ernst, of Cincinnati,— avIio, the by, is re-elected for the ensuing year,— made 'valuable address, reviewing the eifects of the I jather during' the past two years on fruit trees, id the diseases of fruit trees and their causes, and imy other interesting topics, which our limited lace will not admit of inserting. We give the lowing extracts: •' Destruction of Trees in the Winter of 1855-6. This destruction was as remarkable as it was severe ; some instances, the same varieties, standing in >se contact, and seemingly similarly situated, were ferently affected, some being destroyed, while others ;aped unharmed. This was especially the case with 3 grape, some vines of the same varieties being cut ; while the next escaped ; this was more particularly servable in parallel rows, one being mostly destroyed, lile its next neighbor was little harmed, so that we imed nothing of the hardiness of one variety over other," " Mildew and Rot of the Grape. — In this eonnec- in I would especially call your attention to the mil- w and rot of the grape, which proved so destructive the crop this season, and which will, if not arrested, Eiterially interfere with the culture of this healthful xury. Whether this is owing to the adoption of the iropean method of culture and treatment by our ne-dressers, as not suited to our soil and climate, or the result of other causes, are matters on which ere is much difference of opinion, and is worthy of )ur serious consideration. It cannot be that in a untry where the grape abounds and flourishes in a ild state, it should not also flourish in a state of iltivation, if the method of culture is correct, and not 3Structive to the health of the plant. The fact that irieties which were healthy, and perfected their fruit jgulai-ly and uniformly, do not do so now, or at least recariously, is certainly suggestive of something •rong in their treatment. It cannot arise from a worn ut soil, from which all the substances for their .ealthy action have been abstracted, or they would till maintain their former healthfalness, when trans- 3rred to new soil. This is not the case; all share like in similar soil and location. Is the plant not ifeebled in its power to produce fruit by the severe nining to which it is subjected in our climate ?" •'The growth of large cities is so rapid ; the facilities afforded for transporting fruits from point to point with great rapidity by railroad, which gives the culU- vator a choice of markets, and the immense quantities of perishable sorts wliieh are now being annually put up in cans for further use, all tend to an increased demand and enhancement of prices, so that they are likely to be placed beyond the reach of a large class pf persons who would be consumers if prices were witliiu their means." A letter received from A. L. Benedict, of Mor- row County, "in answer to a request for informa- tion in regard to the elfect of the two pa*t winters on the ditferent varieties of Apples," contains a list of 73 varieties in the orchard of Mr. Benedict, of which all the trees of 17 varieties were " entirely destroyed," 31 varieties were "partially injured," and the trees of 25 varieties were "not injured, or but very sUghtly." Of the kinds " entirely destroyed, and those "partially injured," all bore a full or partial crop the previous season. Of the kinds not injured, 84 per cent, of them bore a full or partkil crop the previous season, and 16 per cent, were barren. The number that bore a partial crop was gi-eater than in the other two classes. Mr, Benedict says, "it will be seen that those kinds which fruited fullest in 1855, suffered most by tlie frosts of the winter following." If we can conclude from the above, that those trees that bore fruit the previous season, were thereby rendered more susceptible of injury by cold, we may infer that if all had borne alike, all would have received the same injury ; thus corrobo- rating the remarks of the President, which w^e have previously quoted, in reference to our ignorance of the hardiness of varieties. Mr. J. L. SniNKLE, of Brown Co., in a letter savs: " I will also state, that those trees which were Ir^Aei with fruit in the fall of '55, made but little growth, and suffered less than those that bore no fruit, and were growing thriftily." In an interesting letter from W. 0. Hampton, of Hardin Co., we find the following : " The Sap.sucking Wood-peckers have caused more loss in fruit trees in this region than any of the severest winters. The young birds usually select the thriftiest tree in the orchard, and will continue to feed on the tender alburnum until the tree is destroyed, unless timely aid is rendered in the use of powder and shot ; and it must be timely indeed, for a few short hours are sufficient to destroy a tree of twenty year's growth. My loss by them, in spite of my vigi- lance has amounted to from $50 to $150 worth of trees yearly. Nutall says that it is not clearly under- stood whether this bird feeds on insects or the sap of the tree ; there can be no doubt but that it feeds on the young and tender sap wood, and thus it becomes a great pest to the orchardist in wooded districts. Other wood-peckers take a portion of the fruit, but this we can spare for tlie services rendered by them in the destruction of worms, but we cannot so well spare thrifty .and vigorous trees which we have watched and nursed for twenty years." n THE GENESEE FARMER. At the close nl' the vohime, in summmg up under tJie heail, " What has been learned," we find, among otJier deductions, the following: " .As a ifciicral rulo, thoro is not ranch difference in thi> hanliiuss of the diU'eri'iit varieties of fruits, cspeci- allv of ]ieeche.s and sweet cherries; and in regard to ai)I)les, the diir.-reiice is nuieh less tliau was generally 5ui)iiosed ; as many of those reported as tender in one locality, or by one writer, are classed as hardy by otliers. The principal exceptions seem to be in refer- ence to the IJeluiout, Rhode Island Greening, E. Spitzen- berg, and Roxl)nry llusset, which are reported as most g-;nerally injured by the winter. " The ellect of the previous crop had no perceptible influence in rendering the tree liable to injury by the winU'r ; but more was dependent on the condition of the wood as to ripeness— those trees which, from ricli- ness and moisture of soil, made a late and luxuriant growth the sea.son previous, were most injured by the winter. For this and otlier reasons, elevated or hilly lands are found most favorable for apples, as well as peaches ajid cherries. '' From the reports of twenty-five northern counties, to the State Board of Agriculture, giving answers to the question, ' Which are considered the best sis winter apples in your County ?' the vote stands as follows : R. I. Greening 20 Rambo 18 E. Spitzenberg 18 Roxbury Russet 16 Baldwin 13 Y. Bellliower H The next in order were Belmont, G. Russet, Canada iced, and Newtown Pippin, from six to ten votes each." PLAtrriNG DWAEF PEAR TREES. Eds. Gen'esee Farmeh.— As I am intending to plant a large number of Dwarf Pear trees tliis spriri"- I wish if possible to obtain definite and reliable in- formation about the deptli of planting them. There seems to be some diversity of opinion, among prac- tical cultivators, on tJiis point — one class recom- mending planting the tree so as to have the line of union of the quince and pear just even with the surface of the ground, and the other to have the union several iuclies below the surface, so t]u\t the pear may throw out roots and become indei)endent of the qumce stock. If this is the result of deep planting, the practice seems to me to be desirable as the tree will become more permanent o-i-ow to a greater size, and i)erhaps live longer. I know that It IS thought by some that these qualities are not de- sirable—tliat the object of cultivating on the quince stock IS to dwarf the tree, and thus enable us to have a number of trees of different varieties in a small space, and to make them manageable to prune and to admit of easily gathering the fruit. But bv deep panting we have all the advantage of the dwarf tree in carhj bearing, and for several years that of do^e^ planting; and if the tree throws out roots from Itself, and grows to a greater size, we «in well afford to cut out every other one, or more aiid then gam much by the change of conditions: >ViU planting the quince stock deep, in good soil i„ any way injure it? I have heard that if planted deei^ hey would soon die; but I am inclined to think th-s wdl only occur in wet, cold soils, where of course deep planting should not be practised ; but If the soil i.s light, and in good condition, from ^ha I know of the nature of the quince stock I am in whole of it";' 'If^'Y'''''^''^ outVLrthe wJiolo of Its length, and not be injured bj a depth of a foot, or even more, in a good dry soil. 1 way that dwarf trees are propagated in the nura ies, by working the stocks two or three inches abo the surface of the ground, does not require them be planted much over a foot in deptli to have t pear stock three or four inches below the surfai If the effects mentioned above, follow deep plantii the question how deep shall dwarf pear trees planted, is one of great importance when so maj are engaged at the present time in starting pe orchards. If enough is known about this subje< I hope the information may be disseminated, ai this point satisfactorily decided, a. ii. i. Orleans Co., iV. V. THE WHITE POPLAR OR ABELE TREE. There is no question better deserving the atte tion of horticulturists, in many sections of t United States and Canada, than "How can t best provide shelter for fruit trees?" , The influea of a belt of trees, of a hill, or even of a tight boai fence, in breakmg off cold winds, and amelioratiii the severity of our winter and spring frosts, becoming better understood; and the day is m far distant when, by means of artificial shelter, tl tenderer kinds of fruit trees will be successful) raised in sections where their cultivation is no> attended -i.ith great difiiculty, and where the ben managed orchards produce such precarious cron as to lead many to give up all hope of obtainim adequate compensation for their labors. There is perhaps no tree better adapted M planting in belts on the north and northwest sidei of orchards, for the purpose of breaking the sever ity of these cutting winds, than the White o; Silver-Leaved Poplar, It grows with astonishing rapidity ; and from its habit of throwing up suck ers, it soon forms a dense mass of undergrowth. which makes a most admirable screen. It is stated in the Dictionnaire des Eaux et Forcts, tliat 8 tree planted in a field, and surrounded by a fence at twenty-five feet distant from it on every side, formed by its suckers, in twenty years, a circular clump of wood fifty feet in diameter; and that consequently thirty or forty trees would cover an acre with a thick wood in the same length of time. This habit of throwing up suckers is an objection to the White Poplar, when planted in grounds for ornamental purposes, but it is a decided advantage in forming a screen. When once introduced into woods, especially where the soil is moist and loamy, it forms a perpetual succession of young treea, however frequently these may be cut down. Th« stools, however, decay after they have borne thre« or four crops of poles. As a proof of the rapidity of the growth of th«'' Abele tree, Etelto mentions one of these trees at THE GENESEE FARMER. 97 WHITE POPLAR OR ABELE THEE. Syon, "which, being lopped in February, 1G51, did, by the end of October, 1852, produce branches as Kg as a )nan's wrist, and seventeen feet in height." iAs a general rule, the Abele, when planted in a soil inodei-ately good and moist, will in ten years attain the height of twenty feet or upwards, with a trunk from six to nine inches in diameter. The conmion Abele tree, {Poiuilns alia aoeri- folia,) of which we annex a beautiful engi'aviiig. i« not only well adapted for planting in belts to pro- THE GEm^lSEE FARMER. vide shelter, but also for planting in avenues by the side of a road, though its habit of throwing up suckers all around it, from its numerous creeping roots, is a serious objection. The young shoots have a purplish tinge, and they are covered with a white down. The leaves are deeply lobed and indented, very dark above, and whitish and downy beneath, and, when agitated by the wind, produce a very pleasing eifect. The wood of this tree is useful for a variety of minor purposes, particularly when lightness eithep of weight or color is thought desirable. On the prairies at the "West, this tree can not be too exten- sively planted. FRUIT GKOWEES AND SOCIETIES. Editoiis Genesee Farmer: — It is pretty gen- erally conceded, that societies which liave for their object the gatliering of tacts, and the dissemina- tion of the truths arrived at by the comparison of facts thus obtained, are very beneficial, if conducted with discretion, and with a single purpose to ac- complish the objects of their formation, without regard to what manner the truths arrived at may affect the selfish interests of any or all of its mem- bers; and they are able to accomplisli nuicli wliich individual ett'ort can never do. We tliink the value of associated effort, as coinpared with individual^ is not undervalued in this day. On the contrary, we believe that the reverse is true, and that indi- vidual effort is not sufficiently appreciated. But we still ffnd that, mingled with the conffdence which the mass of the people liave in the power of these societies to do good, there is a very prevalent dis- trust of their motives, and a hesitation on the part of many about casting in tlieir lot with them, and contributing their information to the general fund, lest they too be suspected of siiuster designs, and become classed with those wlio have told what they knew in all honesty, and were met with reserve and concealment by those who had profited by their experience but selfishly M'ithheltl their own. Added to these, we have a class of men, who, being selfish themselves, and conscious of no better motives, have no faith in human disinterestedness, and accord- ingly look at once for the foundation of every society, in tlie selfish interests of some man or class of men. Of course, these men never fail of finding a sufficient selfish motive for all these societies, and conclude that, if any good is done, it is accidental or inevitable from the nature of the case. They will join the society if they see that their interests will be advanced, or that they can make use of the society themselves to do so. Now, we have no quarrel with the man who wishes to promote his own interests by all fair and honorable means ; for he is the keeper of his own welfare, in a sense that no one else is; and we have no right to accuse him of selfishness, if he advance his own welfare only by those means which are certain to promote the general good. Societies wliich have for their object those things which promote the general welfare, should therefore be sustained and encouraged, even though they may and do promote the interests of a particular class of men most especially, and are made use of by some of that class in a manner which is not strictly justifiable; it is not Avise to saci'ifice the general advancement, for fear some man will get more than his due share of i)rosperity. AVe do not ignore the fact that a great many men — perhaps the mass — are thoroughly selfish; but a society is to be judged by its avowed objects, and all good members sliould aim to advance those objects or leave the field to those who wUl. If the objects of the society are not selfish, but good ; then let us not blame tlie society, but those who pervert it. We are led to these remarks by the recent meet- ing of the Fruit Growers' Society of Western New York, held in Rochester, January Yth, 1858, — a meeting characterised by some features which wo think call for remonstrance and amendment, while at the same time they do not give good cause for severe censure or complaint towards any, much less for discouragement or doubts as to the usefulness of this fiourishing society. The object of this society, as set forth in the constitution, is "the advancement of the Science of Pomology, and the art of Fruit Culture generally." Judged by this clause, who will say that this is not a commendable society; or what former, or nurseryman, or gardener, or citizen, who owns a lot of half an acre in any of our villages,-is there, who would not be most liappy to give one dollar per annum to be in possession of the accumulated infor- mation of all the best practical fruit groAvers in AVestern New York? the experience of 100 mem- bers of this society, uiion any of the subjects com- ing under their observation during one year, is the experience of a century of individual life. IIow vast, then, is the sum of experience, if the society be largely extended, and one thousand careful observ- ers and intelligent cultivators can be summoned at the call of our President to come together and for our mutual benefit offer each his tribute of annual observation. Tlie progress of a year may thus become the progress of an age, or a century ; and the good done to the race, by the 'extension and advancement of these objects, almost beyond com putation. Theoretically, therefore, this society is admirably calculated to do good; but, practically, we must fall short of some of its benefits. The distrust, wliich we have before spoken of, leads many to say, "This is a nurseryman's society, and the grooving of fruit trees is their business; of course, all that makes demand for trees helps them ; they will be sure to Jlnd such facts as they require to make a good market for trees." In this way confidence is destroyed. The fruit grower being persuaded that his interest is not consulted by the nurserymen, refuses to plant, and of course never reaps; leaves the society to those whom he supposes to be opposed to him, and the information he might liave commu- nicated and received is lost. How strange it is that all men do not see that the. welfare of all men is bound together, and that each man's true interest is promoted by the advancement of every other man's true interest. The welfare of a nurseryman depends entirely upon his consult- ing carefully the interests of his purchasers, the fruit growers ; and failing to do this, he soon loses the confidence and the custom of those upon whom he depends for support. THE GENESEE FARMER. 99 Fruit growers and orchardists are seldom very skilful propagators of trees. They have found that division of labor is as profitable in this case as in any other; and that to raise a man's own trees, takes a long time, and would be as unprofitable as t<) make his own wagons, instead of purchasing of skiUul mechanics. Very few of them have given or can give, that attention to the study of pomology which will enable them to decide accurately as to tJie correctness of varieties which they wish to propagate, or gather and test so great a number of varieties as a man should, and can, who is engao-ed solely in supplying the public with trees. The fact is, that our nurserymen now comprise the best informed class of men upon all the various subjects of fruit growing; and fruit growers would iind It as much for their interest to obtain this Iqiowledge, as it is for the interest of nurserymen that they should do so. It is equally necessary, in the attainment of the greatest good from this soci-- 6ty, that men should be present and speak, who devote themselves especially to one or more branches ot fruit culture. The results arrived at by small ex- periments, sucli as a nurseryman can make, are often contradicted and modified by those of an extensive planter ; and this class of men usually exercise a very conservative influence in sucli a society. Societies being comprised of individuals, it is plain that, however valuable the objects of the feociety may be, the results can not be very good unless there is individual ettbrt. Various plans • may be adopted, and great effort made to gather in the public, and by numbers secure money, and ^parent prosperity. It must aU be superficial and Rctitious, unless there is steady and intelligent aT)pli- c^tion of individuals in the direction of the objects proposed by its constitution. Attention to fruit growing, and the careful gathering of information throwing light upon this matter, is therefore the prime business of our members; and it is the duty of every member to see that, so far as he is con- cerned, he brings to the meeting his best informa- tion upon the subject proposed for discussion. It »s on y when our meetings are made valuable, and ,^'orth the trouble and expense of a journey, that we can in all honesty ask the farmer and the editor p^ leave his calling for a time, and hear and speak Jfith us. ^ , We are in favor of individual eflfort, and thus only can we prosper; but there is a degree of indi- mhiality which we can not always admire. We fcelieve in every man's preserving his own identitv and_ not attempting to be somebody else. We are not in favor of any one's rights being compromised ; ;tut we are greatly in favor of courtesy in debate l)revity of speech, decorum, and the careful observ- ance of customary parliamentary rules; for thus only can the rights of all be secured. In the absence of these, wordy and discursive debate soon assumes the whole field, and the true object of the meetmg is lost. We do not consider it a certain thing that popu- larity wiU follow merit, but we hope to see our eociety merit popularity, and shall aim at securing this desideratum through making the society useful to tfie public; and in the hope of doing somethin'^ to satisfy the farmer and the orchardist that thil eociety IS really a valuable one to them, wo have vntten these lines. w ,? » ll* A, li( PLANTS FOR GKAPE BORDERS. Editors Genesee Farmer:— Your correspond- ent "Amateur," asks for information whether the 1 ortulacca and Verbena can be grown on the grape border without material injury to the vines We answer, they can if planted sufticientlv distant to give the sun and air a chance to act on the soil — ^ one but plants of an annual nature should be em- r^oyed and those mentioned are as good as any. With these we would recommend a few patches of the Ice plant, {Mesembryanthemwn crystallinum,) not tor Its flowers, liowever, but for its' sino-ularitv which generally finds admirers. About the best way to arrange these plants is to plant the Verbenas about five feet asunder each way, allowing them to occupy dl the ground but the last row, which should be Portulacca and Ice plant alternate eighteen inches apart. To give a striking ettect to the Verbenas, and at the same time keep them from spreading too far, tie up a few of the main branches to sticks eighteen inches liiiih. These instead of forming a dwarf mass in the ordinary way, will then form bushes, which, if duly arranged as to colors, will give the border a verv pretty eftect We have used Mignonette alternately with the Verbenas, taking care to keep them in compact bushes, with very good eftect; and those who pre- fer, can plant that way. For a purpose like this it IS best to transplant the Portulacca from a seed bed or at any rate to keep them quite trim, so that they may continue in blossom over a longer period, of *™^' EDGAR SANDERS. Chicago, HI, FeVy, 1858. TRAINING OSAGE HEDGES -CORRECTION. Editors Genesee Farmer: — In the February number of your paper, you give an article on Irammg Hedges," and refer to an article written by me for the Rural Annual of 1857; but in abridging the same for your columns, you have also abridged the time required for rearing the hedge, one year. This is a species of abridgenient which IS not safe, and I fear will result in the "in- considerate hastiness " which you caution i)lanters against. The hedge should not be summer pruned the second year after planting, but allowed to make a full growth; and if well cultivated, it will make a growth of six or eiglit feet from the ground this sea,son. The third summer, it should be summer pruned about the first of July, cutting back to within six inches of where it was cut in^April. I wish you would make this correction, because 1 know the Osage Orange will make a perfect de- fence against man or beast, if well trimmed ; but care must be taken to give it breadth and density before height is attained. n. e. hooker, Iioc}^sUr,N. Y.,FeVy,l%bB. Raspberries on the Prairies.— These may be grown profitably, to almost any extent, by trans- planting the wild bushes from tlie groves, which improves their quality and productiveness very much, —especially if well cultivated. Every new settler can have an abundance of this fruit the second year, if he will but try. Q.~Lee Centre, 111., Jan'y, 1858. ' THE GENESEE FARMEK. April Premiums.— Our friends who act as agents for the Geimee Farmer, are so disinterested in their efforts to dis- seminate agricultural information, that they seem to haye ov^erlooked altogether our " Large April Premiums." Few, if any, are competing for them. They seem to be satisfied with the consciousness of advancing the cause of rural improvement m their respective neighborhoods, without hoping for, or looking after, any pecuniary reward. Now, while this manifestation of their zeal for the cause, argues well for their public spirit,— while it makes us feel proud of such co-laborers,— yet, seeing that such Premiums are offered, and will be awarded and paid to some one, we desire that all who are desirous of a good Agricultural Library, should bear in mind, that they have only to make a very little effort in getting subscribers, and they are certain of it. We have never before offered so many Premiums — never was there so little competition — and there can be no doubt that an unusually small club will secure a Prize. As we stereotj-pe the Farmer, we can supply all orders for back numbers of the present volume. There are thousands of farmers that have given up the high-priced weeklies, on account of "hard-times," who do not at present take any agricultural paper. To such the Genetee Farmer particularly commends itself. It is the cheapest Agricultural Journal in the world. More Agricultural and Horticultural reading can be obtained in it, at one-quarter the price, than in the once popular weeklies. But three numbers are yet issued; and as they do not contain '• news," &c., but information of permanent value, they are just as good now as ever. There is yet abundance of time to subscribe ; and if our friends will only call the attention of their neighbors to the subject, they can greatly extend our subscription list. Every one who sees the paper is pleased with it Its articles from experienced correspondents, in number, variety, and practical value, are unequalled. These articles in any single number, are worth the cost of the volume. Such a paper ought to have one hundred t/MUsaiid subscribers, and by a little effort on the part of its numerous friends, it might have this number the present year. It is the " Farmers Own Paper," and every tarmer should feel interested in extending its influence and usefulness. Itscirculation is already greater than that of any other Agricultural paper in the world, but still we have no objection to entering the names of a few thousand more good farmers ou our list. The time for competition for the "Large April Premi- ums" expires on the 15th day of April. There are nine premiums, amounting to one Jiundred and eighty dollars, to be taken. The result will be announced in the May number. Now is the time to secure oue of these premiums. Try and induce yaur neighbors to subscribe — they will never be sorry for it — and the prize is yours. The postage on the Farmer is three cents a year in this Slate, and five cents a year in any other State. Prize Essays.— We have the pleasure of presenting our readers, this month. Twenty-seven Prize Essays, written expressly for the Genesee Farmer. They merit, and we doubt not will receive, a careful perusal. On most of the subjects, quite a number of essays were received, nearly all of them well written, and worthy of publication, and we shall endeavor to make room for extracts from some Ot them, in a future number. These essays have crowded out the favors of many valued correspondents, but they will appear next month. We have also on hand several hundred original domestic receipts, kindly furnished us by a number of excellent house-wives. We shall endeavor to publish, each month, such as are seasonable, and we hope our friends will con- tinue to furnish them. We will give a Eural Annual, or any other book of the value of twenty-five cents, for any dozen domestic receipts, which the Committee deem worthy of publication. New York State Agricultural Society.— The Annual Meeting of the New York State Agricultural Society, was held at Albany, Feb. 10th, 11th. The following officers were elected for the coming year : President— Ron. W. T. McCoun, of Queens County. Corref^ponding Secretary-^. P. Johnson, of Albany. Becording Secretary— E. Corning, Jr. Albany. Treasurer— 1xyav.Vi H. Tuckkr, Albany. It was decided to hold the next Annual Fair at Syracuse, October 5—8. ^^^ . Inquiries and Answsrs. Top Grafting Young Teees-Tue Willow for Hedges. —(P. E. W., Bronte, C. W.) It will be quite practicable to trraft your young apple trees, in the spring, with any othCT varieties you may choose; the Jersey Siceet and I^or- them Sj>y will both be found valuable stocks for that pur- pose, as they are strong, thrifty growers. The value of the willow for hedges and screens is little appreciated. It is such a rapid growing plant, and may so easily be made to become bushy and impenetrable by the wind, that it is of the very first importance for thi» purpose. Especially may it be employed to advantage/ about gardens. The y^rioij purpurea, or Purple WiUoW, is one of the best for this use, and is verj- commonly grown in this manner in England. The leaves and bark are SO very bitter, that no animal will gnaw or brouse it ; it make? shoots from three to five feet in length; and, in four or five years, a screen can bo formed from fifteen to twenty- five feet high, which will bo a complete wind-breaker. Cutr tings may be planted about a foot apart, where it is design- ed "they should permanently stand, taking care, if any should fail, to replace them the nest season. It will be best the first three or four years, to cut the shoots back half' their length, to make them bushy. Plants and cut- tings may be obtained, in this vicinity, of the nurserymen. Pipes foe Carrying Wateb.-(M. G., Miamisville, 0.)— The best method of carrying water from springs and well$ with which we are acquainted, is through wooden tubes on the same principle as the old fashioned pump logs, but- made of pine scanUing. It is manufactured by I. S. Ho9r BIB & Co., of this city, and by Gould & Allen of Quincy, 111. It is cheaper than lead, less liable to fill up, aud quit, as easily laid down. THE GENESEE FARMER. 101 Guano for Onions.— (A Young Farmer, Toronto, C.W.) —Peruvian guano is an excellent manure for onions. About three pounds to the square rod is the proper quan- tity, sown broadcast and raked in previous to sowing the aeed. We have raised excellent crops in this way. Guano stimulates the early growth of the plant, and has also the advantage of being free from weeds. If the soil is very poor, four pounds to the square rod may be used; but there is danger of applying an excess, as it causes the on- ions to run too much to tops. Wheat Turning to Chbss.— (R., Port Ryerson, C. W.) —The phenomenon you mention is not new. Our corres- pondents have several times sent us an ear of wheat with an ear of chess apparently growing from it ; but on careful examination it was found that the stalk of the chess was only twisted around the ear of wheat, and not attached to it. We have no doubt that, had you examined, you would have found such to be the case in the precisely similar phenomenon lyou describe. Underdraining. — I wish to obtain a knowledge of the best method of underdraining. I discover that thou hast an article in the first numljer on this subject. It speaks of the value of underdraining, but not so extensively of the manner in which it should be performed. And I suppose that I will expose my ignorance, by saying that I do not fully understand all that is written in "that article on the subject. The two-inch pipe tilmg, I do not fully under- stand— what it is, nor how it is to be placed in the ditch? Underdraining is a subject that I feel very desirous to understand, and have for a considerable length of time. I do-not wish to become troublesome to thee on the subject, but it would gratify me, if it suits thy inclination and convenience, to give a more practical account of the best method of doing the work. Lor Lindlet. — tSi/lvania, Ind. Our article in the February number, may furnish an answer to a portion of the above, but we should be glad if some of our experienced correspondents would give additional information. Caterpillars on Fruit Trees. — What is the best means of destroying the Caterpillar (and other mischievious worms) on our fruit and shade trees? They have been very destructive in this region, during the past season. I make the inquiry for several reasons. One is that you may bring the subject before your readers, to ascertain, if pos- sible, some more sure and effectual way of exterminating the race, than fireing charges of powder among the nests, or of burning them with torches, Ac. I succeeded in destroying about 1.5U nests of the kind which make their appearance quite early, (I cannot give the species,) by using a composition of oil and camphine, applied with a torch to the nest. It being my first and only experience, I am anxious to know if tnere is a better way. A neigh- bor of mine expended considerable time and money, in fireing charges of powder into them, but in a few days they were as thicK as ever. P. T. — Br'oome Co., N. Y. Wire for Grape Trellises. — As it is now generally admitted that wire trellises are the best and most economi- cal for grape vines, will you oblige by informing me whether common No. 8 or 9 wire will do, or whether it must be galvanized wire? What would the cost of the wire be, and how much would it take to trellis an acre of frape vines, the rows being 12 feet apart, and the vines 2 feet apart in the rows ? Hexrt Lampman. — JJrum- mondville, 0. W. Chip Manure. — Being a "green one" in agricultural pursuits, I wish to ask, through your valuable paper, how chip manure may be disposed of to the best advantage? Is it good for anything as a fertilizer? and if ao, to what; sad how applied to advantage ? P. T. — Broome Co., JY. Y. Game Fowls. — I wish to know where I can obtain a pair ef Game fowls, and what they would cost delivered at the XuokkaBQOck Depot, Pa, J. Paxtoit. Blight on Onions. — I would like to know the cause of blight on Onions. Last season, when I gathered mine, one- fourth were entirely rotten. The ground was new, this being the second crop. C. Carmichael. — Monee, III. Spring Flowering Shrubs. — Will some one of your numerous correspondents inform me, as to the best six species or varieties of Spring Flowering Shrubs, suitable for a small lawn or flower garden ? Wm. Thomas. Butterfly Drag. — Will some of your correspondents give a description of the butterfly drag? I wish to get a drag made, and should be glad of some hints on the subject. C. E. Kellt. — Feru, Ind. New Advertisements this Month. Rural Affairs.— Luther Tucker & Son, Albany, N. T. Ornamental Trees and Plants for Spring of 1358.— Ellwanger & Barry, Kochester, N. T. The United States Journal.— J. M. Emerson ic Co., 8T1 Broad- way, New York. To Fruit Growers ; Spring of 1858.— Ellwanger & Barry, Eoeh- esfer, N. Y. Cranberrr Culture.— Sullivan Bates & Co., Bellingham, Norfolk Co., Mass. Chinese Sugar Cane Seed.— "W. T. Goldsmith, Eochester, N. Y. Newman's Thornlcss Blackberry.— A. A. Bcn^el, Milton, Ulster Co., N. Y. Agricultural Implements.— A. Longett, S4 ClitTst., N. Y. Fine Hardy Border Plants.— Ellwanger &, Barry, Eochester,N.Y. Grape«, Blackberries, Easpberries, Strawberries, Currants, Pear Stocks, &c., &€.— Wm. E. Prince, & Co.. Flushing, N. Y. Eare Evergreen Trees; of California, &c.— Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y. The Farmer's Practical Horse Farriery.— E. Nash, publisher Auburn, N. Y. Roses and Dahlias, &c., &c. — Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester,N.Y. Seeds of Rare and Popul.-ir Hardy Trees and Shrubs.— Thomas Meehan, Germantown, Pa., (near Philadelpliia.) Flax Seed.— M. F. Reynolds, Rochester, N. Y. Grace Greenwood's Little Pilgrim.— Leandcr K. Lippincott, Philadelphia, Pa. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Faeuek, must be received as early a» the 10th of the previous month, and be of such a character as to bo of interest to farmers. Tkrms — Two Dollars for every hun- dred words, each insertion, paid in advance. MORGAN HOESE FOR SALE. I70R SALE, in whole or in part, or in exchano;e for western "^ land, a Morgan Horse (entire) of fiue figure and action, seven ■ J. DORR, years old. February, 1S58.— 3t Scottsville, Monroe Co., N. Y. ROSES AND DAHLIAS. HYBRID PERPETUAL ROSES. Moss Roses. Hybrid China Roses. And other classes, a large stock of strong plants. Dahlias, a superb collection embracing the finest new English and French varieties. The stock of the above is large, and will be 8olantlscai)e Gardentrs, and Planters genernlly, that their Stock of the following articles is large, and will be sold at prices to suit the times. Ist-EVEKGEEENS. Norway Sprtjce, of various sizes from one to six feet high, well formed specimens, in quantities from one dozen to 100,000. Pines, Austrian, Scotch, and White or Weymouth, from 8 to 12 inches— frequently transplanted. Abbor Vit.e, Siberian, 2 to 3 feet; this is a beautiful, hardy tree. " " American, 1}^ to 4 feet, for hedges, screens, &c. PiNSAPO Spruce, 12 to 18 inches high, quite broad and stout — a fine, rare tree. African or Silver Cbdab, 2 to 3 feet high. This is a noble tree, resembling the Cedar of Lehanon, but hardier and of more rapid growth. Japan Cedar, (Cryptomeria .Taponica,) 3 to 4 feet high, (in pots,) not quite hardy at Rochester. Chili Pine, (Auracaria Imljrieata,) 12 to 18 inches, stout and bushy, (in pots,) not quite hardy at Rochester. Besides these we can furnish a great number of others, for which we refer to Descriptive Catalogue No. 2. ^^ See also advcrtisement'of California Evergreens. 2d— DECIDUOUS TREES. Scotch Elm, 8 to 10 feet, Huntingdon Elm, S to 10 feet, Tulip tree, 8 feet. Magnolia acuminata, 4 to 5 feet. Purple leaved Maple, 4 to 5 feet. Gold striped leaved do. 4 to 5 ft. 3d.— WEEPING OR DROOPING TREES. We have the pleasure of offering a fine stock of the following ^aceful trees so desirable for lawns, cemeteries, Sec: Snowy Mespilus, Profuse flowering do. grafted 4 to .*) feet high— a fine small lawn tree Rosemary leaved Willow, o feet, grafted— a beautiftil feathery tree Weeping European Ash, Weeping Lentiscus leaved Ash, Wee]iiiig Mountain Ash, Weeping Poplar, Weeping Linden, Weeping European Birch, Weeping American Willow, Weeping Kilmarnock Willow, AVee|iiiig Clierry, ever blooming, Weeping Heart Cherry. The above will be supplied in quantities to suit purchasers. Priced Catalogues sent gratis to those who enclose one stamp. ELLWANGER & BARRY, March, 1S5S. — It, I^Iouut Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N.Y. WM. R. PRINCE & CO., FLUSHING, N. Y. GRAPES.— Isabella and Catawb.i,l vear, JlOper 100; 2 years, .|18; 3 years, $30. Clinton, 2 years, $25. Cuttings at low rates. Also, all the New Grapes. BLACKBERRIES.— New Roehelle and Dorchester, $10 per 100, $2 per doz. Imperial, (finest of .ill,) f-ll per 100, $2.50 per dozen. Newman's Thornless, $2 per doz. These were transplanted last epriiig, and not mere suckers. RASPBEKItlES.— Orange, Yellow Prolific, and Eranconia, $1.25 per dozen. Everbearing and Red Prolific, $1. Large Monthly, Cushing, and many others, $1.50. Red Antwerp and Red Cane, $4 ])er loo, $35 per 1,000. Catawissa, $4 per dozen. STRAWBERRIES. — 12 fine varieties, selected from an unri- valled collection, $1 per loo, .^5 to .fs per 1,000. CURRANTS.— Fine varieties. $l..^o to $2 per doz., $10 per 100. PEAR STOCKS.— 1 year, $^ |Mr1,(«iO; 2 years, $14; also stocks of Cherry, Mahaleb, Plum, Peach, Apple, Paradise, Doucin, Angers, Quince, »fec. HEDGES. — Osage Orange, Hawthorn, Honey Locust, American and Siberian Arbor Vit:ip, Hemlock, Privet, &c. SEEDS.— Pear, (very fine.) $4 per lb. Apple, Plum, Cherry, Mahaleb, Quince, Yellow and Honey Locust. Osage Orange, and all Evergreen and other Tree Seeds. White Clover Seed, Onion, Letluce. and ('liinrtse Sugar Cane in quantity. PIvMt TUKl-lS.— Standards, 5 to 9 vears, grafted, of bearing age.' DWARF FEARS.— 4 to S years, covered'with fruit buds. CHERRIES.— Standards and Dwarfs, large for prompt bearing. RHUBARB. — Linnaeus, Victoria, Maniinoth, Colossal, and all the new varieties at low rates per loO or 1,000. CRANBERRIES.— Bell and other varieties, at low rates. Ornamental Trees, Flowering Shrubs, Bulbous and Tuberous rooted Plants, Green House Plants, Ac, of every class. Chinese Potato tubers $0 per 100. Roots $80 for 10 lbs. N. B. — All the newest varieties of Fruit and other Trees, &c., ■will l)e found in the Catalogues of the different departments, sent gratis to applicants. March, It. ROCHESTER CENTRAL NTJESERIES. Send for a Catalogue. CHINESE SUGAR CANE SEED.— A package of this Seed, containing enough to plant half an acre of land, with plain directions for planting^ cultivating, harvesting, and after treatment of the Cane, will be sent, postage paid, on the receipt of One DoUar. Address C. W. SEEL YE, February, 186S.-4t Eochesttr, N. Y. J. DONNELLAN & CO., OF THE ROCHESTER AND LAKE AVENUE COMMERCIAI NURSERIES, ROCHESTER, N . Y . , WISH to inform their friends and customers that they have on hand for Spring Sales the following select assortment of Standard and Dwarf Fruit Trees, Evergreen and Weeping " Ornamental Deciduous and Climbing Shrubs, A numerous variety of select French and Domestic Roses, Pseonies, Phloxes, &c. &c.. Hardy Herbaceous .ind Hedge Plants. Bulbous Roots, Double Dahlias. &c., &c., which they will sell in quantities to suit purchaser.?, and on moder- ate terms. lOn.OOO 3 and 4 year old Apple Trees, choicest kinds, 140 000 2 " '• " " 130 000 1 " " " " " 10,000 2 " Peach " " " 10,000 1 « " " « « with an average quantity of Pears Plums, Cherries. &;c. We have also lOi'.OOO Manetti Stocks for Roses, first quality. .1,000 1 and 2 year old Horse Chestnut Seeiil'es.' 100,000 a.ssorted Apple Scions, from the most ap- proved kinds, 1^^ Descriptive and Price Catalogues furnished gratis. Rochester and Lake Avenue Com'l Nurseries, Feb. I, 1858—20 FINE HARDY BORDER PLANTS. PHLOXES, 160 of the most be;iutiful varieties. CnRYSANTnEMUMS, 70 of the finest pompone varieties and 2.5 of the large. We give special attention to these — importing an- nually the best new varieties from abroad. Hollyhocks, superb double varieties, of all colors, perfect as dahlia.s. DiELYTRA SpECTAitiLis- This plant proves to be as hardy as a common r.Ton>. and is one of the most remarkable and beautiful of all bor,:er plants. 0\er 10,000 strong plants for sale. Besiiles the above, wt' can sujijily over 2ti0 other choice peren- nial border plants, selected with great care and discrimination. ELLWANGKR & BARRY, March, 1858.— It, Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N.Y. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. A CONSIGNMENT of Agricultural Implements from an ex- tensive manufactory, is now offered for sale at prices 20 per cent, below the printed rates of the Agricultural Warehouses. Con- sisting of Plows, Corn-Shellers, F^aiming Mills, Straw and Hay Cutters, Vegetable Cutters, Corn Mills, Churns, Cultivators, Horse- Hoes, Road Scoops, Garden Barrows, &c., &c. A pamphlet giv- ing description and prices, will be sent (free) on applying to the agent, A. LONGETT, M.irch, 2t. 84 Cliff street. New York. HAMILTON NURSERIES, C. W. PN ADDITION to a large assortment of ymvng Nursery Stock, L we oflTer, at low prices for cash or short approved credit, 135,000 First cl.iss Apple Trees, four years old ; 13,000 Plum Trees, two and three years ; very fiiie, 5,000 Cherry Trees; And all the Small Fruits. E. KELLY & CO., January, 185.8.— 2t* Hamilton, C. W. PEAR SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS. CI OOD, healthy Pear Seedlings, 1 vear, $S per 1,000, $75 per T 10,000: 2 years, $15 per l,(iO0, $140 per 10,000. New England Pear Seeds in prime order for spring sowing, $5 per quart. Apple, Mazzard, Plum, Angers Quince, Mahaleb, Paradise, and Doucain Stocks, of the best quality. Catalogues toi any address. Carriage paid to New York or Boston. , B. M. WATSON, Old Colony Nurseries, February, 1858. — 3t Plymouth, Mass. NEWMAN'S THORNELESS BLACKBERRY. i MRS. NEWMAN has a good stock of plants of this valuable v.ariety, which I will send out this spring, by Express or otherwise, for $4 per dozen ; $18 per hundred. F"or full descrip- tion send for Circular. Address, A. A. BENSEL, Milton, Ulster Co., N. Y. ^^ True Hudson River Antwerp Raspberry plants for salo by the thousand. March, It.* ' A LONGETT, No. 34 CLIFF STREET, NEW YORK, DEALER in Peruvian, Colombian and Mexican Guano, Supor^ phosphate of Lime, and Bone Dust. November 1, 1857.— ly. /"MUNESE SUGAR CANE SEED— at purchasers' expense— V,' at 15 cent.s iier pound. 100.000 1 year old A.sparagus, $2.50 per thousand. 2,(»00 1 year old Red Dutch Currants, $20.00 per thousand. Address, W. T, GOLDSMITH, Rochester, N. Y. March, 2t. THE GENESEE EARMEE. 103 SEEDS! SEEDS! SEEDS! Tiioi;i?ri;\-s nkw desckiptivk CATALOGirE of VKCKTAI!!.!-:, FIKLl), AND FlU'lT S^:^:I)^, Vol: ls-,s, •Willi (lirci-iioiis f.jrciiltivatiiijj; vi-,i.'rtiibles, is now re:uly,aiul will be soiit to iiiiplicauls oiielosiiis'ii thrc-(_- cent stamp. Tile sulisrribei-s offer, of the growth of ItioT, and of the very finest (lualities, their usual extensive assortment of SEEDS, eom- jirisin^ many niivdUi-n and every tested desirable variety known In the several departments of VEO-BTABLE, FIELD, FLOWER, TREE, AND FRUIT SEEDS. They would particularly call the attention of euUivators and amateurs to tlie following Choice Peas. EXTRA EARLY DANIEL O'ROrRKE— The earliest known. ' " SANGSTEK"S No. 1— A areat favorite. '• " TOM THUMB — Very flne growing, but 8 inches high. EARLY SERASTOPOL— New and good. CHAMPION OF ENGLAND— One of the very best. DWARF AND TALL SUGAR— Edible pods. HAIRS DWARF MAMMOTH— Superb. HARRISON'S GLORY AND PERIHiCTION— New and very pr.iductive. NAPOLEON AND EUGENIE— Both new and early,wrinklcd. EPPS' LORD RAGLAN— New and superb. EPPS' MONARCH— " •' CARTER'S VICTORIA— Fine, wrinkled. BRITISH QUEEN— One of the best late. With thirty other standard sorts, for which see catalogue. ALSO, EARLY PARIS, NONPARIEL, and LENORMAND'S CAU- LIFLOWER : EARLY WAKEFIELD, OX-IIEART, and WINNING- STADT CAliliAGE; EARLY and GIANT WHITE and RED SOLID CELERY; PRIZE CUCUMP.EKS. f.,r frames; EARLY TOMATi>ESi SWEET SPANISH AND BULL-NOSE PEPPER; EARLY CURLED LETTUCE; EARLY CURLED PARSLEY; EXTRA EARLY TI'I;N1P I'.EET; EARLY WHITE VIENNA KOHL-RABI; WINTER CHERRY or STRAWBERRY TOMATO; APPLE AND PEAK SI'.KDS; MAHALEB CHKRUY I'lTS ; HAVANA TOBACCO SEED; DIOSCOUEA BATATAS or CHINESE POTATO; With Ibnnsands of other SEEDS of the same superior qualities as have heretofore affonled such universal satisfaction, and which can be recommended with thj fullest confidence as unsurpassed for genuineness. AFRICAN IMPHEE— genuine, as raised by Mr. L. Wray; $1 per lb. SORGIIUTSI, or CHINESE SUGAR CANE ; 25 cts. per lb. Flower Seeds. The collection this season is unusu il y large and choice, em- bracing many novelties. Orders by mail wi 1 havj immedint(» attention. J. M. THORBURN &. CO., Februarj', lS58-3t 15 John street, New York. NOVEL AND EXTRAORDINARY I PREMIUMS IN GOLD!! PREMIUMS IN BOOKS ! ! PREMIUMS IN ENGRAVINGS!! THE UNITED STATES JOURNAL. A PICTORIAL MONTHLY, CO.M151N1NO THE l"KATfItE.S OF A NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE. THIS popular monthly is now in its ninth year, and is one of the largest papers in the world, each number contjiining sixty-four spacious eoluinns, nearly eight hundred during the year, and embracing as much interesting matter as the ordinary three-dollar magazines. It is al)ly edited, ]>rofiisely illustrated, and is printed on beau- tiful calendered paper, each number forming of itself a splendid mammoth Pictorial. lis price is but Fifty Cf.nts a year, and Postage Six C<>ntn a year. THE GREAT PREMIUM: OFFERS!: First. To any person sending us one subscription (50 cents) we will present" a superb GOLD RING, or a Gent's elegant GOLD-PLATED BREASTPIN, set with stone or imitation pearl — either of which retails at several times the amount of subscrip- tiod, or a choice of the 50 cent books in our catalogue of five hundred volumes. Se(:<.ind. To any person sending us two subscriptions (.'Jl) we will present either a splendid Doi.i-ak Book of his own selection from a Catalogue of several hundred of the most popular worics of the day, or his choice of twelve magnificent .S.V^Z Plate Engrtivin(f.% among which are '-The Signinij of the Death War- rant of Lady . land "Grey," "The Cai)ture of Major Andre," Ac, or, if he prefers, an elegant set ofijold studs, or gold sleeve-buttons, or a superb gold breast-pin lor lady or gentleman, set with gold, stone, or some other golden gift I'f eijual value of his own selection from our schedules. Larger Clubs secure premiums equally liberal in proportion. — Do you want a Splendid Libr.vuy, a set of rakf, Enukavincs, a Gold Watoii, Gold Chain, Goi.n Lockkt, Gold Pencil, or any other Rich .Ikwf.lry, you can easily secure it l>y forming a club for this .loumal. Its established reputation and mar\ elous cheap- ness will enable you to form a large club with little effort. Reader, send one or two sul>si-riptions at once and thus secure some specimens of the paper and premiums, and be the first in tlie field to form a club. Sliould you select a golden premium, send -i cents e.\tra to pre-pay postage, and you will receive it by return of mail. A specimen copy of the Jounial, containing full particulars of our programme of premiums will be forwarded gratuitously il desired, and those who would like to satisfy themselves that the above offers will be faithfully carried out, can do so i)y sending for a specimen. GETTING RICH. We invite everj- lady or gentleman, desiring a pleasant money - making occupation, to apply for an agency for the above Journal, and the American Portrait Gallery, the most superb subscription- book ever issued in this country. We will refer them to some of our agents, now in the field, whose profits in the business, during the year 1857, have amounted to over Fin' TliniiMiiid Dullars. — An agent wanted in every County not alreadv taken. J. M. EMi:i:s<)N & CO.. March, 1S58.— It 8T1 Broadway, New York. TO FRUIT GROWERS. — SPRING OF 1858. IN ADDITION to our general stock of Fruit Trees, we solicit the attention of Planters to the fallowing articles in particular, the stock of which is extensive, and of the finest descrijjlions: Pears ox Quince, Dtcarfu and PyramirJii, 2 to 3 years' growlli; Trees of bearing size can be supplied of a few sorts. CuERRiES ON Mahaleb, I>w, upwards of 40 varieties, including McAvoy's su- Eerior, Loniiworth's Prolific, Hooker's Seedlinz, (ieiiesee, . fenny ind. Scotfs Seedling, &c.; also, the finest French ami Knglisii ■varieties, including Trollope's Victoria, and Trionipho de Gaud, two superb, hardy and prolific varieties. Baspherrih^ — Brinkte^a Orange, the hardiest and best light colored variety known; also, MerveiUe de i Stiisonx a.w\ RMede Fiin*fniiy, the two best autumnal sorts, sui)erb large fruits and prolific. All these fruits have been propagated and grown, with the most scrupulous regard for accuracy, and mav be relied upon. Early orders solicited. ELLWANGEK & BARRY, March, IS.iS. — It. Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N.Y. CRANBERRY CULTURE. THE subscribers have issued a Circular on the Cranberry and its Culture. They will forward Circulars, free of charge, to all ajiplications. Also will send plants in a fresh st.ate, by express, to all parts of the United States. Price, ■?5 per l.iiuo. Address, SULLIVAN BATES, & CO., March, 3t Beliingham, Norfolk Co., Mass. THREE HUNDRED AND TIIIETY-SIX PAGES, AND FOUK HUNDRED AND FORTY ENGRAVINGS. RURA.L AFFAIRS. A COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA in miniature for every man with a Farm, a Garden, or a Domestic Animal— for every place which will grow a flower or a Fruit-tree — for every Purchaser or a builder in the country, and for every household in the city, delighting in representations or looking forward with hopes of lUiral Life. Embracing ImPLE.MEN'TS and MACniNEET, Farm Economy, Domestic Animals, Farm Buildings, Hints for Cultivators. Rural ARciiiTECTruE, Landscapi; Gardening, Fruit Culture, Ornamental Plaxtiug, Best Fruits and Flowers, BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH -UO ENGRAViNGS By John .T. Thomas, Author of the "American Fruit Culturist," &c., itc. Sent, post-paid, on receipt of $1 in Gold, Postage Stamps or Bank-note, by the publishers, LUTHER TUCKER & SON, Albany. New- York. *;f* The same publishers have just issued The Illustrated An- nual Register of Rural Affairs for IS5S — a beautiful annual of all Agricultural and Horticullural mailers • with 130 engravings. Price 25 cents. For the sake of iiiln iducing it more widely in every locality, they will send one dozen copies, post-paid for TWO DOLLARS ! %S" AGENTS WANTED to sell the above works in all parts of the countr)'. March, 1858.— St. 104 THE GENESEE FARMER. Prices of Agricultural Products at the Principal Markets in the United States, Canada and England. NEW YORK, Feb. 23d. PHILADELP'IA, Feb. 23d. ROCHESTER, Feb. 23d. CHICAGO, Feb. 23d. TORONTO, Feb. 22d. LONDON, ENG., Feb. 1st. Beef per 100 lbs., do Qiess, fxT bbl.,.. Pork, per lOUlbs...... do mess, per 1>W.... Lard, per lb., Butter, do Cbeese, do Ffour, per b!>l., Wheat, per bush., Cora, shelled, per bu.. Eye, Oats, Barley, Clover Seed, Timothy Seed, Flax Seed, Hay, per tan, Wool, per lb., Wood, hard, i>er cord do do do do do do $9.00 @ G-SO 16.00 .09 4.30 1.00 .65 .09 .84 .70 4. SO 1.75 1.25 13.00 $10.00 7. .50 17.00 .10 .22 .osv 7.00' :.42>^ .70 .73 .47 .75 b.50 2.25 1.45 15.00 .45 $4.50 @ $6.00 $7.50 @ $8.00 16.00 17.00 .09 .WM .11 ,20 4.37 .95 .57 .70 5.75 1.30 .62 4.25 2.00 1.30 4.75 2.50 5.00 17.00 .09!^ .14 .06 4.00 .70 .50 .47 .30 .44 4.00 2.00 6.00 .10 .16 .08 5.00 1.00 .54 .60 .34 .50 4.50 2.75 $8.00 @ $9.00 $3.00 @ $5.25 $8.25 @ $15.00 6.00 9.00 .20 .30 4.50 5.50 14.00 .08 .10 3.00 .54 .&5 .50 .23 .25 4.25 1.50 .80 3.50 14.50 .08>i .18 .11 4.50 .90 .40 .25 .45 4.50 l.C2>!f 7.00 5.2j 12.00 6.00 12.75 10 50 15.00 .21 3.50 .70 4.2.5 1.00 .155 .60 .27 .30 .40 .55 .13 .19 .12 6.25 1.20 1.02 .90 .57 .78 .17 .32 .16 1.50 1.08 1.02 ,90 1.20 1.74 1.S6 5..50 6.00 S.OO 16.00 .15 4.00 4.50 .28 CONTENTS OF THIS NtTMBBR. Eoman Agricvilture 73 Legum!Jinu.s Plaut.s — Sainfoin " 74 SUrojKshire-Dowa Sheep 75 Hes«!aii Flv 76 Suggested "items— No. IS 76 Notes (or the Month, by S. W 77 What shall we platitV 7S More '• Notions" oa Foddering Slock 78 A Few Words on Manures 79 Sheep on the Praries. Butter Making. Cure for the Ague.. 79 Lisritt and Heavy Soils Compared 80 Large and Small Potatoes SO Early Potatoes. Test your Seed Corn SO Agriculture in Western Virginia SI California Quail 81 Management of Dairy Cows 82 GEXESEE FARMER PRIZE ESSAYS. Agricultural Papers Muck applied unmixed to the Soil Advantages of preparing tiro-wood in the fall for winter use.. Superphosphate of Lime as a Manure Best Method of Curing Timothy and other Gr.isses Kedainiing and Management of Boggy Land Fattening Slieep in \V inter Best System of Rotation on a Clayey Farm Best Svstem of Rotation on a^Sandy Farm Experiments in Feeding Cattle Cut Straw and Hay Plants for Hedges — their niar-agcment. Sec Use of MiiL'k in composts and as a litter for stables and yards,. , Management of Woodland Whieh are the best Horses to wear What is the cause of tlie failure of so many trees sent out by Nurserymen Cultivation i if Dwarf Pears Culture of Grapes in the open air Culture of Asp.iragus Cultivation of Rhubarb Cultivation of Tomatoes 91, Cultivation of Cabbage Cultivation of Watermelons Making and Preserving Feather Beds Domestic Duties Personal Habits at Home HORTICtTLTUUAL DEPARTMEXT. Transactions of the Ohio Pomological Society for 1S.57 95 Planting Dwarf Pear Trees 96 The White Pciplar or Abele Tree 90 I'ruit 0 rowers and S' icieties 9S Plants for Grape Borders 99 Training Osage Hedges— Correction 99 Raspberries on the Prarirics 99 editor's table. April Premiums 1*^0 New Tork State Agricultural Society 100 Prize l^ssays ^t^'O Inquiries and Answers 100 ILLCSTRATIONS. Flowers and leaf of Sainfoin 75 §hropshire-l")own Wether 76 California Quail 81 T-he White Poplar or Abele tree 97 RAEE EVERGREEN TREES, Of Catlforrila, Sic. "1 T7"E HAVE the pleasure of offering a moderate stock of the- V V following rare and desiralile trees of California. Oregon, &c. All are Seedlings, grown in pots, and in perfect health and vigor Can be forwarded any distance with the balls unbroken, Washingtonia, (Sequoia, Wellingtonia, &c.) The famous "big,i tree" of California- strong, bushy plants from 8 to 12 inches — this proves hardy here, CtjPKESsus Lawsoniana, 8 to 10 inches, one of the most elegant of this genus yet discovered, LiBocEDiius Dfxprrexs, of Torrey, (Thuya gigantea.) six inches. TiiiTYA macrocakpa, 8 to 15 inches. " artioulata, lit to 12 " Abies graxdis, 1 year Seedlings, well ripened, & will bear carriage. PiNus Bentuamiana, 2 year Seedlings. " Lambertiana 2 " " " TlTBERCULATA, 2 " " " jEfFREYr, 2 " " " MoNTIOOLA, 2 " " " Sauiniana, 2 " " C to S inches. For complete priced lists, we refer to our Catalogue No 2, which will be sent gratis to all who apjdv and enclose one stamp. KLLWANGER & BARKV, March, 1S5S. — It, Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N. T. SEEDS OF RARE AND POPULAR HARDY TREE.S AND SHRUBS. THOMAS MEEH.VN, of the Germantown Nurseries, near Philadelphia, i.'^sucs every May, a Catalogue of over 200 kinds, for fall and winter sales. He has yet on hand for spring sales: European Strawberry tree, 75 cLs,"per oz, HoUey leaved Berberry, (jiopular hardy evergreen,) 50 cents per oz. Cedar of Lebanon.cones , $2 per dozen. Japan Cedar, 50 cts. per 200 seeds. American Holly, 75 ct.s. per lb., or $2.50 per 10 lbs, Cali- fornia Laurel, Laurus(fegalis,) $4 per 100 seeds. Silver Fir. $1.,'>0 per lb. Cembran Pine,"$8.00 per lb. Sea Pine, $1.25 per pound. European Furze, or Whin, $1..'')0 per lb. Laburnum, $1.25 per lb. Honey Locust, .50 cts.per lb. Yellow Locust, $1 per lb. European Larch, $1.50 per lb. Nyssa Multiflora, (very handsome native tree,) $2 per lb. Negundo Californicum, (entirely new and beautiful.* $2 per 100 seeds. Japan Sophora, .50 cents per oz. Native and foreign Pear and other fruit seeds, at the lowest market rates. Trees, plants, and flowers of all kinds, at the lowest prices. March, 1858— 2t. GRACE GREENWOOD'S LITTLE PILGRIM!! THE CHEAPEST AND BEST READING FOR CHILDREN TO BE FOUND. PEICE ONLY 50 CENTS A TEAK, IN ADVANCE. ^^ SrEcrMEN Copies, containing T<'rms to Cliibs, and list of PEE.MirMS, will be sent free of charge. Write for one ! A<\i\rei», post-paid, LEANDER K. LIPPINCOTT, March, It 132 South Third St., Philadelphia, Pa. on. MILL. THE attention of Farmers in this and the adjoining Connties, ia invited to the subject of raising Flax for the seed. For that purpose, I am prepared to sup))lv tlie seed upon favorable terms. M. F. REYNOLDS, Manufacturer of Linseed Oil, White Lead and Zinc in oH — Sash, Doors and Blinds, 5 and 7 Buffalo street, Rochester, N. Y. March, 1S5S— 2U 5>*^=^:^^^_-^,.^>««*"' Vol. XIX, Sbcond Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., APRIL, 1858. No. 4. IXPERIMENTS WITH AKTIFICIAL FERTILIZEKS ON POTATOES. Last season, we made some experiments on potatoes, with various artificial fertilizers. The soil selected for the purpose was a light, sandy loam, which has been under cultivation for many- years, and has seldom if ever been manured. It was a two year old clover sod, plowed about the first of May, and harrowed till in excellent condi- tion. The potatoes were planted May 22, in hills throe and a half feet apart each way. Two or three potatoes were planted in each hill, according to size. Each experiment consisted of five rows, with one row between each plot left without manure. Hie following table will show the results of the exfteriments : 1 description of Manwres Uiod, and quaistitiee applie3 35 jfc III m a J, S ^?> 1 No manure 95 140 182 179 100 101 110 109 1S8 ? 45 8. 4. 800 lbs. superphosphate of lime 150 lbs. sulphate of ammonia and 800 lbs. 37 >•). 400 lbs. unleaclied wood ashes 5 «. 7. 8. 100 lbs. plaster, (gypsum, or sulphate of lime,) 400 lbs. unleached wood ashes and 100 lbs. plaster 400 lbs. unleached wood aihes, 150 lbs. sulphate of ammonia, and 100 lbs. plaster 6 15 14 9. SOO lbs. superphosphate of lime, 150 lbs. sulphate of ammonia, and 400 Ihs. 43 The superphosphate of lime was made expressly for experimental purposes, from calcined bones, ground fine and mixed with sulphuric acid in the proper proportions to convert all the phosphate of lime of the bones into the soluble superphosphate. It was a purely mineral article, free from ammonia jmd other organic matter. It cost about two and a half cents per pound. The sulphate of ammonia was obtained from London, at a cost of about sevea cents per pound. The ashes were from hard wood. The manures were deposited in the hill, covered with an inch or two of soil, and the seed then planted on the top. Where superphosphate of lime or sulphate of ammonia was used in conjunction with ashes, the ashes were first deposited in the hill and covered with a little soil, and then the superphosphate or sulphate of ammonia placed on the top and covered with soil before the seed was planted. Notwithstanding this precaution, the radn washed the sulphate of ammonia into the ashee, and decomposition, with loss of ammonia, was the result. This will account for the less yield on Plot 8 than on Plot 2. It would have been better to have sown the ashes broadcast, but some previous experiments with Peruvian guano on potatoes indi- cated that it was best to apply guano in the hill, carefully covering it with soil to prevent it injuring the seed, than to sow it broadcast. It was for this reason, and for the greater convenience in sowing, tliat the manures were applied in the hill. It is well known that Peruvian guano is an excel- lent manure for potatoes. In the same field on which the above experiments were made, two acres were planted with potatoes, in 1852, without any manure, and two acres with 300 lbs. of Peruvian guano per acre, sown broadcast. The two acres without manure produced 238 bushels, and the two acres dressed with guano 410 bushels, or an increase of eighty-six bushels per acre. All our commonly cultivated crops contain pre- citely thfe same elements; hut in very different proportions. Now, it is very desirable to know what element is required in the greatest quantity for wiy particular crop. We have repeatedly shown that an analysis of the plant affords no conclusive evidence on this point. We can obtain this inform- ation only by actual experiment with the different elements of crops. Barn-yard manure contains all the elements of plant-food ; and when an increase of produce is obtained by its use, we are unable to determine which element or elements had the most beneficial action. The same is true of Peruvian 106 THE GENESEE FAKMER. guano, which also contains more or less of all the elements of plants, though in very diflerent propor- tions from barn-yard manure. When we get an increase of 8(5 bushels of potatoes per acre from an application of 300 lbs. of Peruvian guano, we can not attribute the beneficial efiect, with any degree of certainty, to any particular ingredient. It is true that Peruvian guano contains a large quantity of ammonia and phosphate of lime, and a very small amount of the other ingredients of plant-food, and any marked eifcct produced is in all probability due to one or both of these substances; but to which, we can not determine, without resorting to experi- ments with each of them separately and combined. "We believe the above experiments are the first which have been made on potatoes, for the purpose of determining this interesting point. They were instituted not for the purpose of ascertaining whether sulphate of ammonia would be a profitable manure for potatoes, but whether ammonia was required for the maximum growth of the potato, and in what quantity. This fact being ascertained, we can use such manures as afford the largest quan- tity of ammonia at the cheapest rate. And the same is true of phosphate of lime, potash, or any other ingredient of plants. It will be seen, by reference to the table, that 150 lbs. of sulphate of ammonia per acre gave an increase of 45 bushels of potatoes ; 300 lbs. super- phosphate of lime, an increase of 37 bushels; and the two combined, on Plot 4, an increase of 84 bushels. The ammonia and the suj)erphosphate sown separately both give considerable increase, but they have a much greater effect when sown together, although the total increase is nearly the same from the same quantity of manure in both cases. The result shows that Peruvian guano — which contains both phosphate of lime and ammo- nia in considerable quantity — would be a much ])«tter manure for potatoes than either superphos- phate of lime or ammonia alone. These experi- ments therefore confirm the opinion of practical farmers in regard to the value of this manm'e for potatoes. The ash of potatoes consists of about 50 per cent, of potash, and this fact has induced many writers to recommend ashes as a manure for this crop. It will be seen, however, that in this instance at least they have very little effect, 400 lbs. giving an increase of only five bushels per acre. One hun- dred pounds of plaster per acre gave an increase of six busliels. Plaster and ashes combined, an increase per acre of 15 bushels. One fact is clearly brought out by these experi- ments : that this soil, which has been under culti- vation without manure for many years, is not, rela- tively to other constituents of crops, deficient in potash. Had such been the case, the sulphate of ammonia and supei-phosphate of lime — manure* which contain no potash — would not have given an increase of 84 bushels of potatoes per acre. There was sufficient potash in the soil, in an avail- able condition, for 179 bushels of potatoes per acre; and the reason why the soil without manure pro- duced only 95 bushels per acre, was owing to a deficiency of ammonia and phosphates. In enriching the soil for potatoes, therefore, tho principal object should be to provide a sufiicient quantity of ammonia and pliosphates. Practically^ we may confine our attention to the supply of am- monia ; for there is no economical way of providing this "spirit-like essence of the farm," which does not at the same time furnish an abundance of all the other elements required by the plant. Of all commercial manures, Peruvian guano is undoubt- edly the best and cheapest for potatoes. Of ordi- nary manures made on the farm, hen dung stands first, and hog manure next, inasmuch as hogs ar© fed on foods containing much nitrogen and their manure therefore contains much ammonia. The manure ought to be thoroughly decomposed, but it should be fermented in such a way as to prevent loss of ammonia and to retain all the salts of the urine. In the Oenesee Farmer for March, 1856, we stated that no plant enriches the soil so much for potatoes as red clover. Tliis deduction from practical expe- rience is fully sustained by the above experiments. A clover sod, plowed early in the spring and thor- oughly decomposed, would furnish the potatoes with a considerable quantity of ammonia, though probably not sufiicient for a maximum crop. We may remark that no difference could be per- ceived in regard to the soundness of the potatoes grown by the different manures. Putrescent ma- nures may have a tendency to increase the rot ; but when the manure is thoroughly decomposed and intimately incorporated with the soil, wo should apprehend no such effect. Lettuce aitd Out-Woems. — A corresponlfnit assures us that by scattering a few lettuce soods in different parts of his garden, he is never troubie^l with the cut- worm. The worms get under the leaves of the lettuce and live on them, and do not touch any other plants. Scatter the lettuce seed freely, and when the plants get to be in the way, puU them up. Thb editor of the Southern Planter states that several instane«i have been brought to his notice where cattle have died from eating corn stalks that had been chewed by hogs. Have any of our reader^ obserT«d tho same effect ? THE GEITESEE FARMER. 107 CUTTmG POTATOES FOR PLANTING. After all that has been written on the sulyect, it is still a disputed point whether it is better to plant large or small .potatoes, whole j^wtatoes or sets. The -fleshy matter of the potato unquestionably fui-nishes food for the young plant- and, on theo- retical grounds, it might be supposed that the larger the potatoes — the more fleshy matter there is to each eye — the more vigorous would be the early :growth of the plant. This is probably true so far as the growth of leaves and stems is con- eerned, and it may be of seed (balls) also ; but it must be borue in mind, iii applying general princi- ples to the cultivation of the potato, that the object is not to develop the natural growth of the plant, but to increase the formation of tubers — of the underground '"'■fgouty iiKinchesy The present habit of the plant is the result somewhat of artificial treittment, and in order to retain thJs habit, we must resort to those practices which have been found fi-om experience t-o induce the formation of .tubers, rather than to those which ai'e de. TnAEs. Translated by William Shaw Esq,, and C, \V, Johnson, Esq, New York : A. 0. Moose. 110 THE GENESEE FARMER. and it can not therefore be regarded as a reliable expounder of the rai/onaZe of agricultural practices; yet it contains the observations of an accurate and scientific experuuenter, and is well worthy of care- ful study. LiEBiG has indeed recently sneered at the " empyricism of Thaee;" but since the failure of the pet mineral manure theory of the great Ger- man chemist, the writings ot such practical men as TiiAEB are attracting, as they deserve, more atten- tion. Thaer was born in Hanover, in the year 1752; studied as a physician, and became eminent in his profession. He married in 1786, bought "a small house and a large garden," and soon became celebrated as a horticulturist. He studied the best works on agriculture, purchased new land, imported the best English agricultural implements, and intro- duced the culture of clover, cabbage, carrots, etc., in conjunction wdth stall-feeding, and soon made his little farm the admiration of his numerous visi- tors. He made an agricultural tour through Eng- land, France, Denmark, and Germany. His treatise on British and German Husbandry, which a])peared shortly afterwards, added to his reputation. The King of Prussia induced him to establish an agri- ciiltural school on a farm near Berlin. Here he made many valuable experiments, and ultimately brought his farm, which was naturally a poor one, to the highest state of fertility. He was even more successful in his efforts to improve the quality of tlie Avool of his flock of sheep. He was the editor of an agricultural paper, wrote a great many useful books, and died, crowned with honors, in the year 1828. The writings of such a man command atten- tion. His Principles of Practical Agriculture is his best work. His directions, on account of the Sees .dissimilarity in the climate, can be followed by American farmers with more safety than those of any Eiiglish writer. It is, on the whole, a work which we can most cordially recommend to all intel- ligent American farmers. TO BB CONTII^tTBD. Hat Caps akd Stack Coveks. — "G.," of Lee county, 111., asks for imtbrniation about "Stack Covers." A writer in the Jiew Enghmd Farmer, wh© has used cotton cloth "hay cajis" for several years, says that painting or oiling it is of no use — that they wili «hed raiii just as well witliout it. For covering coeks of hay, and sjiocks of wheat or oats, or stooks of corn, he would have cloth "four feet wide, torn into squares, witli a loop in each corner, and four small sticks about twenty inches long — one to hold each corner." For stacks they would need to be of larger size, and this would require two or three breadths sown together, with several loops on each side. B. — Niag. Co.^ N. Y. Ik wet weather, the necks of working oxen are apt to become sore. To prevent this, rub a little tallow on thd voke aad bows. IMPROVEMENT OF IMPOVERISHED LAND. FrtiExn Harkis: — Waiving for the present the further discussion of analytical chemistry applied to the study of soils, allow me to congratulate your readers on receiving the very instructive article on " Natural and Artificial Drainage," which forms the leader in the February number of the Farmer^ and to present for their consideration a few remarks on the improvement of impoverished land. Mr. Edward Billixgslet, of Zanesville, lllinofs, says, in your last issue, that "the system of farm- ing at the West has hitherto been an exhausting one, as though the fertility of the soil would last forever." He also' calls attention to the fact that, while summer-fallows answer an excellent purpose on the clay lands of Europe, they are not adapted to the sandy, black mold, of this country ; and bo might have added, that our hot, tropical, and semi- tropical summers, over a large part of the United States, are not congenial to any large amount of plowing, or other tillage. Where the summer heat is much less, as in Great Britain, and the aggregate of sunshine not only less, but feebler while it lasts, it requires at least twice as much tillage to decom- jiose vegetable mold, and decompound earthy min- erals, as is needed in this simny clime. The most prominent and injurious error in American agricul- ture is the universal practice of going over too much surface with the plow. Nature never uses the plow, nor any other thing of like influence, in forming a rich mold, or in making a soil that abounds in all the earthy part of our most valuable crops. If a farmer turns over his manure heaps several timea duj-ing tlie spring, summer, and autumn, and per- mits rain and sunshine to fall upon them, the organife matter will rapidly ferment, rot, and dissolve, and disappear; and in a few years, the manure, if thus treated, will be dissipated. The stirring of the soil by the implements of tillage, increases the growth of plants mainly because it intensifies those chemical actions which dissolve their food. After the food of plants is dissolved from the disintegration of mold and minerals by plowing and hoeing, the law of general distribution diftuses these elements of fer- tility as far and wide as moving water and moving atmosphere will carry them. If there were no natu- ral agencies for the universal diffusion of plants over islands and continents, and, consequently, for th« equal diffusion of their appropriate aliment, then there could be no waste, locally, from the decom- position of manure, and no loss of fertility by plow- ing alone. But when one transforms his manur« into gases and soluble salts, he must be careful, or no inconsiderable share of these will be carried, in ever-moving air and water, beyond his premises. It is the diffusion of the organic elements accumu- lated in swamps and rich prairies that poisons tha atmosphere for human respiration in the immediata vicinity, and causes malarious diseases. The result* of the first breaking of large prairies illustrate not alone local phenomena, but the operation of natuFal laws that equally extend over the whole globe. Of all the animals that subsist on the fruits of th« earth, man alone tills it, and he alone impoverislu.!* the land that supports him. To avoid the needless dissipation and consump- tion of fertility in all virgin soils, and in all others, it is important not to cultivate more land than is eti'ictly required to meet the real wants of the cuM- THE GENESEE FARMER. Ill TStor and the public. To illustrate my meaniuf^, I will state that there are about one liundred mil- lion acres of good cotton lands in the Southern 8tates, forty millions of which have been gone over with the plow so often, and so exhaustingly, as to be now turned out as utterly worthless for tillage purposes. A continuance of the same policy of extending cultivation as the soil is impoverished, will reduce the other sixty million acres to a similar condition by the close of the present century. In this quarter, where a great commercial staple is grown for export, and where State and Congress lands cost next to nothing, to rejuvenate old planta- tions appears almost as difficult as to make an old man into a smart boy. We have no large markets for fat sheep, cattle, and hogs, as ^^fr. Joiixstox and others in New York liave, to encourage us to produce a full supply of home-made manures ; and Peruvian guano has cost $80 a ton delivered in Athens, the past year ; and other commercial fertilizers are equally high, as compared with their value. So long as military lands and others may be bought at 80 or 90 cents Ml acre, and the very best that belong to the Fed- eral Government at $1.25, who does" not see that planters can make far more money to wear out large plantations and purchase more fresh land, than to iHiy manure, or make it, to keep up the virgin fruit- fulness of the soil ? IIow far will $1,000 go toward putting thirty-five loads per acre, of good stable or rard manure, over 800 acres of worn out land? Mrho will haul and spread the manure for a dollar and a quarter per acre ? Three years ago, I moved upon the farm where I now reside, which contains some 500 acres of old fields. One of the least worn was planted in corn, fairly cultivated, and a third of the crop came to me, which was not over a bushel to the acre. Selecting the best two acres I could find in a forty aero field, cultivated in corn, I had it well plowed, dressed with thirty bushels of good house ashes, and sown with two bushels of wheat. It grew •oine twelje inches high, and turned out about as much grain as was sown. Four acres adjoining wei-e sown in barley, without fertilizers of anv kind, and produced nothing. Other fields sown "in oats and rye, when I came upon the place, did very little better than my barley and wheat. I fenced in a new field of seventy-five acres which ha« rested acme fifteen years, and it affords grass (broomsedge) enough to keep five cows, a yoke of oxen and a horse six months in a year, with a little grain. As the negroes and mules did not earn ten cents a day by onltivating these old fields, they were taken by their owner to the rich and cheap lands at the soutliwest, whither so many thousands are going every year. It is useless to talk about "renovating crops" grown _ on land too poor to produce cow peas, rye, or Indian corn, in a good corn climate. The true remedy for the evils that accrue from plowing and hoeing the soil until all its organic matter and solu- We minerals are dissolved out, is to raise crops for manure long before the land is exhausted. Unless the readers of the Farmer expect to abandon their fwesent farms at some future day, they should learn wisdom from the uniform experience of all cultiva- tors, with but few exceptions, who have fairly worked out to the bitter end the practice of excea- •iT»- tiUage, joined with defective husbandry. A badly developed civilization, and misapplied indus- try, demand more of American soil than it can pos- sibly give and perpetuate its present fruitfulness. Mr. John Johnston sees this, and seeks to avoid the general impoverishment of the fertile region of Western New York, by urging its farmers to resort at once "to high feeding and high manuring." If I had the water that runs off in his under drains, to pass through land here that will not now yield over two or three bushels of corn per acre, I have no doubt it would soon produce thirty bushels per acre. I am confident of such a result from the fact that wherever a natural spring issues from the ground on the plantation, no matter how poor the soil may be in its vicinity, the water that flows out in a little stream uniformly greatly enriches all the earth in any degree irrigated by it. On evaporating tlie clear spring water to dryness, it yields both com- bustible, organic matter, and mineral salts, or the dissolved food of agricultural plants. By clearing oft' all bushes, briars, and trees, along the borders of the several "branches," (as little streams of water are called in this country,) ditching them where it is necessary, and turning the water out of its natural channels, as far as practicable, to increase the irrigation of the impoverished soil, I have no doubt that a full supply of corn and cheap manure might be obtained from these perennial fountains to enrich ultimately, aided by wise husbandry, the whole farm. No part of it is so far exhausted that it will not produce old field pines and mulberries ; and the leaves of the latter make the best of leaf manure. Where land is cheap and abundant, and witlial thin and easily impoverished, forest culture is far better than to cut down the valuable timber on thousands and tens of thousands of acres, scourge the soil under a burning sun for a few years in cotton or corn culture, and then abandon it to repeat the same operation elsewhere. Moving water which has passed over and through more or less vegetable matter on the ground, as well as through large masses of earth, assisted by that which drops from the clouds, and by the growth of forest trees, sup- plies the farmer with the cheapest known means for the improvement of poor soils. Without buying a dollar's worth of manure, and with a garden spot that would not produce ten bushels of corn per acre, and fields such as I have described, I have raised corn, meat, milk, butter, and vegetablas, beyond the wanus of my family, by simply looking for their elements where others did not see them — in run- ning water and in the subsoil. Nevertheless, I have done next to nothing, compared with what might be done by one who knew that his bread and butter depended on his farming industry. By saving all nightsoil^ soapsuds, stable and other manure, and ttiking pains to augment the aggregate quantity by the free use of forest leaves, I have made a little land highly productive ; and to one who seeks retirement and comfort, more than fame or riches, a small area is more desirable than a large plantation. Our Anglo-Saxon mania for farms of the amplest dimensions, and whole continents to overrun and desolate with the plow instead of the sword, is leading us into the most perilous tempta- tions and follies. A wise government would not entice millions to wear out their paternal acres in the old States, with tha oxpootatiou that Congress 112 THE GENESEE FARMER. would sell them richer acres somewhere this side of sundown for a less sum than it will cost to fence their old homesteads. A general knowledge of the true principles of agriculture would soon correct most of the evils that now afflict American society, such as over- trading, over-banking, and reckless speculations in lands, rail road and other stocks, city property, and lottery gambling. It is by robbing the soil of its natural fruitfulne^ss, that onr population has the means to feed and foster habits of idleness, luxury, vice, crime, and shamelessness, which could not exist if every cultivator performed the labor of making full recompense for all that the earth gives him. A fair restitution to the soil of the elements of fertility, would require more honest industry on the part of the community ; would keep far more of the wealth of individuals and of States in farm- ing lands, where it is safest and most useful to the republic and mankind at large. There would be less extravagance in cities and villages, and more real wealth and power in the country. A worn out farm is much like the dry bones of a dead horse — useful mainly as showing the extinction of life, and what has been by the mechanism of a curious organization. Some of the fossil remains of an old tobacco plantation exhausted before the Revolution, are as wortliy of preservation in a museum as Dr. Frantvlin's printing press in the Patent Office. If one were to commence in New Jersey, near the Hudson river, and travel south to the center of Georgia, inquiring of farmers and planters all the way what substances had been most useful in reno- vating partially exhausted soils, he would be told that shell marl and green sand had proved most available and efficient, in addition to the resources of the land it-self. It would extend this article to An unreasonable length to cite authorities on this point; but at another time I will bring together many facts that :ap{>ear to me important as a part of the agricultural history of tlie central and south- ei-n Atlantic State*. The rocks, soils, and climates of the extensive region more immediately subject to the influence of -the Atlantic ocean and the Gulf Stream, diti'er widtiiy from those of tlifi still more expanded country lying west of the AUegany mountains. Different locaKties have very unlike advantages find resources for the improvement of arated and depastured fields; and every farmer ought to study the fertilizers, of whatever sort, within his reach. a. lee, At^ieTU, Oa., FeVy 12, 1866. Crops after Buckwheat, — I would say to Mr. McAlley, in partial reply to his inquiry, ithat corn very seldom succeeds well after buckwheat. A neighbor wl^ sowed barley on a lot adjoining ours, a part of which had been sown to this crop, found the buckwheat ground to yield only about half as much as that previously in corn, though otherwise treated alike. I can not say what crops do best, for my experience in buckwheat is limited, I hope others will give their views on the question. A Young Farmer, Simple but Essential, — Putt he feed box on the right side of the manger, and when you put the horse in, he will keep his own side, and not crowd against you, CrKue Avert — Camptown, Fa. SUGGESTED ITEMS. -No. 19. Winter, judging by the snow and the level of the thermometer, was only postponed awhile, and we have it now in earnest. Let us be thankful for, and improve its opportunities. ^^ Roman Agriculture'''' shows us how truly Solo- mon declared, "There is nothing new under the sun," and that nmch may be learned from the wis- dom of the ancients. Give us more on the subject. " What shall we plant ? " is a question of general interest, just now. What crop promises to be most profitable this year ? We can not say, but go for " mixed husbandry" and "diversified crops," with your * correspondent. This is the only true policy. "J[ few Words - tains valuable suggestions; and it were well for the country if they were generally adopted and prao- ticed by our farmers. I have known, in my own experience, the entire success, in eradicating the thistle, of a thorough summer fallowing — plowing and dragging five or six times. The season of ray experiment was a very dry one. No thistles weie seen in the lot after that operation, within my knowledge, covering a period of some six years. I would suggest a method I have lately practiced with equal success, and at less cost of labor. It is to plow the thistle patch or lot in the tall, early in November; then, in the spring, go over the ground with a cultivator or gang-plow, and repeat tbe operation two or three times, as circumstances maj require — that is, as often as the thistles show them- selves— until tlie 20th of June, when the ground should be sown with buckwheat at the rate of on© bushel or more to the acre, to secure early shadinu of the ground. This done, and you have disposed of the thistles and almost every other foul weed, and may have a good crop of buckwheat. After harvesting the buckwheat, it will be well to go over the ground with a gang-plow, to make moro certain the destruction of the thistles, and to sprout the buckwheat that may be scattered on the ground, that it may not infest the next spring's crop. I hav« found oats or barley to do very well as a crop to succeed the buckwheat. I performed this operation, the past season, on six acres of ground badly infested with thistles, and harvested 225 bushels of the best quality of bucfc- wheat, beside about 30 bushels that must have beea wasted by reason of the incessant rains at the tiinft of harvesting and threshing. Not a sign of a this^o was to be seen on the ground this last fall. e. Calves which come early are to be preferred ft^ rearing. Those which come late, frequently do nol acquire sufficient strength to bear the cold of wint^. THE GEITESEE FARMER. 115 CUTTING GBASS OR GRAIN BY MACHINERY. Editors Genesee Farmer: — Among the most noticeable articles in the .January number of the Genesee Farmer^ is the prize essay of Mr. David Street, of Salem, Ohio, on the " Advantages of Cutting Grass or Grain by Machinery." So important a proposition as that which proposes to abandon the scythe and the sickle for some won- drous machine not yet put to the test by the great majority of our formers, it seems to me ought to be talked over a little by somebody upon the other side of the question; and I really hope that our agricultural friend out toward the backwoods of Ohio will have no objection to these observations, even if the cft'ect should be to persuade people to stick to the scythe, and let the labor-saver go for a few years longer at least. To make out a case, farmer Street takes first, for an example and illustration, the assertions of a couple of tarmers, A. and B., who have got each eix acres of grass to cut and get into tlie barn, lie allows A.., with two hands, (three in all,) to cut and put up in the old way one and a half acres in a day, or tlie whole six acres in four days ; Avhile B., who uses a mowing machine and employs the same num- ber of hands, will finish two acres and a half the first day, a little more the next, and finish the six acres in a coujile of days. Mr. S. is in favor of tlie mower, therefore. He says he speaks from fair experience, and of course claims for it all that the case will allow, and we will let his estimate for the six acres stand for the present ; but his calculations upon the time it would take poor farmer A. to worry off his six acres, need mending as much as would his new mowing machine after the first acci- dent, and can be mended far easier — for he might gii£ss again, while the mower would have to be carried to the blacksmith shop, if it could be got tliere, or, wliich would be about as easy, the black- amith shop moved into the field. In the town of Oxford, or in the State of New York, I suppose we have no foster or better inow- ors than anywhere else ; neither do I sui)pose that our grass is better or poorer than the grass in other places; and here three average hands will in one day cut down with their scythes, make, get up, and put into the barn, three acres of good grass in a day, with much ease; and instances are common where extra driving hands do about double that amount in a single day. This beats our Ohio friend's calculations altogether; and to make his case stand at all good, he will have to guess again. Upon the same principle of reasoning throughout, in regard to the saving of labor, time, and money, and some otiier advantages in favor of the mower, Mr. S. finally claims that the case in favor of the mower over the scythe is well made out ; but, seri- ously, we can quicker, plainer, and better, make Qijt ours. In the State of New York, I shall put down the average size of farms at about 100 acres, and the average of mowing or meadow land at 25 or 30 acres to each. To begin haying, farmer B. goes off 10, 15, or 20 miles, and buys a mowing machine at a cost of $125 or $150, (see calculations of former Street, of Ohio, fcr the price of one,) and begins upon his 25 or 30 acres, with his two men, and finishes it in eight or tea days (see same authority) at an expense of about $35 — horse hire, wear and tear, etc., not included ; while farmer A., here in New York, with the same number of hands, without a mowing machine, will, in the same time, mow down, get up, and get into the barn, his 25 or 30 acres of gaass, while the machine man's is only cut and put up in good order, according to good authority. We allow both farm- ers to use a horse-rake, of course. But the above is nut all. We have seen the first cost of the mowing machine of farmer B. to be, at the lowest price, $125, the interest on wliich, at 7 per cent., would be $8.75, to which must be added at least $2 a year for rep:iirs, and we have got for the first year the sum of $10.75 on the wrong side for tliose who mow with tlieir hoives. "Nor is this all;"' for the length of time which a mowing machine will usually last, a;cording to good author- ity, is not more than about ten or a dozen years, when the first cost of $125, with interest on the money, repairs and all, ai-e all gone; while tlie expense for scytlics for a life time would not eqiuil half so large an amount. And this is not all. We have seen, from observa- tion and experience, that the introduction of patent- right "labor-saving" machines is too too often the means of causing an unwonted degree of idleness with those who before were steady and industrious at their work, and of begetting false notions for leisure hours and days. This I believe to be true in regard to mowing machines in particular. Several of my acquaintances have recently bought them, and from that time they seemed to think their haying was half done. They are in no hurry to begin, and can go hunting and fishing, and go up to the village oftener than ever; and while there, they talk long and loud, to everyone they see, upon the subject of mowing; and sometimes, before coming home again, get so mnch dmon — I don't mean the grass — that tliey have as much as they can do, with good help, to get along with it. And then at last, when they guess it is going to be good weather, they go to slashing down the grass. But it often liappens, when a whole field is cut down, that they have waited till good weather is past, and half a dozen acres are caught in the rain, with the mower and all — for nobody ever undertook to get one under cover, I believe. And then comes the good time to look into the kitchen of farmer B., or as soon as the greater part of the people of the neighborhood are ready to go into the house, which will not be until the men have assembled around the mower, to examine it in each of its parts, to point out defects, suggest improvements, etc., etc. Nor is this quite all. Farmer S. anticipates a time when help may be so scarce that to procure sufticient of it would be difficult, if not impossible. If that time has ever been, it is not likely to occur again, at least in the State of New York ; certainly not at a time when thousands of laborers are com- plaining of not being employed, and are not far removed from care and want. How much better, then, to give employment to our honest, hard- working neighbor, who labors for his bread, than to send ofl^ our money to some princely proprietor of a thundering machine establishment, to a foreign country even it may be, to obtain that which at most is of exceeding doubtful benefit to the farmer. And lastly, we wish to say to our good friend in Ohio, that if it has never been permitted him to 116 THE GENESEE FARMER. visit an old-fashioned hay field in the good county of Chenango, it would almost repay him to come on a pilgrimage here, where one of our old-fashioned farmers would, with his two boys, and a school girl or two to help just before night, mow down and get into the barn as much grass in a day as he would with his machine in Ohio, and perhaps more; and aft^r work, pitch the mowing machine, if one should be left in the way, into the street at night. E. A. BUNDY. Ooford, Chmcmgo Co., N. Y., Jan'ij, 185& EAPE-ITS USES. Eds. Gkneseb Farmer: — During the past sum- mer, rape has been grown to a considerable extent in this county ; and, judging from my own experi- ence, it is a plant that in some measure will prove to be a valuable substitute for vetches, so useful to farmers in England, though not adapted to our Canadian climate. I purchased seed in the spring, intending to pre- pare a piece of land properly for its reception, but the excessively wet weather prevented this. How- ever, I sowed a few drills that had been prepared for turnips, leaving the plants six inches apart in the drills. This grew three to four feet high, and completely covered the ground in about seventy days. One month from the time it was cut, there was quite a second growth from the stumps. On the 8th of July, I mowed about two acres tliat had been enclosed in the spring for the purpose of adding it to my fruit and vegetable garden this fall, and, a-s it could not bo pastured, or mowed the second time to advantage,' I plowed it, harrowed it well, and sowed it with rape on the 15th, covering it with a bush. The wet weather was favorable to ita growth, and it soon covered the ground. Where it happened to be sown thin, (for it was sown too thick on the whole,) I should say there were four tons per acre. It has been very profitable to me in forwarding my fat cattle and keeping milch cows in good order for winter. I killed one cow fed on that alone, which was very fat. Two others and a pair of oxen were fed on it until the middle of last month, when they were stabled, and since then have been fed on hay twice a day, and white turnips, tops and roots together, three times. They get no water or exercise. I shall follow the white turnips with Swedish, then mangels and sugar beets. If they continue another month as they have done the last, I shall have fat cattle in a short time. Next summer, if spared, I intend to grow it both for feed and green manure in the following manner : The land manured and plowed this fall ; next spring it miist be cultivated and drilled as for turnips, using the horse-hoe to keep clean. By the time pastures get bare and the aftermath is growing, it will furnish an abundance of green fodder for the oows and sheep ; and before the end of harvest, it will grow the second time as much as can be plowed under. This, together with the large fibrous roots, must certainly furnish a great deal of nutriment for the succeeding crops. To small farmers, like myself, it must, I think, prove invaluable, as we can atFord to summer fallow but little ; neither can we allow much to be used as pasture. js. w. s. Woodeiock, a W., Btc, 1857. ASHES AS A MANUBE. Eds. (ienesee Farmer ; — What a mass of inform- ation might be obtained on all the details of agricul- tural practice, would each one who has experimented — in the use of difiercnt fertilizers, for instance — communicate that experience to the public. Ashes we believe to be of material benefit to all dry soils, and to all crops grown upon them. Some years since, we applied a dressing of about twenty- five bushels per acre, to a portion of gravelly loam soil, in grass at the time, to the manifest improve- ment of that crop. Afterward, it was plowed up and planted to corn and potatoes, and there was a marked diflference in the growth and product, com- pared with portions of the field unashod. The potato vines were much more thrifty — far less injured by the drouth, and the crop fair and good — more than double that on like soil to which no ashes were applied. The corn, also, was excellent. The effect of the application of ashes in quantity is felt for several years. I saw very little diminu- tion in the dilferei ce above noticed, the last year, though the whole field was manured freely and planted to diflferent garden crops. Any one can see the long continued effect of ashes, in the fertility following the burning of log heaps in the field. As a top-dressing for corn, about two t^ble- spoonfuls to a hill, applied as soon as the corn is fairly above ground, has been found of great benefit . We would not forego their use, even if we coujd get twenty-five cents a bushel for all the ashes we made. We have noticed, again and again, a plain difterence in the yield of corn fields dressed and undressed ; and believe that ashes hasten the matu- rity as well as increase the product of the crop enough to pay double that amount in return for the application. In the garden, we always use ashes freely ; and our garden will compare favorably with other farm- ers' gardens. For all kinds of roots and vines, they are excellent fertilizers, and assist in preventing the depredations of various bugs and worms, so plenti- ful in summer, and so often injuring materially the various vegetables. Other manures should be used, and used freely ; but ashes will assist in bringing their virtues into the state most available to the crop, as well as having a beneficial effect upon the soil. We have often noticed mellow spots where ashes had been freely applied, both in the case of log heaps before noticed and in instances where they were spread upon the surface of dry, light land. a. b. Milking Young Cows. — It is said that young cows, the first year they give milk, may be made, with careful milking and good keeping, to give milk almost any length of time deemed desirable; but that if they are allowed to dry up early in the fall, they will, if they have a calf at thd same season, dry up at the same time each succeeding year, and nothing but extra feed will prevent it, and that but for a short time. Lice on Calves. — I have discovered a method of ridding calves of lice. Give them flax seed. I am wintering eight calves; they became very lousy, and I fed them half a pint at a time for two days, and the oil from it drove the lice all off. ClBCS Ayebt. — Camptown, Pa., March, 1858. THE GENESEE FARMER, 117 NOTES FOB THE GENESEE FABHER. Tomato Rack. — I have tried to imitate the cut in the June number of the Farmer for last year ; and akhougk I have not sucoeedetl in a full imita- tion, it has passed my expectations. I have been -so well pletused Avith it that I fihall grow all my tx)inatoes in that way, and say to others, try it, and you will like it. Corn'. — Daring the past summer I have observed the diferent growth of corn, in my field of about three acres. About one-fourth of this was a Timo- thy sward that had laid in meadow for six or eight years, tOie remainder a wheat stubble. The latter was dressed with a pretty good coat of barn-yard manure in the spriiig, and a part with lime. The lime, however, had l)ut little etfect. There was also ©Ee load of manure applied to one corner of •the sward. This produced the best in the lot. After the corn was fairly up, part of both pieces was dressed with plaster and ashes. This made a materiiil difference in favor of the ashes and plaster. Part of the sward was plowed deep enough to turn up about two inches of the subsoil. Of the balance, no more than the top soil was turned up. This latter jwoduced the best corn. Bat I do not wish to be understood as opposing deep plowing — I am decidedly in favor of it; but the observing farmer should always study the nature of his soil, and the manner he intends cultivating it afterwards. When we intend plowing only once m the spring for spring crops, I think it would be better not to turn up much of the subsoil, unless giving it a top-dressing of well-decomposed manure. I intend manuring my corn ground (sward land) in the fall of the year, and to plow in the spring -only a few days before planting, with a dressing of from fifteen to twenty-five bushels of lime to the acre. Then, in the fall, I will turn up several inches of the subsoil, and sow to oats in the spring, followed with rye in the fall and clover in the spring, the clover to be plowed down the second year for "wheat and timothy, and this to be plowed for corn when convenient, as at first, with a dressing of lime •and manure. h. altfather. Berlin, Somerset Co., Pa. SALT YOUB STOCK Messrs. Editors. — I have purchased a large nnmber of sheep for different markets. Some few years since, a gentleman rode with me several days, and I told him, before we saw the sheep, uniforiuly whether I could buy or not. He asked me how I told, observing tlmt it was true, but he wished the secret, I osbserved that when I asked a man to show me hifi sheep, he would get some salt to call his sheep, so that we could see them ; and when a man took two fingers and a thumb to salt witli, and turn over a chip or stone to sprinkle it upon, I could not buy his sheep ; I had rather turn back than go furtlier, although we went and looked for ourselves. I saw by the two fingers and thumb, the whole man ; — his sheep were poor, he fed in the same way, and «et high value on all that he fed. But if a man took a handful of salt and salted plentifully, we could buy his she'. Y. ens it, but add it after the eggs are beaten. Lemon can be used mstead of brandy — ^half tea-spoonful. Half Pat Pudding. — Four ouEoes of suet, four ounces of flour, four ounces of bread cnambs, four ounces of raisins, four ounces of currants, half pint of sweet milk, two table-spoonfuls of molasses. — Mix all well together, and boil in a mould for three hours. Wine or brandy sauce. Swiss Pudding. — Put layers of crumbs of bread, and stewed apples, and sugar and small pieces of butter between, until the dish is full ; let the bread crumbs be the uppermost layer ; then pour over it a tea-cup of water, and bake. Eat with a butter and sugar sauce. Any kind of frnit may be usod for this. A Good Receipt for Citkox Preserves. — Pre- pare the rind by taking off the two outer coats, cut into any form you desire ; boil very hard thirty or forty minutes in alum water, which may be toler- ably strong; then put your citron out of tlie alum water into some clear, cold water; then change them again, and let them boil hard in water ; then take from the fire again and lot them be again covered with cold water, and allow them to stand over night. In the morning make a syrup, allow- ing one and a half pounds white sugar to a pound of fruit. When your syrup is ready, add your fruit, and let them boil until entirely done and of a green color. When done, add a little race ginger and lemon. The following is better than the above : — Good Receipt for Citron Preserves. — Prepare the rind, cut into any form you deaire ; boil very hard thirty or forty minutes in alum water toler- ably strong; take them from the alum water and put into clear, cold water, allow them to stand over night ; in the morning, change the water, and put them on to boil ; let them cook until they have en- tirely clianged color, and are (]uit« soft ; then make your syrup, allowing one and a half pounds of white sugar to one pound of fruit ; then add your fruit, which needs but little more cooking. Race ginger, or lemon, flavors nicely. This receipt is the best I ever saw. Currant Marmalade. — Take a quart of currant juice, sweeten to your taste, thicken with ground Vice, boil it well, stirring all the while when boil- ing, pour into mould. When cold, eat with cream. Cottage Pudding. — Two tea-cups of sugar, five table-spoonfuls of butter ; stir together two eggs beat light, two t^a-cupfuls of milk, one quart of flour, one tea-spoonful of soda, two tea-spoonfuls cream-tarter, spice to your ta.ste. Bake in a deep dish or pan. Wine sauce. These are good and well-tried receipts. Oah Spring, near Oiiminnati, Ohio, C. M. GANO. A WOED TO FAEKERS WIVES ABOUT CHICKENB. Eds. Genesee Farmer: — The ladies, I see, are sendincr us all sorts of excellent receipts for making cakes, pies, puddings, etc., but I do not recollect that they have said one word about chickens. Now, I think no farmer's table complete without plenty of chickens and eggs ; and these we can not have, unless we take good care of them. Do not leave them to the care of the ioys, or even your husband — for the boys are apt to neglect them, and your husband has plenty of other things to attend to — but take care of them yourself, and take good care of them, too, and you will find they will amply repay you for your trouble. Give them a warm house and plenty of grain, such as corn, wheat, oats, etc., plenty of good water, and in winter, a box of lime, sand, gravel, and aslies, to play in.— Give them also a little meat, chopped fine, every two or three days, crumbs from the table, boiled potatoas, etc., and my word for it, you will have nice fat hens and plenty of good fresh eggs, much better than any put down in lime, salt, or bran. — Some ladies may think this too much trouble, but I don't, and I would say to snch, try it. GaUna, Laporte Co., Iiul. BETSEY A. DAVIS. 130 THE GENESEE FARMER. Wb hope none of our agents will forget that the time for competition for our April Premiums expires on the 15th of April. There is yet time to secure a prize. Do not neglect to ask your neighbors once more to subscribe. Every additional subscriber increases your chances. The Premiums are worth trying for. There is little competi- tion. Farmers are as likeW to subscribe now as a month or two ago. Gire them another opportunity. The Gene- «M Fanner is not a « of Agriculture. —The fifth annual Report of L. C. Flint, the able Secre- tary of the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, has appeared, and, as usual, abounds with matter of a useful and practical character. We shall notice more at lengtb in a future number. Transactions of the New York Siatk AaBicuLTUBAi. Society, for 1856.— We are indebted to. the Secr«tary, B. P. Johnson, Esq., for this work. It is not a.s Itirge as usual, but none the less valuable for the exclusion of mnch matter which has encumbered previous volumes. Mainb Board of Agriculture. — The Second Annual Report of this Society is exceedingly creditable to Secr^ tary Goodalb. It contains 230 pages, handsomely illua- tiated with cuts of improved stock, farm buildings, etc., and filled wish much useful and interesting matter. THE GENESEE FARMER. 138 Ifew AdTertisements this HontL Sweet Potuto PluiU — 0. 8. Murray &. Son., Twenty Mile Stand, Warren Co., Ohio. Hereford Cattle— 9. M. Ely, Kipley, Chauta\iquc Co., N. Y. '•The Commercial Crisis — lis Cause and Cure "— SsUlt it Koss, Montreal, C. E. Dwarf Pear Troes — T. G, Yeomsns, "Walworth, Wayno Co., N. Y. Oioice Seeds by Mail— Geo. F. Needham, Buffalo, X. Y. To Nurserymen, Fruit Growors, Dealers in Trees, etc — O. W. Eastman, Kochester, N. Y. Albany Tile AYork.s— C. &. "W. McCammon, Albany, N. Y. lieal Estate for Sale — B. H. Eobinson, Lancaster Court IIouso, Virginia. Dansville Somlnary. Wooden Water Pipe— I. S. Ilobbie it Co., 44 Arcade, Roches- ter, N. Y. Isftbelia and Catawba Grape Vinei — R. T. Underbill, M. D. Horse Powers and Thrashing Machines — Wheeler, Melick it Co., Albony, N. Y. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure 'insertion in the Faumrr, mast be received aa early as the HHh of the previous month, and be of such a character as to b« of interest to farmers. Tiikms — Two Dollars for every hun- dred words, each insertion, paid in advancb. ISABELLA AND CATAWBA GEAPE VINES, OF PROPER age for fortninj Vineyards, cultivated from, and containing all the good qualities which the most improved eultivation for over eighteen years has conferred on the Croton Point Vineyards, are offered to' the public. Those who may pur- chase will receive such inslnictlons for four years, as will enable tliem to cultivate the Grapo with entire success, provided their loealitv is not too far north. All communications addressed to R. T. WNDERHILL, M. D., New York, or Croton Point, Westchester Co., N. Y., will receive attention. The past .seaion, though the coolest and most nnfavorable for grape maturing we have had in twenty years, he ripened his whole crop, — proving his Isabellas and Catawbas have become perfectly acclimated. That gives him full assurance that by im- proved eultivation, pruning, &c., a crop of good fruit can bo obt^iiued kvkby trar, in most of the Northern, all of the Middle, Western and Southern States. N. B. — To those who take sufficient to plant six acres, as he directs, he will, when they commt^nce bearing, furnish the owner with one of his Vinedressers, whom he has instructed in his mode of cultivation, and he will do all the labor of the vineyard, and insure the most perfect success. The only ehar^e, a reasonable compensation for the la!)or. Whon the piirehiwo is large and approved paper or other security can be given, a liberal credit on most of the purchase will be given. Also. APPLE-QUINCE TREES, (which are sometimes called tho Orange Quince,) for sale as above. R. T. U. April, 1958.— It. TO NimSEBYMEN, FEUIT GROWERS, DEALERS IN TREES, &C. TX»R S.VLE. at great bargains. 5,000 Dwarf Pear Trees, 2 and S J^ years old, fine for Orchard planting. Also, .50,000 French Q-jlnce Stock, suitable to bud this season. I will sell the above by the hundred or thousand, very cheap for eash. or first cla8< business paper. O. W. EASTMAN. Rochester, H. \\ April, 135?.— It 95 Arcade CHOICE SEEDS B7 MAIL. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUES of tho choicest collection of American, English, French and German FLOWER SEEDS eT«r offered in this country, (ditto of Garden Seeds,) sent to appli- e&nts enclosing a three e«nt stamp. •20 Pa;-ket.s of s'lecti>.l Flower Seed, and 10 of Garden Seed, poet p.iij, for (.$1,00) one dollar. Address GEO. F. NEEDHAM. Buffalo, N. Y., April, 18iS.— It DANSVILLE SEKINART. THIS SEMINARY, located at Dansville, Livingston County, N. Y.. has been lately established, under the supervision ot the East Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcojjal Church. Tho Aeailemy Buildings have not b«en erected, but the work will .soon commence, and will be urged forward with all reason- able dispatch. In the meantime, the Sehoi'vl will he comfortably accommodated in a building, whieJi, originally erected for educational purposes, has been specially flitod up and furnished, by the Trustees, for the use of this Institution. Rkv. ScnuTi.KK Sbamrk, D. D., so long and favorably known a» Principal of the Gene.«eo Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, has accepted tho Presidency of this Institution. The services of other Teachers, of long experience and eminent success, have been secured, and tho Trustees feel confident that the Board of Instruction will not be wanting either in ability or efllciency. Tlio First Term of this Seminarv will commence, Wednesday, April 21st, 1S.-.8. Tlic charges for Tuition will bo as follows: In Common English Branches, per Term, $5 50 In Higher Branches, •' 6 50 Stiidentj from abroad can obtain board in respecL-iblo private families, at moderate prices. It is expected that the citizens of Dansville, and the surround- ing country, will show their appreciation of these superior educa- tional facilities. By order of tho Board of Trustees. A. C. GEORGE, President. I. Ij. Exdrew. Secretary. Dansville, N. Y., March 18, 1858. apl-lt WOODEN WATER PIPE, MANUFACTURED AT OLEAN. N. Y., by the Cnttaraugw WaU-r Pipe Manufacturing Company. This Pipe is made of the best pino timber, and after being' thoroughly tested is proved to be the best and cheapest in use for Chain Pumps, for supplying Railroad Tank.«, Farm Houses and Bams, Dry Fields, and for Water Course of every description. It is durable, easily I.iid down, not liable to choke or get out of order, and leaves water pure and .sweet and perfectly he.ilthy. Tlio u.sual size is S.^s inches, with T's bore; each piece 3 feet long, with joints, so that when laid down the entire distance i» water tight. A larger size with larger bore can be furnished if desired. A constant supplv is kept on hand in this citv, and orders can be filled immodiateiy. I. 8. HOBBIE 4; CO.. April, 1S5S.— It. 44 Arcade, Rochester, N. Y. YALTJABLE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN VIRGINIA. THE undersigned, acting as Agent, has a large number of FARMS FOR SALE, of all sizes, many of them on the RAPPK:reign Pear and other fruit seeds, at the lowest market rate*. Trees, plants, and flowers of all kinds, at the lowest price*. March, 1858- 2t. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. A CONSIGNMENT of Agricultural Implements from an ex- tensive maimfactory, is now offered for sale at prices 30 per cent below the printed rates of the Agricultural Warehouses. Con- sisting of Plows, Corn-Shellers, i'^antiiiig Mills, Straw and Hay Cutters, Vegetable Cutters, Corn Mills. Churns, Cultivators, Horse- Hoes, Road Scoops, Garden Barrows, Ac, &c. A pamphlet giv- ing description and prices, will be sent (free) on appl>ing to the aigent, A. LONGETT, March, 2t. 84 CUff iteeet, New York. THRBK HUNDRED AND THIRTT-BIX PAGES, AND FOUB nUNDltED AND FORTY ENGRAVINGS. RURAL~AFFAIRS. A COMPLETE ENCYCLOPEDIA in miniature for every man with a Farm, a Garden, or a Domestic Animal— for every place which will grow a flower or a Fruit-tree — for evo^ Purchaser or a buildtr in the country, and for everj' household ta the city, delighting in representations or looking forward with hopes of Rural Life. Embracing Rural Architbcturb, Lakdscapb Gardening, Fruit Cultukb, Obxambntal Planting, Bbst Fruits and Flowers, Implbmrnts and MACmUBEY, Farm Economy, Domrstio Animals, Farm Buildings, Hints for Cultivators. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH 440 ENGRAVINGS By John J. Thomas, Author of the "American Fruit Culturist," Ac, &c. Sent, post-paid, on receipt of $1 in Gold, Postage Stamps or Bank-note, by the publishers, LUTHER TUCKER & SON, Albany, New- York. %* The same publishers have just issued The Illustrated An- nual Rroister ov Rural Affairs fob IS5S — a beautiful annual of nil Agricultural and Horticultural matters • with 130 engravings. Price 35 cents. For the sake of introducing it more widely in every locality, they will send one dozen copies, post-paid for TWO DOLLARS ! ^r~ AGENTS WANTED to sell the above works in all part* of the country. March, 1S5S.— 3t. ROCHESTER CENTRAL NURSERIES. Send for a Catalogue. CHINESE SUGAR CANE SEED.— A package of this Seed, containing enough to plant half an acre of land, with plain directions for planting, cultivating, harvesting, and after treatment of the Cane, will be sent, postage paid, on the receipt of On« Dollar. Address C. W. SEELYE, February, 1858.— 4t Rochester, N. Y. PEAR SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS. GOOD, healthy Pear Seedlings, 1 vear, $8 per 1,000, $76 per 10,000: 2 years, $15 per 1,000, $140 per 10,000. Now England Pear Seeds in prime order for spring sowing, $5 per nuarL Apple, Mazzard, Plum, Angers Quince, Mahaleb, Paradise, and Doucain Stocks, of the best quality. Catalogues to any address. Carriage paid to New York or Boston. B. m: WATSON, Old Colony Nurseries, February, 1858.— 3t Plymouth, Mass. SWEET POTATO PLANTS SENT to all orders by Express, far and near, at $2. a thousand. „ To dealers, ordering 10,000 or more at a time, $1.50 a thousand. Plants will be ready early in May. Send for our Circular, on mode of cultivation, the success of the Sweet Potato in the North last vear, Ac. Plants boxed and delivered at Railroad withont charge. O. S. MURRAY & SON, April, 1S58.— It* Twenty Miles Stand, Warren Co., Ohia CRANBERRY CULTURE. THE subscribers have issued a Circular on the Cranberry and its Culture. They will forward Circulars, free of charge, to all aj)plication8. Also will send plants in a fresh state, by express, to ail parts of the United States. Price, $5 per 1,000. Address, SULLIVAN BATES, & CO., March, St. Bellingham, Norfolk Co., Mass. OIL MILL. THE attention of Farmers in this and the acyorning Counties, is invited to the subject of raising Flax for the seed. For that purpose, I am prepare'! to supplv the seed upon favorable terms. M. F. REYNOLDS, Manufacturer of Linseed Oil, While Lead and Zinc in oil — Sash, Doors and Blinds, 5 and 7 Buffalo street, Rochester, N. Y. March, 1S5S— 2t. MORGAN HORSE FOR SALE. FOR SALE, in whole or in part, or in exchange for wester* land, a Morgan Horse (entire) of fine figure and action, seven. years old. J. DORR, February, 1868.— St ScottsvUIe, Monroe Co., N. T. A LONGETT, No. 84 CLIFF STREET, NEW YORK, DKALER in Peruvian, Colombian and Mexican Go&no, Sapo^ phosphate of Lime, and Bone Dust. November 1, 1867. — ly. C CHINESE SUGAR CANE SEED— by express or otherwise J at purchasers' expense — at 20. cents per pound. 100,000 1 year old Asparagus, $2.50 per thousand. 2,000 1 year old Red Dutch Curranta, $iiO.OO per thous.ind. Address, W. T. GOLDSMITH, Rochester, N. Y. Marcb, 34. THE GENESEE FARMER. 135 NEW-YORK STATE AGRICULTURAL WORKS, WHEELER, MELICK & CO., Proprietors. DOUBLB POWBR, AMD IMPBOrXD COHBtirSD TUBHillBB AND WIXNOWBR, IX OPHEITIOW. MANUFACTURERS OF ENDLES3 CHAIN RAILWAY HORSE POWERS, AND FARMERS' AND PLANTBK3' Machinery for Horse Power use, and owners of the Patents on, and principal makers of the following valuable Machines: WHEELER'S PATENT SINGLE HORSE POWER, AXD OVERSHOT THRESHER WITH VIBRATING SEPARATOR. ThtJi i.? a One Horsfi Jfac?iinf, adapted to tlie wants of medium and small grain growers. It separates grain and chaff from tha Straw, and threshes about 100 bushels of wheat or twice as many oats per day, without changing horses — by a cliange nearly doubl9 Ibe quantity may be threshed. Price $ I2S 00, WHEEIiEU'S PATENT DOUBLE HORSE POWER, AND OVERSHOT THRESHER WITH VIBRATING SEPARATOR. This Machine is like the preceding, but larger, and for two horses. It does double the work of tho Single Machine, and is adapti»(1l to the wants of large and medium grain growers, and persons who make a business of threshing. Price $160 ©O. WHEELER'S PATENT DOUBLE HORSE POWER, IMPROVED COMBINED THRESHER AND WINNOWER. [shown in thb cut.] This is also a Two Horse Machine, and has been mucli improved dur ng the past season ; it threshes, separates the grain from tfce •traw, and winnows it at one operation, at the average rate of 1,°>0 bushels of wheat and 3U0 bushels of oats per day. In out door ▼ork, and for persons who make a business of thrcsliiiig, it is an unequalled Machine. Price '$215 00. Also, CLOVER HTJLLERS, FEED CUTIEIS AND SAWING MACHINES. p^ Our HORSE POWERS are adapted in all respects to driving every kind of Agricultural and other Machines, that admit et being driven by Horse Power, and our THRESHERS may be driven by any of the ordinary kinds of Horso Powers in use — fllther are sold separately. 1^~ To persons wishing more information and applying by mail, we will forward a circular containing such detail aa purchaser* mostly want — and can refer to gentlemen having our Machines in every State and Territory. f^~ Our firm have been engaged in manufacturing this class of Agricultural Machinery 23 years, and have had longer, larger ■nd more extended and successful experience than any other house. t^~ All our Machines are warranted to give entire satisfaction, or may be returned at the expiration of a reasonable time for trial. ^^~ Orders from any pari of the United States and Territories, or Canada, accompanied with satisfactory references, will be Cllo<8 With promptness and fldelity ; and Machint^, securely packed, will be forwarded according to instruction*, or by cheapoit and tept routes. A*rU, 1858.— It. WHEELER, MELICK & CO., Albanr, N. T. [36 THE GENESEE FARMER. Prices of Agricultural Products at the Principal Markets in the United States, Canada and England. NEW YORK, Mar. 23d. PHILADELP'IA, Feb. 23d. ROCHESTER, Mar. 28d. CHICAGO, Mar. 23d. TORONTO, Mar. 22d. LONDON, ENG., Mar. l3t. $4.50 @ $6.00 'js!(k)"@ $Vo.O(V' 5.00 5.75 18.00 15.00 .09 .10 .12 .18 .08 .11 2.25 4.011 .91 .80 .80 .82 .r,o .25 .26^ .85 .45 4.25 4.50 1 62X 1.75 .70 .90 8.50 7.00 $4.50 @ ^t).!M $8.25 @ i 15.00 do meBe, poT bbl., . . Pork, ptT 100 IbH., do mess, per bbl.... ,Lard, per lb., Butter, do $10.00 @ $11.00 6.75 7.50 16.00 17.00 .09)4 .10)4 .14 .2» .08 .103i 4.25 7.50 1.02 1.50 .68 .70 .69 .72 .as .47 .60 .70 4.80 5.60 ^.00 2..'50 1.60 18.00 14.00 .26 .45 $7.50 @ KJ.OO .09 .11 $6.00 17.00 .10;^ .20 5.75 15.»0 .09;^ .17 .07;^ S..^>0 .70 .54 .47 .83 .40 8..VI 2.00 6.50 .10 .18 .09 5.13 1.15 .56 .50 .84 .50 4.00 2.15 5.;.o 12.00 CM 12.75 10 50 15.00 .13 .19 .12 684 1.20 1.02 .90 .57 .78 8.40 .17 .25 .82 .16 Flour, per 'bbl., Wheal, p<5r bush Com, sheBed, per bu., Eye, do Oal«, do Barley, do Clover Seod, do Tlinoihy Seed, do 4.87 .95 .57 .70 .38 5.75 1.80 .62 .85 3.70 .67 4..'0 .93 6.86 1.66 1.(5 .60 .85 .40 4.75 1.50 .87 .45 6.00 •il.dO 1.02 .93 1.20 4.25 2.00 1.30 4.75 2.60 1.74 1.80 Hay, per ton, 6.00 .20 4.60 9.00 .80 5.50 9.00 .15 4.00 18.00 4.50 .26 .28 Wood, hard, per oord, 5..V) «.00 ^CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. Experimsnts with Artificial Fertiliiers on Potatoes. 105 LeUuce and Cut-Worms... 106 Cutting Totatoes for Planting 107 Cultivation of the Sweet Potato 107 Cultivation df Flax 108 Harrowing Wheat in the Spring 108 Americao Agricultural iSooks— No. 1 109 Improvement of ImpovorUhed Land 110 Hay Caps and Stack C-overs 110 Suggested Items — No. 19 112 Crops after Buckwheat 11* Simple but Essential. 112 Notes for the Month, by 8. W 118 Destroying Canada TliiKtleerrie8 127 Grape Mildew 127 Dwarf Peara— Shelter for Orchards 127 Experiments on Hedging with the Osage Orange 123 LADIES DEPARTMENT. Domestic Receipte 129 A Word to Farmers' Wives about Chickens 129 EDITOU S TABLE. April Premiums ISO Genesee Valley Horticultural Society ISO Summer-Fallowing an Old Sod lor Wheat. 180 Orchards in Exposfd Situations VtVi Verben.is by Mail l!JO The Wheat Crop 180 Subjects for Prize Essays 181 Circulating Library 181 Grub in an Egg 131 A Fine Calf '. 181 Inquiries and Answers LSI Notices of Books, Pamphlets, &c 181 " ILLCSTRATIOXS. Sweet Potato Plant lOS Flax Plant IdS Corn Stalk Fodder Rack 1 17 Fixtures for Feeding llniie 117 Wi'.'itorn New York Barn 118 Ground Plan of ditto 118 ALBANY THE WOEKS. Corner Clinton Avenue and Knox Sta., Albany, N.Y* THE SUBSCRIBERS, being the most extensive manufacturers of Draining Tile in the United States, have on hand, in l;irge or small quantities, for Land Draining. Sole and Horsi>-shoe Tile, warranted superior to any made in tliis country, hard burned, and over one foot in length. Orders solicited. Cartage free. V. & W. McCAMMON. Albany, N. Y, Dama & Co., Agents, Utica. Ja8. Walkee —t. '"' H 60 TO 7 8 67 10 1 11 6S 10 78 8 .3 11 ■90 15 105 80 8' ,SS 70 8 78 10 1 11 S5 5 90 25 28 CO 12 72 5 5 87 10 97 27 8 30 100 8 108 40 1 41 60 8 68 1 1 95 10 105 i?5 S S3 iS 10 88 18 S 21 SS 13 101 28 6 34 111 14 125 51 7 53 The superphosphate of lime was made on pur- pose for these experiments, and was a pure mineral manure of superior qvuality, made from calcined hones ; it cost about 2i cents per pound. The sul- phate of ammonia was a good, commercial article, obtained from tendon, at a cost of about seven cents per pound. The ashes Avere made from beech and hard maple {Acer saccharinum) wood, and were sifted through a fine sieve before being weighed. The guano was the best Peruvian, cost"^ mg about three cents per pound. It was crushed and sifted before using. In sowing the ashes on Plot r, an error occurred in their application, and for the purpose of checking the result, it Avas deemed advisable to repeat the experiment on On Plot 5, with 300 pounds of superphosphate of Inne per acre, the plants came up first, and exhib- ited a healthy, dark green appearance, which they retained for some time. This result was not anti- cipated, though it is well knov.'u that superphos- pliats of lime lias the effect of stimulating the sr-r- mmation of turnip seed and the earlv growth ot^he plants to an astonishing degree; yet, as it has no such efl'ect on Avheat, it appeared probable that it would not produce this effect on Indian corn, which in chemi'cal composition, is very similar to wheat. The result shows how uncertain "are all fipecuktions in regard to the inanurial requirements of plants. — This immediate eftect of superphosphate of lime on corn was so marked, that the men (who Avere at the time of planting somewhat inclined to be skep- tical, in regai-d to the value of such small doses of manure,) declared that " superphosphate beats all creation for corn." The difference in favor of superphosphate, at the time of hoeing, Avas very perceptible, even at some distance. Although eA^ery precaution was taken that was deemed necessary, to prevent the manures from mixing in the hill, or from injuring the seed, yet, it was found, that those plots dressed with ashes and guano, or Avith ashes aiuT sulphate of ammonia, were injured to some e'xtent. Shortly after the corn Avas planted, heavy rain set in, and Avashed the sul- phate of ammonia and guano, down into the ashes, and, mutual decomposition took place, Avith more or less l-oss' cff ammonia. In addition to this loss of ammonia, these manures came up to the surface of the ground in the form of an excrescence, so hard that the plants could with difliculty penetrate through it. This is a fact which should be borne in mind in instituting future experiments. It would have been better i-indoubtedly, to have sown these manures broadcast; and I should have done so, except for the difficulty of sowing them evenly by hand'^on so narrow a plot, without risk of having some part of the manures blown upon the adjoining plots. It will be seen by examining the table, that although the superphosphate of "lime had a good eftect 'diiring the early stages of th<3 growth of the plants, yet the increase of ears of corn in the end did not come up to these eai-ly indications. On Plot 5, Avith 300 lbs, of superphosphate of lime per acte, the yield is precisely the same as on Plot 2, Avith 100 lbs. of plaster (sulphate of lime) per acre, NoAV, superphosphate of lime, is composed necessa- rily of soluble phosphate of lime and plaster, or sulphate of lime, formed from a combination of the sulphuric acid, employed in the manufacture of superphosphate, witli the lime of the bones. In the 300 lbs. of superphosphate of lime, sown on Plot 5, there would be about 100 lbs. of plaster; and as the effect of this dressing is no greater than Ava.s obtained from the 100 lbs. of plaster, sown on Plot 2, it follows, that the good eftect of the super- phosphate of lime, was due to the plaster that it contained. Again, on Plot 4, with 150 lbs. of sulphate of ammonia per acre, we have 90 bushels of ears of sound corn, and 15 bushels of ears of soft corn, ("nubbin?,") per acre; or a total increase over the plot without manure, of 38 bushels. Now, the sulphate of ammonia contains no phosphate of lime, and the fact that such a manure gives a consider- able increase of crop, confirms the conclusion we have arrived at, from a comparison of the results on Plots 2 and 5: that the increase from the super- phosphate of lime, is not due to the phosphate of lime which it contnins, unless we are to conclude that the snlpliafe of ainmonia rendered the ph.is- phate of lime in the soil more readily soluble, i,.ji<\ 140 THE GENESEE FARMER. thus furnished an increased quantity in an available form for assimilation by the plants— a conclusion, which the results with superphosphate alone ou_ Plot 5, and with superphosphate and suli)hate of ammonia, combined on Plot 6, do not sustain. On Plot 12, half the quantity of sulphate of ammonia, was used as on Plot 4, and the increase is a little more than half what it is where double the quantity was used. Again, on Plot 13, 200 lbs. of Peruvian guano per acre, gives nearly as great an increase of sound corn, as the 150 lbs. of sul- phate of ammonia. Now, 200 lbs. of Peruvian guano, contains nearly as much ammonia as 150 lbs. sulphate of ammonia, and the increase in both cases is evidently due to the ammonia of these ma- nures. The 200 lbs. of Peruvian guano, contained about 50 lbs. of phosphate of lime ; but as the sul- phate of ammonia, which contains no phosphate of lime, gives as great an increase as the guano, it fol- lows, that the phosphate of lime in the guano, had little if any effect ; a result precisely similar to that obtained with superphosphate of lime. We may conclude, therefore, that on this soil, which has never been manured, and which has been cilltivated for many years with the Ceralia — or in other words, with crops which remove a large quantity of phosphate of lime from the soil — the phosphate of lime, relatively to the ammonia, is not deficient. If such was not the case, an application of soluble phosphate of lime would have given an increase of crop, which we have shown was not the case in any one of the experiments. Plot 10, with 400 lbs. of unleached wood ashes per acre, produces the same quantity of sound corn^ witli an extra bushel of "nubbins" per acre, as Plot 1, without any manure at all; ashes, therefore, applied alone, may be said to have had no effect whatever. On Plot 3, 400 lbs. of ashes, and 100 lbs. of plaster, give the same total number of bush- els per acre, as Plot 2, with 100 lbs. of plaster alone. Plot 8, with 400 lbs. ashes, and 150 lbs. of sul- phate of ammonia, yields three bushels of sound corn, and live bushels of " nubbins" per acre, less than Plot 4, with 150 lbs. sulphate of ammonia alone. This result may be ascribed to the fact pre- viously alluded to — the ashes dissipated some of the ammonia. Plot 11, with 100 lbs, of plaster, 400 lbs. ashes, 800 lbs. of superphosphate of luue, and 200 lbs. Peruvian guano (which contains about as much ammonia as 150 lbs. sulphate of ammonia,) pro- duced precisely the same number of total bushels per acre, as Plot 4, with 150 lbs. sulphate of ammo- nia alone, and but 4 bushels more per acre, than Plot 13, with 200 lbs. Peruvian guano alone. It is evident, from these results, that neither ashes nor phosphates had much effect on Indian corn, on this impoverished soil. Plot 14 received the largest dressing of ammonia (500 lbs. Peruvian guano,) and produced much the largest crop; though the increase is not so great in proportion to the guano, as where smaller quantities were used. The manure which produced the most profitable result, was the 100 lbs. of plaster, on Plot 2. The 200 lbs. of Peruvian guano, on Plot 13, and which cost about $G, gave an increase of 14 bushels of shelled corn, and 6 bushels of "nubbins." Tliis will i^ay at the present price of corn in Rochester, although the profit is not very great. The super- phosphate of lime, although a very superior article, and estimated at cost price, in no case paid for itself. The same is true of the aslies. But the object of the experiment was not so mucli to ascertain what manures will pay, but to ascertain, if possible, what constituents of manures are required, in greatest (juantity, for the maximum growth of corn. All our agricultural plants are composed of precisely the same elements ; the only difference being in the relative proportions in which they exist in the plants. Thus, wheat and turnips contain precisely the' same elements, but the ash of wheat contains five times as much phosphoric acid as the ash of turnips, while tlie turnips contain much more potash than wheat. This fact being ascertained by chemical analysis, it was supposed that wheat required a manure relatively richer m phosphoric acid, than was required for turnips.—- This is certainly a plausible deduction ; but careful and numerous experiments have incoutrovertibly proved that such is not the case — in fact, that an ordinary crop of turnips, requires more phosphoric acid, in an availal)le condition in the soil, than an ordinary crop of wheat. From this fact, and several others of a similar character, the conclusion is irre- sistible, that the chemical composition of a plant — the relative proportion in which the several ele- ments exist in the i)lant — is not a certain indication of the manurial requirements of the plant ; or in other words, it does not follow, that because a plant contains a relatively larger proportion of any par- ticular element, that the soil or manure, best adapted for the growth of tliis plant, must con- tain a relatively larger proportion of this element. Wheat, rye, barley, oats, and Indian corn, all con- tain a relatively large quantity of phosphate of lime ; but it is not safe to conclude from this, that a soil or manure, best adapted for their maximum growth, must also contain a relatively large quan- tity of phosphate of lime. We know positively from numerous experiments, that such is not the case with wheat ; and, it is therefore at least doubt- ful, whether such is true of Indian corn. On the other hand, we know from repeated experiments, that wheat reqiiires a large quantity of ammonia for its maximum growth, and as Indian com is nearly identical in composition to wheat, it is somewhat probable that it requires food sunilar in composition to wheat. This, however, is merely a deduction, and deduction is never a safe rule m agriculture. We can obtain no positive knowl- edge in regard to the manurial requirements of plants, except from actual experiments. Hitherto, no experiments have been made in this country, on Indian corn, that afforded any certam information on this point. Indeed, we believe no satisfactory experiments have been made on Indian corn, in any country, that throw any definite light on this interesting and important question, A few years ago, Mr, Lawes made similar experiments to those given above, on his farm, at Rothamsted, Eng- land; but owing to the coolness of the English climate, the crop did not arrive at maturity. Numerous experiments have been made in this country, with guano and superphosphate of lime; but the superphosphates used were commercial articles, contammg more or less ammonia, and if they are of any benefit to those crops to which they are applied, it is a matter of uncertainty whether THE GENESEE FARMER. Ill the beneficial effect of the application is due to the soluble phosphate of lime, or to the ammonia. On tlie other hand, guano contains both ammonia and phosphate ; and we are equally at a loss to deter- mine, whether the effect is attributable to the ammonia or phosphate, or both. In order, there- fore, to determine satisfactorily, which of the several ingredients of plants is required in greatest propor- tion, for the maximum growth of any particular crop, we must apply these ingredients separately, or in such definite compounds, as wiU enable us to determine to what particular element or compoimds the beneficial effect is to be ascribed. It was for •this reason, that sulphate of ammonia, and a pm-ely mineral superphosphate of lime, were used in the above experiments. No one would think of using sulphate of ammonia at its price, as an ordinary manure, for the reason, that the same quantity of ammonia can be obtained in other substances, such as barn-yard manure, Peruvian guano, etc., at a much cheaper rate. But these manures contain all the elements of plants, and we can not know whether the eff"ect produced by them is due to the ammonia, phosphates or any other ingredients. — For the purpose of experiment, therefore, we must use a manure that furnishes ammonia Avithout any admixture of phosphates, potash, soda, lime, mag- nesia, etc., even though it cost much more than we could obtain the same amount of annuonia in other manures. I make these remarks in order to correct a very common opinion, that if experiments do not //ay, they are useless. The ultunate object, indeed, is to ascertain the most profitable method of manuring; but the means of obtaining this infor- mation, can not in all cases be profitable. Similar experiments to those made on Indian corn, were made on soil of a similar character, on about an acre of Chinese sugar cane. I do not pro- pose to give the results in detail, at this time, and allude to them merely to mention one very impor- tant fact^ the superjthosphate of lime had a very marhed effect. This manure was applied in the hill on one plot (the twentieth of an acre,) at the rate of 400 lbs. per acre, and the plants on this plot came up first, and outgrew all the others from the start, and ultimately attained the height of about ten feet ; while on the plot receiving no manure, the plants were not five feet high. This is a result entirely different from what I should have expected. It has been supposed, from the fact, that super- phosphate of lime had no eff'ecl on wheat, that it would probably have little effect on corn, or on the sugar cane, or other ceralia; and that as armnonia is so beneficial for wheat, it would probably be ben- eficial for corn and sugar cane. The above experi- ruents indicates that such is the case, in regard to Indian corn, so far as the production of grain is concerned, though, as we have stated, it is not true in reference to the early growth of the plants. — The superphosphate of lime on Indian corn stimu- lated the growth of the plants, in a very decided manner at first, so much so, that we were led to suppose, for some time, that it would give the lai-gest crop ; but at harvest, it was found that it produced no more corn than plaster. These results seem to indicate, that superphosphate of lime stim' ulatos the growth of stalks and leaves, and has little effect in increasing the production of seed. In raising Indian corn, for fodder or for soillog pinr-- poses, superphosphate of lime may be beneficial, as well as in growing tlie sorghum for sugar-making purposes, or for fodder — though, perhaps, not for seed. In addition to the experiments given above, I also made the same season, on an adjoining field, another set of experiments on Indian corn, the results of which I now send you. The land on which these experiments were made is. of a somewhat firmer texture than that on which the other set of experiments was made. It is situ- ated about a mile from the barnyard, and on this account has seldom if ever been manured. It has been cultivated for many years with ordinary farm crops. It was plowed early in the spring, and it w'as harrowed until quite mellow. The corn was planted May 30, 1857. Each experiment occupied ONE-TENTH of an ACEE, Consisting of 4 rows 3i feet apart, and the same distance between the hills in the rows, with one row without manure between each experimental plot. The manure was applied in the hiU, in the same manner as in the first set of experiments. The barn-yard manure was well rotted, and con- sisted principally of cow dung with a little horse dung. Twenty two-horse wagon loads of this was applied per acre, and each load would probably weigh about one ton. It was put m the hill and covered with soil and the seed then planted on the top. The following table gives the results of the experi- ments. TABLE SHOWING THE EESULT3 Of EXPERIMENTS ON InDIAH COKN, MADB NKAE EOCUESTKE, N. Y., IN THE YeAB 1S5T. •3 s § 1 ^i « ^ £ at i o 2 Descriptions of Manures, and quantities applied per acre. o . 2 a o "1 o o SI in ^ Sa - a; -i ^ ? 0/ O 03 s* o " K S P3 H i-i H 1 T5 12 10 87 92 Vf ■20 loads barn-vard manure 7^ 5?< s 1.5ft lbs. 8uli)h»te of ammonia ><5 30 115 10 18 28 4 .300 lbs. superphosphate of lime. . S8 10 ys la 11 5 400 lbs. Peruvian guano 90 SO 120 l,S is i^i 6 400 lbs. of " Canoerine," or fish manure , , S5 ' 20 lOS'lO 8 18 As before stated, the land was of a stronger nature than that on which the first si-i of experi- ments was made, and it was evidently in better condition, as the plot having no maaiare produced 20 bushels of ears of corn per acre more than the. plot without manure in the other fie-M. On Plot 4, 300 lbs. of superphosphate of lims' gives a total increase of 11 bushels, of ears of co:*i. per acre over the unmanured plot> agreeing exac'%, with the increase obtained from the same qnantJgr of the same manure on Plot 5, in the first sel,jot-i experiments. Plot 3, dressed with 150 lbs. of sulphate of amajor- nia per acre, gives a total increase of 28 bushe.sof s ears of corn per acre, over the unmanured T;|ot; , and an increase of 22^^ bushels of ears per acre over Plot 2, which received 20 loads of good, well-r >tted . i barn-yard dung per acre. Plot 5, with 400 lbs. of Peruvian guano ■perrmJ^ ^ 142 THE GEl^ESEE FARMER. gives the best crop of this series, viz : an increase of -33 bushels of ears of corn per acre over the unmanured plot, and 27i over the plot manured with 20 loads of barn-yard dung. The 400 lbs. of "Cancerine" — an artificial manure made in New Jersey from fish— gives a total increase of 28 bush- els of ears per acre over the unmanured plot, and 12|- bushels more than that manured with barn- vard dung, though 5 bushels of ears of sound corn and 10 bushels of "Nubbins" per acre less than the same (piantity of Peruvian guano. Hochester, N. Y. Feb. Stii, 1858. JOSEPH IIAKPJ&. ASEERICAN AGHICULTTJEAL BOOKS. -No. 2. JoJiUSton's Agrictlltural Chemistry* consists, for the most part, of a number of lectures delivered before an agrioulttiral society in Scotland. They were addressed to practical farmers, most of whom possessed no knowledge of scientific Chemistry or Geology. They commence, therefore, with the discussion of those elementary principles which are necessary to a proper understanding of each branch of the subject. To a young farmer who is desirous of studying chemistry and geology as applied to practical agriculture, this boOTs: particularly com- mends itself. It contains 018 pages, with an ap- pendix of 90 pages, containing suggestions for experiments in practical agriculture, with results of experiments made in 1841-2-3. It is divided into four parts. Part I. is devoted to the orgjihic ele- ments, (oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon,) their nature and sources, and to an explanation of the mode in which they become converted into the substance of plants; Part II., to the inorganic ele- ments of plants, comprehending the study of the soils from which these elements are derived, and the general relations of geology to agriculture; Part III., to the various methods, mechanical and chemical, by which the soil may be improved, and especially to the nature of manures; Part IV-., to the results of vegetation, to the kind and value of the food produced under different circumstances, and its relation to the growth and feeding of cattle, and to the amount and quality of dairy produce. It is a work of great value — a monument of the industry of its lamented author. Like all popular treatises on scientific subjects, it is not free from errors; yet, on the whole, we Icnow of no work that we can so confidently recommend to the young student of agricultural chemistry and geology. A new edition of this work, containing many important additions and con-ections, has been pub- lished in England. We hope Mr. Moore may be induced to republish this last edition, or perhaps give usithe new matter in the form of an addendum. *XectureB «n the Applications of Chemistry and Geology to Agriculture. i!5y Jas. P. W, Jousston. New York: A. O. IMooBE. Priae ^1.25. Johnston's Elements of AgrieuUural Chemistry and Geology* is a simpler and more practical treat- ise than the above. Subjects which in the Lectures are fully discussed and their rationale explained, are here taken for granted or but briefly noticed. Published in 1852, it is a more recent work than the Lectures, and contains uiany facts in regard to the composition of soils, manures, and the varioiiS crops grown on a farm, not to be found in that work. Unlike the Lectures., it is also provided with an excelltixt index (for which we are indebted to the American editor) which is very valuable for reference. The Elements should be read before the Lectures, The numerous facts mentioned in the former book will stimulate the intelligent student to seek for an explanation — for the o'ationale. This he will be likely to find in the Lectures. Take the following extract as an exampfe of the style and' character of the book : "Common salt has, in- many districts, a fertil- izing influence upon the soil. It destroys small weeds ; improves the quality of pastures, and ren- ders them more palatable ; strengthens and bright- ens the straw, and makes the gi-ain- heavier per bushel both for wheat and oats." In the Lectures, pages 345-7, the experiments on which these conclusions are based are given in detail, together with some reasons for the effect of common salt as a manure. Few if any agricultural writers equal JonwsTOW in depth and compass of thought, or in clearness and vigor of style. He was a most extensive, varied, and profound reader, and his writings abound with many curious, interesting, and useful facts. "Who but he would think of illustrating his subject with facts derived from Moses the lawgiver, Mohl the physiologist, and Mofpat the missionary ? Johnston's hastily written and. in many respects,, inaccurate "Notes on North America" were ill- calculated to increase Iris scientific reptitation in this country. For the purpose of encouraging the Britidi fanner under the removal of protective duties on foreign grain, he was led to underrate the wheat-producing character of the land in this comitry. His opinion on such a subject, if care- fully formed, would deserve attention, and it was hailed with pleasure by the free trade party in England. The British farmers were afraid of direct competition -^vith America, and Prof. Johnston told them they had nothing to fear — that the soil was not well adapted to grow wheat and that American agriculture was a hundred years behind * Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology. By James F. W. Johnston. AVith a complete Index and American Pre^ lace, by Simon JIp.owx, editor of the Kew England Farmer. New York: A. 0. Mooke. Price $1. THE GENESEE FARMER. 143 i: that of England. He did not tell them that he had never deen west of Bvffalo ! But, in spite of these remarks, Johnston is a favorite with the Ameincan agricultural public. He is more extensively read here than in Great Britain. One reason of his popularity is that he a2>plies science to agriculture. His writings abound with many practical facts, and are characterized by an enthusiastic hopefulness which renders them particularly attractive to the youthful student. Stockhardfi Chemical Field Lecturefi* is in many respects a very valuable work. The author is evi- dently a scientific man, though this work is not written in a systematic, scientific style. Believing Stockhardt to be nearer correct on many very important chemico-agricultural points than any other Earopean writer whose works are republished in this country, we have repeatedly commended his book, in the hope that its perusal would do some- thing toward correcting the erroneous views so ex- tensively disseminated by Liebig and his followers. It i?, hovrever, better adapted for the general reader than for the young student who wishes to acquire a thorough knowledge of the principles of agriculture. To such, Johnston's Lectures, or his Blements, is a better work to study, though he might read Stock- HARDT with advantage. We are sorry to see so excellent a work marred by the introduction of a puff of "Mapes' Improved Superphosphate of Lime," which the American editor styles "an invention," the result of "re- peated trials." Never was there a more baseless claim ; never a greater humbug. "VTe hope this puff will be stricken out of future editions, or insei'ted merely as an advertisement. SUGGESTED ITEMS. -No. 20. Plowing and sowing is the "order of the day" with us here, this first of April, but I must give a morning to the suggestions of the Farmer. To me, there is no reading more entertaining than that contained in agricultural papers; and cer- t'ainly, no papers deal in subjects in which I am more' interested. How a farmer can get along without reading, is beyond my comprehension. But there are such; and however much money tliey may have, their minds too often are empty and ]):irren — full of prejudice and bigotry. '■•Fxperiments with Artificial Fertilizers on Pota- toes'''' show some valuable results. I am glad to see you take hold of the practical in this manner, and hope you will continue your researches. The small eftoct produced by wood ashes and plaster surprises me. Our trials of these fertilizers were more successful ; or so they seemed, at least — for * Cliemical Field Lectures for Agriculturists. By Dr. JuLirs ADOLrnt's Stockiiakdt, Professor of the Royal Academy of Agriculture at Tharand. Translated from the German, Edited, with Notes, by James E. Tescheiiacieeb. New York; A. O. MooisE. Price |1. we have never tested them accurately. Pounds, acres, and bushels, show, however, more clearly, and we can not rely on seeming merely. ^^ Cutting Potatoes for Planting'''' is no longer a question in my mind. They should be cut, and not more than two or three eyes planted in a hill, to produce the best possible potatoes in quantity and quality. The cutting, it is said, should be per- formed ten or fifteen days before planting, and the potatoes left to dry in an upper room exposed to light, which will sprout them slightly and give them a better start. I mean to try this method. ^'■Improvement of Impoverished Land'''' is an in- teresting subject, well-treated by that veteran agri- cultural writer, Dr. Lee. May the time never come when Northern farms shall be so "impover- ished" as to produce a mere nothing, like those ho describes at the South. " To Destroy Canada Thistles"'' is decidedly diffi- cult. My little patch grows finely; but I tmi going to quit cultivating, and go to mowmg them. Mowing, in season and out .of season^ whenever they get up large enough for the io^ tji "farmers' wives." They are generally interested in the matter, agd should be so. Hens, ducks, aod geese, are all profittibJe, if kept well and cared lor properly. Look to ihem, farmers' wives and daughters. , b. Niaffara Co., X. Y., April '2c7, 1S5S. CrEiNG Hat.— -A correspondent says, " I usually exit my grass before it is quite ripe. Out, and get it into the barn the same day. The juciest I put ovei' head, or at the edges. Do not pack down much. Leave a laad on the wagon a short time, and scatter some salt upon it. The hay is seldom hurt, but looks grsea and fresh through the winter." Staggers in Cattle. — Give a tea-spoonful of pulverized camphor twice a day. It will cure every case, if attended to in time. H. — C&nner»viUe, la. 144 THE GENESEE FARMEE. NOTES FOR THE MONTH. -BY S. W. OoRsr versus Root Crops. — As turnips so often fail in our hot, dry, Indian corn climate, and beets, for a lai'ge crop, require as much manure as that king of the cereals Indian corn, it should be the rule of all farmers to plant but few roots and much corn for both grain and fodder, being careful, how- ever, to grow enough roots for the cows, or, as sailors say, for greens, to keep olf scurvy ; and the testi- mony of the animal is quite as significant as that of the sailors. I have a cow that is messed night and morning, generally with a pint of Indian meal and a pint of oil meal scalded, into which is cut one or two large wurzel beets, which, with water, fills the pail. The cow then, after eating, licks the pad clean ; but if the beets or other green substi- tute is left out, she never fails to leave some of the meal in the bottom of the pail, when she holds up and shakes her head until she gets a cut beet! I feed some early-cut, well-cured hay, which is seven times as nutritious as straw, and the cow gives at least as much milk as two ordinary farm cows, and more than four that have been wintered on straw alone. Her calves at three weeks old are much fatter than any six weeks calves in the market. Mowing Machines. — E. A. Bundy, of that fine grass region, Chenango county, reasons logically, and makes out a good case against mowing machines as a mere money-saving institution. I once asked an astute farmer, who was cutting a very large meadow of heavy grass on a Buffalo creek bottom, if he found a machine profitable, expecting an affimative reply, as the machine did perfect work on that stoneless alluvial flat; but his reply was, " No, if we could get such help as we once got ; but there is no dependence on men now ; for when you bargain with them and think you have them fast, you have to run after them and hire them over again at higher wages ; and when they come, they take advantage of your necessities, and don't work as many hours or as well as they used to at lower wages. But with my machine," said he, "I am independent of the rascally mowers; and common fweign help is plenty and cheap." Yet there can be no doubt but that the mowing machine will do .away the scythe to the end of the world. No man J «ver yet went back from machinery to hand-labor, ■ bee5.5jse its unavoidable efifect is to emasculate jnanual labor and make it irksome ! Fapmikg in Georgia. — Dr. Lee writes from Athens, Georgia, tliat if he had the water that runs througli cfpnN Johnston's extensive tile drains, to pass it' f)v^r his fields that now yield only three boshels of com to the acre, he thinks they would .soon yield thirty bushels. This must be doubtful, as he tells lis thiit fifteen bushels of good house ashes (which implies hard wood ashes) produced very little efiect. His soil evidently wants nitro- gen, or carbonaceous matter to produce nitrogen as it decomposes ; and I trust that the water from Mr. Johnston's drains 'coiitains very little organic piatter after being filterefl .-tln'ough three feet of ^eavy clay loam. We who livs^ in the ever-blessed grass regions of the North, knpyv yery little of the iriials of the poor southron to keep up, not the fer- tility, but the breath of life in his soil. The hot, dry t^dinjate,, and long drouths there, are death to the b.ei'baceoiiis gra8se^s ; and, as Dr. Lee says, when the 8<;*A is vm- bek)w the cow-pea-bearing point, it is past renovation by the plowing in of a green crop for manure. I once took a Georgia planter to visit the farm of John DELAriELO. When he saw the large-growing Indian corn, the hills three feet each way and four stalks to the hill, with an ear to each stalk, he exclaimed, " How do you keep such close- planted corn from fireing? We have but one stalk to the hill, and have the hills six feet apart. If we had it closei-, it would fire, and we should not get an ear." But tliat which deliglited him most was the great milch cows, with their large udders fully distended so long before miUiing time. This was to him a desideratum in farm economy which, he said with a sign, "the South could not hope to attain." Transplanting Evergreens. — Much has been said and printed, of late, about the most successful mode of transplanting evergreen trees. A coiTes- pondent of the Ohio Cultivator says that he pulled up a young hemlock by hand, shook off the soil from its roots, and carried it four miles in a hot sun before he planted it; yet, strange to tell, it lived and grew well. But the considerate editor explains the miracle to his credulous readers, by saying that they might all have the same "success in transplanting the natives," if they only had such nice springy soil as that of his favored subscriber ; " but to attempt it on a dry soil, with a thirsty sub- soil, is labor lost." To succeed well in transplant- ing evergreens from a moist or springy location to a dryer one, the large extendmg roots of the young trees should be cut ofi" two or three feet from the tree the year before it is transplanted. This will induce a large growth of short roots. These may be taken up undisturbed, with a large ball of earth from the base of the tree. Other soil from the same place should be filled in around the young tree in its new and dryer location, and it must also be watered in dry weather, at least until it begins to show signs of renewed life. But, of aU trees, the hemlock is the most diflScult to acclimate in a dry, calcareous soil. Better substitute the not lees beautiful red cedar; because, on such a soil, the hemlock, if it lives, is always unthrifty and dwarf- ish, while the red cedar finds its best nutriment in a dry, warm soil ; and although it may not attain so large a size, it is never more beautiful than on the interstices of the precipitous limestone cliff. The Hollow Horn. — I was in hopes that after John Johnston gave the quietus to the inquiry for the best cure for sheep ticks, that we should hear no more queries from men ycleped farmers, how to kill sheep ticks or cure the hollow horn. Although I have always kept at least one cow, I never had to cure but one of the hollow horn. As soon as this disease was known, I said to myself, " thou art the man," as I knew it was caused by my own neglect. Who ever heard of the hollow horn afliict- ing animals that were warmly stabled in winter and weU fed with nutritious food. But the best cure for the disease, when prevention has been neglected, is to rub a little spirits of turpentine in the hollow between the horns, then a drench of linseed oil, and daily scalded messes of Indian meal or oil meal, roots, etc., with early-cut well-cu?ed hay. Boring the horns is a traditionary cruelty. Mr. Lewis, of Palmyra, Ohio, has a mare that had a healthy foal when thirty-ttoo years old. THE GENESEE FAEMER. 145 TO DESTEOY CANADA THISTLES. OuE offer of a Premium for the best essay " On the best Method of Destroying Canada Thistles," called out many excellent articles on this subject, a few extracts from which will be interesting : "I have succeeded in killing these pests simply by mowing them when they were in bloom, always aiming to cut them just as a warm rain is com- mencing. If some survive, I mow them in the same way the next year. AH avIio have had deal- ings with them must know that, though the roots may be essentially cut up with the hoe, they still live, and seem to thrive 112^011 pej'secution ; but .on mowing them as here directed, the stump will die, and afterward the root. IST. — Ilew Hamj^sJiirey " As soon as the ground is sufficiently dry to work well in the spring, plow not less than eight inches deep ; if deeper, all the better. Sow three pecks buckwheat to the acre, harrow lightly before sowing and also lightly after. Bushing it in is still better, if convenient. When the buckwheat is about six or eight inches high, plow it all in, cov- ering tops as much as possible, and as near the depth of the first i^lowing as may be, crossing the first plowing. This crop will ripen early enough for sowing winter wheat or rye. Commence plow- ing again as at the first time, and about as deep. — Sow wheat or rye, as the case may be, and in the usual way of harrowing it in. Should it be desir- able to seed for meadow, it will only help to exter- minate the thistles, which will be few and far between at the time of mowing. Cut the grass as soon as it is in blossom the first and second year. D. P. S. — Westmoreland, Oneida Co., iV. Y. "Canada Thistles should be kept down either by hoeing or plowing. A plant, weed, or tree, can no more live without leaves than a person can live without lungs ; therefore, if no leaves are permitted to grow, they must die. This I know from experi- ence, having killed several patches on my farm. If a hoe is used, they should be cut off" as deep in the ground as you can strike the hoe ; and don't leave it for the boys and hired men to do, but do it your- self, and see that no green thing is left. If a plow is used, once in two or three weeks will be often enough. One summer will use them up, if it is tlioroughly done. Be sure to attend to them often in tlie mouths of July and August, for Nature will make powerful efforts during this time to produce seed for the propagation of the species, for that is her great object; and this effort on the part of Nature will draw hard upon the roots, and weaken tliem so much that if they are cut at this season of the year they are pretty sure to die. I once cut a patch of them regularly once a week. They con- tinued to sprout up all through the season, without any diminution, until the latter part of August, when I cut them for the last time and sowed the ground to wheat. Not a thistle has shown itself tliere since. 0. C. Wilson. — JSfewfane, Niagara Co,, N. F." "This king of pests is a perennial, propagating itself by winged seeds, suckers, or layers ; grows any where, thrives most on a rich soil { has a deep, rapidly-growing, horizontal root, from which it throws up shoots at short distances and spreaduag in all directions, shortly occupying the whole field, from which they are not easily eradicated. " To the farmer who has but a few patches of them on his farm, I would say, cut off the tops as fast as they appear above ground one season, and you eftectnally kill them, root and branch. This method I have frequently tried to my entire satis- faction, and on it I would mainly rely for their sure destruction. Where large fields are covered with them, if meadow, always mow them when in blos- som. After a year or two you wiU find them rapidly diminishing. If pastures are covered with them, mow them as often as they get six or eight inches high, and in two years you will have but few left. "A heavy crop of buckwheat, followed by oats, and seeded to clover, will almost entirely destroy them. " These are a few of the many methods by which they may be greatly diminished, and then apply the 'sure cure,' or, in other words, keep them under ground with the hoe one season, and the work is done. B..— Walton, K F." THE CULTIVATION OF ONIONS. Among the crops which may be grown by farm- ers convenient to city markets, we may name that of Onions as one readily produced and generally saleable at remunerating prices. Perhaps a brief stateiuent of the Connecticut method of growing onions may be of interest to a portion of your readers, who may be thus situated, and whose cir- cumstances may lead them to devote a portion of land to the culture of this valuable esculent. The best soil for onions is a sandy loam of a dark color, though any loamy soil will produce them. A dark >color can be given to sands or loams by a dressing of muck ; and this, well decomposed, is often used successfully on this crop. All stones and sods should be removed, that the drill may do perfect work, and that the rows may be uninter- rupted by any obstruction. The best manure is thought to be that from stables where the horses are fed freely with grain, well decomposed, so that it may be thoroughly mixed with the surface soil. Leached ashes are also of high value — more so than unleached. Any good compost manure may be used successfully, if enough is applied; but that pretty active and quickly operating, is the best. To prepare the soil, manure freely and then plow thoroughly, and harrow until in very fine tilth. Onion growers do not generally plow very deep — usually six or seven inches ; but the fact that better crops are obtained after carrots, shows that deep- ening the soil is useful. The preparation should be given as early in the spring as the season will admit. Those who raise their own seed, have found it to their interest to select the best shaped and most desirable onions for that purpose, and have thereby much improved the product. Plant early, and gather the seed as soon as ripe. Keep it in a dry, cool place, until wanted for use. Different varieties have their seasons of popu- larity. The Silver Shin is much admired ; the Red is thought the best for shipment ; the White Portu- gal is milder flavored, but does not keep as well. For planting an acre, from three to four pounds of seed are requii-ed. The seed is put in with a 146 THE GENESEE FAKMER. common drill macJiiue, in rows about fourteen inches apart and less than half an inch deep. If the seed is not first rate, it is better to double the quantity than to have them too thin. They should stand from an inch to an inch and a half in the rows. Tlie seed may be tested by sprouting a small quantity in boiling water. If it is good, it will sprout in fifteen or twenty minutes. Thorough weeding is of much importance with the onion crop. The plants are very small when young, and will not bear any rough treatment ; so the fingers are the only machine which can be depended upon for the first weeding and thinning. Much labor may be saved by allowing no weeds to "ipen on the land, and using manure free from their seeds. The onion hoe, an implement attached to wheels, is a veiy complete instrument for clean- ing the ground between the rows of this or any other garden crop. Their greatest enemy is the grub or cut-worm. They work in the niglit, but their tracks are easily found by tlie rootlets and withering plants which mark it. The only remedy is caj)ital punishment. Gleaning the ground in the fall will lessen their numbers — or plowing at tlie same time. Wet sum- mers sometimes induce them to form scuUions with thick stems instead of good bulbs. Breaking the stems by rolling an empty flour barrel over the ground, or other means, is sometimes employed. An average crof is five hundred bushels per acre. R. N. Y. CHINA BERRIES, D., of Gates, N. Y., wishes to know what "China berries" are. They are the fruit of the Melia Azedarach^ or great Indian Lilac — a tree of uncom- mon beauty, introduced into the Southern States from China, and hence the common name. It is now naturalized, and grows everywhere in the south. It is a popular shade tree foe streets, and the wood makes most beautiful furniture — not inferior to satm-wooA — and is of quick growth. The seeds are very hard, and are covered with a pulpy pericarpiim. Every part of the tree— the leaves and seeds — are higlily odorous, and possess powerful anthelmintic properties. A decoction of the root is a flivorite vermifuge, and in the hands of a good chemist, would likely supercede "Falme- stock" or the "Dead Shot," as a saleable article for this purpose. The berries will expel all worms and grubs from the soil, when applied as manure. The first use of them, as an expeller of the skipper fly, while smoking bacon, was communicated to •ne by Col. A. P. Calhoun, President of the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina, and I pub- lished the receipt originally in the South Carolinian newspaper. The tree in the north, and in England, is a beautiful greenhouse shi-ub. Here it attains a height of fifty feet in a few years. A tree here, ten years old, would produce at least as many bush- els of fruit. A. G. SUMMER. Fomaria, S. C. Hollow Horn. — The pi-actice of our vicinity is to give the animal better keeping, and a few doses of Ohio Kercuma in whiskey. This may be given to suit the size of the animal, which is usually one- fourth of an ounce of Kercuma to half a pint of whiskey. B. — Harpersville^ N. Y. UNDERDRAINING. Editors Genesee Farmek : — In the March num- ber. Lot Lindley, Sylvania, Ind., wishes to obtain practical inlbruaation oji underground draining. — If none of your numerous correspondents send in a better method, you may publish this. It is now nearly forty years since I laid the first drain, and I have made them of diti'erent materials, but where stones are convenient, I prefer them to any other. The last five years, I have used tile, but, except the first year, I put stones along the sides of the tile, and over them to the depth of sis inches, which prevents the tile from moving or fill- ing up. I know the tile manufacturers will tell you that there is no danger of them filling up, but I have proof to the contrary. The principal drain ought to be from three to three and a half feet deep, and one and a half feet wide at top and one foot wide at bottom. All the earth ought to be placed along the one side ; and if it is sod land, the sod ought to be kept near the edge of the drain, so as to put them on the top of the stone, the grass side down. When the drain is open, I commence at the highest end, and if the bottom is soft, I put a hem- lock board on the bottom and lay my tile on it, Avhich keeps the tile from sinking. I prefer three or four inch tile of the horse-shoe make. When I have laid a few yards of tile, I commence putting in stone. I do not throw in the stone at random, but place them carefully on their ends, so that the water will made its way through them. When the first row of stone is in, the stone that go on the toj) may be thrown on, but care must be taken not to break the tile. When I make the drain with stone, I lay the stone on each side to the height of six or eight inches, and cover with flat stone, which forms a small culvert. The cross drains that lead to the main one may be made small. I cover the stone with the sods, grassy side down, straw or corn stalks, and then fill in the earth. I have seen very good drains in stift" clay land, made with stakes about three or four feet long, placed length- wise to the depth of one foot. The bottom of a stake drain is made in the shape of a V. It would be easier to give the desired informa- tion, if friejid Lindley had described the ground to be drained, as some land is too wet for underground drains. In such cases, a good open drain with side cuts running into it, is all that can be done till the ground becomes solid. Where the ground is not naturally wet and sponge, good deep plowing is preferable to draining, and much cheaper. Troy, N. Y. April, 1858. JOSEPU CALDWELL. Mad-itch in Cattle. — A correspondent wishes to know the cause and cure for the mad itch in cattle. It is in most cases caused by letting the cattle eat of the corn stalks where hogs have been eating green corn. The hogs leave the entire lot chewed fine, which the cattle eat, and in a few days they take the mad-itch. I have seen farmers lose whole herds with it. The best thing I know of to cure this complaint, is to give one i)int of melted lard three times in an hour. Sweet oil is better. Drench the animal with cold water. The chewed stalks lie dry in the manifold, and if tlu3 beast can be made to take enough water to moisten the cut, it will recover. H, — Co7inersville, Lid., Feb. 16, 1858. THE GENESEE FARMER. 14T THOUGHTS BY THE WAYSIDE. "When I see a mass of chips accumulate in a farmer's back yard, remaining year after year, thinks I to myself, if the coarser ones were raked out, they would serve for fuel, while the finer parts, with the addition of soap suds, etc., from the house, would afibrd a valuable source of manure. "When I see the banks of manure resting against a barn in the summer season, serving only to rot the building, thinks I to myself, that manure might be employed. When I see plowing done year after year in the same track by the side of a fence, forming a gully or bank of considerable height, and of course a cor- responding leanness in the interior of the field, thinks I to myself, there is a great want of good husbandry. When I see fruit trees loaded with twice the top necessary for bearing well, and this perhaps partly dead, thereby keeping the needed rays of the sun from the under crop, thinks I to myself, here is an indication of bad husbandry. When I see stones piled round the trunk of a fruit tree, thinks I to myself, here is an invitation to suckers and to mice ; and if dull scythes should follow, it would not be strange. When I see a total failure of a crop of Indian corn, thinks I to myself, if that man had bestowed all the manure and two-thirds of the labor on half the ground, he would have had a fair crop. When I see a farmer selling his ashes for ten cents per bushel, thinks I to myself, he had better have given the purchaser fifty cents to leave it for his corn and other grain. j. t. sergeant. Sergeanttville, IT. J. SOIL ANALYSES. Editoes Genesee Farmer: — I am truly glad to find in your February number a moderate portion of common sense^ mingled with scientific speculation, on the " analyses of soils." I have neitlier the skill nor the patience to pursue the sub-division of mat- ter to the milliontJi part of a grain^ as some pretend to have done; and if I had, I have no confidence in any benefit to arise from such experiments. When I take into view the absolute impossibility of select- ing a small parcel of the soil of a field, that shall Indicate correctly the productive powers of the field, and the many casualties incident to any such experiment, I am satisfied that but little reliance can be placed upon them. I would not discourage any rational attempt at scientific improvement, but when such attempts are forced beyond the limits of propriety, as has sometimes been done, by Messrs. Lee and others, the reaction is tremendous. iSc> Banvers, 3fas8., April, 1S5S. JOHN. W. PEOCTOE. Lice on Calves. — I think that lice on calves are much like ticks on sheep. If Mr. Avery would give his calves plenty of good hay, corn and oats, good water, and warm and comfortable quarters during the winter, he would not have any use for oil to drive ofi" lice in the spring, not saying but flax seed would be very good feed for them. But I never knew an animal in good condition that was lousy. A. HoosiEE. — Mt. Jefferson^ Ind. ADVANTAGES OF MOWING MACHINES. Editors Genesee Farmer : — In reading the long letter of E. A. Bundt, of Oxford, N. Y., (see Gen- esee Farmer, page 115,) I came to the conclusion that it was such absurd nonsense, that it required no answering ; but on showing it to several of my neighbors, they say " the man must be a , or interested in the manufacture of scythes," and "that it ought to be answered by all means." My own opinion is that if you, Messrs. Editors, did not occasionally like a spicy argument; you would not have published such a long rigmarole. Still, we farmers here may all know little about the fiirmers around Oxford, Chenango Coimty. Perhaps their carelessiless and bad habits may incapaciate them for using horses in mowing. Men that can not go to the village without " talking long and loud, and getting down before they get home," are not com- petent to use even scythes. It also may be true that the introduction of labor saving machines, ir; the town of Oxford, Chenango County, may be the cause of an unwonted degree of idleness. If such is the case, they have got the labor-saving mow- ing machines before they were fully prepared for them. It shows the people need reforming or edu- cating, before they can appreciate the value of a mowing machine. And it is just like men that can not come home from the tillage without getting down, "to talk long and loud about it, or pitch it into the road." I wonder if Mr. B, had not just come from the village when he penned that letter. Thanks to the Temperance cause, we have no such farmers here. Mr. B. might as well try and con- vince the farmers in this part of the country to use spades in place of plows, as to get them to "pitch their machines into the street" and go back to their scythes ; or to take their grain to Albany or New York by wagons, in place of boats-; or to take their own horses to go a journey, when they can travel on railroads at about one-third the expense, as to try to make them give up mowing machines. The revolving Horse-rakes, Reaping Machines, Thrash- ing Machines, and Mowing Machines, are farm ' implements that are destined to be in use until time shall be no longer, let Mr. B. and the Che- nango farmers write what they may. One of the best farmers in Oneida County was with me when I received the Farmer with Mr. B.'s article in it. I showed it to him. He said he had used a mower some years, and if he could not get another, he would not sell it at any price. He has a son not - yet sixteen years of age, and for the last two years that son, and one pair of horses and mower, has. cut from 80 to 100 tons of hay yearly. There is no use of my going into a calculation, to show the saviiog of cutting by machines. As ajnacliine cuts and spreads atthe same time, in heavy grass, yoii can. cut and spread by a machine nearly as cheap as- you can spread it by hand labor. We put our mowing and reaping machines under cover here, and I have known some farmers so careful, that they would bring them home every night, lest there might be a loafer that had stopped " late at the village talking ]ong and loud," and out of spite break the mowing machine. Near Gmeva, N. Y. JOHN JOHNSTON. This is rather severe ; but friend Bundy is able to defend himself. 148 THE GENESEE FARMER. CUTTING AND CUEING CLOVER HAY. Editors Genesee Fakmee: — According to the thirty years of close observation made by the writer of this article, there is but one method of curing clovpv hay which pays well for the labor, and that I shall describe shortly. Observation has taught me, that the lest time for cutting clover, is when two-thirds of the blooms begin to turn brown. At this stage it makes the best hay, and is not sappy enough to reduce much in the curing process. "When the clover is in the above stage, cut it as rapidly as possible ; but never cut when there is dew 01' rain icater on the clover. Let the green clover be put in small shocks as fast as cut down, so that the sun might not Avilt it. AVhen enough is cut and shocked for a large stack, haul up and stack as fast as possible. The stack should be some 14 or 15 feet at the base, and 16 or 18 feet high, so put up a.s to make it tlie shape of a cone. With a hay fork, let one hand throw up the green clover, while two hands stack and trample it, so as to make it as near air tight as possible. Every foot in height should have about one quart of salt sprinkled regu- larly over it. This will require about 75 pounds to the stack. In finishing, top it off and rake it down so as to turn rain. In ten or twelve days it will become wet and hot, and smoke like a coal kiln, so as to have all appearances of rotting ; but in ten or fifteen days more, it will cool off, and be found dry, bright, sweet hay. If the clover were allowed to wilt before stack- ing, the hay would be dark and mouldy ; but if put up green, the hay will be bright green, and sweet, and free from mould. This process preserves all the leaves of the clover, so certain to be lost by any other process ; and it also preserves all the volatile constituents of clover, which are sure to be lost when it is cured in the sunshine or open air. The wliole management may be suumed up in a few words. Cut aud stack free from moisture, in the perfectly free state ; salt it well, and make the stack as near air tight as hard tramping can make it. Jiome, Teim. F. H. G. CURING HAY. Cut your hay always before the blossom of the grass is off. Hay cut in August, dead ripe, and put in the same day, weighs well, is got in cheap, and is about as valuable as a ton of small sticks. Keep rain and dew off your grass when cut. Hay caps and nothing else will do this. Hay, when half dry aud fairly wet through, is equal in value to a draw- ing of tea after it has been once used. Begin with your mowing machine at 8 o'clock in the morning, and by 12 o'clock you have four acres (eight tons of grass) cut and spread. I want two men with the machine, as it saves time. At 4 o'clock, begin to rake aud put in cocks of about 50 lbs. This is easily done by sundown, aud all cov- ered. On the second morning, take off your covers, open the hay for a few hours, and put two or three together, and cover again, which can be done before it is time to rake up your second day's four acres of cuttings. Generally, the large cocks need not be touched again; but if they get too warm, one hour's opening will cure them perfectly. Cover again, and you may draw in at your leisure, for rain does no injury. Hay got in this way, with wages at $1.50 per day, costs about $2 per ton to get it, including wear of hay caps and all expenses, and is worth twice as much as the hay got by my neighbor S., who cuts his in the morning, carts it in from the swath, and got his in last year for 86 cents a ton ; but as he does not feed it, but sends it to New York, it weighs well, and makes no difference. As he makesjand buys no manure, how will his farm look in five years ? WM. h. dentsttng. FishJcill Landing, DutcJieas Co., N. T. SAINFOIN IN CANADA. Editoes Genesee Faemee: — Should you con- sider the following account of Sainfoin of any use, I can vouch for tlie truth. When living in Woodstock, I visited a piece of land of a light sandy loam, and there sowed some Sainfoin seed. It came up well; but from the gi'ound being full of weeds, the plants were small. However, I collected seed by hand-picking it, and on my removal to my present farm, I transplanted several roots. This was in the month of June, and checked its growth very much. The next year, I again collected seed ; but about the third year after the transplanting, they were much hove by frost, and I'then ploughed them in. I think this shows that our climate is as favor- able for sainfoin as for clover, tuomas n. watt. Woodstock, C. W. SOWING GRASS SEED IN THE FALL. Editoes Genesee Faemee: — It has been my invariable practice to sow Timothy seed in the spring, with one exception. Some years ago, I purchased my seed in the spring, except Timothy seed, for about five acres of barley. I expected that toward the end of the season, seed would be cheaper ; but when the time of sowing came, I could not get it at all ; so I seeded it with clover, and after harvest, about the first of September, I sowed about six quarts of Timothy" to the acre, right on the stubble, witltout harrowing. The first year I pastured it, being principally clover; the secon year, more than hah" Timothy, which I mowed, and it was, I think, the thickest seeding that I have ever had. The land was clay loam. Bumiesbxirgh, JV. Y. C. DuTTON CoEN. — In very favorable seasons, the Button corn is one "of the very best varieties of field corn," but it is not so early as some other vari- eties. After trial of several varieties, I would say to " A Beginner," we have settled on the eight- rowed yellow, as yielding largely, maturing early, husking easily, and having a small cob-curing well. Otliers may prefer the Button — the Yellow or White red-blaze, the Wliite Flint, or the King Philip — we have tried them all and discarded them, for the above named kind. Seed corn war- ranted to yroio, of all varieties, is scarce. J. H. B. — lioyaltoa, IT. Y. A Great Layeb. — I have a hen, a mixture of the common dung hill and the Chiltagong, hatched last May, which has now laid eighty -five eggs. — Who can beat this? The hen was fed on eorii. H. Altfather. — Berlin, Pa.., March 10, 1858. THE GENESEE FARMER. 149 WHICH ARE THE BEST HORSES TO tWEAR, THOSE FIFTEEN OR SIXTEEN HANDS HIGHT Editors Genesee Farmer: — Size is generally the measure of strength. In all unsubjugated races of animals, the largest hold dominion ; and what is this but the evidence of snpei'ior courage, strength and endurance ? I do not see any reason why the horse, when domesticated, should consti- tute an exception. Perhaps our ideas of "horse- flesh" are influenced by what we have heard of Arabia and the turf, where fleetness is chiefly in demand. In xirabia, the horse must be small; climate, food, and service, have made this the inex- orable rule. In England, formerly, size was not regarded as of much moment; but latterly, great and successful efforts have been made to increase it, even in the race horse ; and if something has been lost in bottom, much has been gained in power and length of stride. Bottom, technically speaking, is only found in Arabia, where the horse can go at full speed twelve or fourteen hours. In England, or America, he can hardly sustain himself for as many hours. But the turf and the desert are very different from the farm. The slighest study of the race horse ought to satisfy any one that this animal is only fitted for a few minutes of strenuous effort ; he can only run, giving a succession of leaps till exhausted. His form is, in every essential point, in strong contrast to that of the horse of all work, the only one suitable to the farmer. But should this latter horse be sixteen hands high ? Are six- teen hands worth more than fifteen? Will it go as far, endure as long, and cost no more to wear out the living machine ? If bottom and form are equal, the answer is easily given. The task being lighter in proportion to size, the large horse can do it easier; and doing it easier — not wasting so much power — he wears longer. But is there anything wrong in sixteen hands? Is tliis point fatal to stamina and strength? Does wearing capacity increase till fifteen hands are gained, and is it lost in the additional four inches ? Certahily there is no reason, theoretically, for an ans^ver iu the affirm- ative; for that height does not at all touch the question of monstrosity. Practically, the horse of sixteen hands, in the same number of strides, goes farther ; heing heavier, he throws more weight into the collar ; and form being equal, his action is as •elastic and spirited. In doing the same amount of work, less muscular energy is expended ; and after the equal task is accomplished, having a greater fund of power unexhausted, he recovers from fatigue sooner, and thus enjoys a longer period of repose. Doubtless a good horse of fifteen hands wUl out- wear a mean one of sixteen; but with equal form and bottom, in performing equal tasks, theoretically and practically, at all work, sixteen hands wiU out- wear fifteen. In argument the preference is gener- ally given to the smaller horse, because it is assumed that he has necessarily form and bottom, when in fact there are as many lazy, spiritless horses of fifteen as of sixteen hands. Perfection of form belongs no more to one size than the other. It is in both cases, and in both alike, a matter of breed- ing and feedmg. I conclude with one remark: Trust much to the Ireed^ but more to the manger. Feed well, under aU circumstances, and at all times. Starvation dwarfs, deforms, and enfeebles; abundant food develops the natural form — gives action, endurance and docility. In horse-flesh.^ and in all flesh, good feeding is the foundation of good service and dura- bility. Many vices and much bad temper springs from the ever-teasing, nervous irritability of the half-fed horse. brevix. MY "TROTJBLES."-STABLES FOR STOCK. Editors Genesee Farmer : — Allow me to thank Mr. GuRNSEY for his kind prescription in my case, and to say to him that I intend to tests his remedy another winter. I think mangers and stalls can be made through one of my largest sheds, which will work Avell, and allow me still to use it for shelter- ing the manure, at least, made by the cattle while confined in it. The mangers will be made on a frame so that the whole can be raised or lowered at pleasure, and the stalls Avill be separated by swinging partitions, so that the stock will need no tying, and it will be less difficult to keep the floor level and well littered than if they were stationary. Perhaps I shall be able to get up drawings for insertion in one of the later numbers of this year's Farm-er, if the editor thinks it worth the trouble. Some trial of stabling stock has convinced me that they will do better if let out into a good yard all that part of the day when not occupied in taking their meals, than to be confined closely a greater share of the time. It is clear also to my mind that they will take no injury from leaving the manure under them, if it is kept well Uttered, as it easily may be with refuse straw and cornstalks. A great additional saving will be made of the liquid man- ure— a saving of one-third at least of the fertilizing product of the stock. These opinions, found upon experience, having wintered calves as well as cows upon their manure, and keeping them as clean and comfortable as though in a stable cleaned out twice a day — besides making a much better article of manure. Indeed, increasing the quality of the manure was my great object, and not as some may suppose, to save labor, though that is no small item with a dozen head of cattle to attend to. j. n. b. ALPACA — PACO OR PAGA — A Sp«cies of llama. Attention has of late been called to this fixmily of animals, in consequence of an importation, and subsequent sale, of some of them at New York. The term Llama is applied to a genus embracing several species, to which some naturalists have given the name Auehenia. In many respects it resembles the camel (Camelus,) and the llama was formerly sometimes called the South American camel. It is indigenous to Peru and otlier por- tions of South America, its natural habitat being the elevated regions immediately under the line of perpetual snow. The specific divisions of the genus are not very well defined; but without entering upon the disputed points of zoologists in relation to this matter, we give what Martin regards as the distinct species, as foUows : " 1st. Tame and Wild. — The guanaco, guanacu, or huanacu, commonly called in its tame state the llama {Auehenia llama.) " 2d. Tame and Wild. — The paco, paca, or alpaca (Auchcnin alpaca, Desm.) "3d, IVitd. — The vicuna, vicugna, vigogna, itc. {Auehenia vicuna.) 150 THE GENESEE FAEMER. THE ALPACA, A SPECIES OF LLAMA *'4:tli. Wild. — The targua, or taruca (Auchenia tanica nobis.) A doubtful species^ respecting wliich we require more precise information. It may be the wild alpaca. Some zoologists consider that there are only two really definite species, the guanaco and the vicima." All the llama family are wool-bearing animals, the fleece entering into the composition of fabrics which pass, commercially, nnder the name of «7pa- e. A gentleman in this vicinity now has several — four or five, if we remember — which run in his fields as quietly as cows, and we believe they have bred here — at any rate, some of them have the appearance of being quite young. They are kep-t merely as a curiosity, and attract much attention from passers-by. A few years ago, much discussion took place in regard to the introduction of the alpaca into this country. We are not aware, however, that any were imported. Some have been introduced into Great Britain, but as we have heard nothing from them for some time, it is probable that they have either died, or do not thrive in a manner to render them objects of much consequence. The Earl of Derby propagated them at Knowsley Park, and they were tried in the Highlands of Scotland. The vicuna is described as a much smaller animal than either the Uama or alpaca— though the latter is too small to be used for carrying burthens. The fleece of the vicuna is said to be as much superior to that of the llama or alj)aca, as that of the Merino sheep is to the English long-wooled breeds. The wool is described as silky, and of extraordinary fineness, the length being from an inch to three inches. Yarn made from this wool sometimes sells in England as high as three dollars a pound. Thou- sands of these animals are every year killed for their wool alone. If any of the llama family were to be introduced here on account of their wool, this would seem to be the species most desirable. It should be stated, however, that the vicuna is sel- dom domesticated. — Boston Cultivator. It is said that seed corn, smeared with tar and sulphur, is less liable to injury from worms. THE GENESEE FARMER. 151 DISEASES OF THE HOBSE. Foot Evil. — Pound up and melt an ounce of brimstone in a large ladle. When properly melted, add one ounce of tar ; and while the whole is boil- ing, add one table-spoonful of spirits of turpentine, raise the foot and pour it on to the diseased part, first having cleaned the foot well witli soap suds, aiid got dry. The horse should be kept out of the mud, and fed on light food, green if possible. Two applications a week wUl soon cure most of cases. FoK Big Heap, Big Jaw, &c. — Keep the horse out of the wet weather, feed on bran and a small portion scalded oats ; no corn, but green feed if it can be had. Give him three table-spoonfnls of powdered limestone two or three times a week, and persevere. It may take several pounds. I knew one horse to take seven or eight pounds before a cure was effected, when the swelling on the head entirely disappeared without a scar, and he was afterwards a valuable horse. For Poll Evil. — Fry green May apple root in tallow until the tallow is completely saturated with its juice. The strength of a peck of roots may be got out with two jjounds of tallow. AVhen wanted for use, melt it and apply it with a swab made round a stick, with cotton rags. Apply it about every third day. If no matter has collected, there win be no scar ; but if it is broken, apply it to the opening or tube from which the matter issues. — When a scab forms so as to prevent the free egress of matter, it must be removed, — easily done with the finger nail. This has- never been in print, I presume, and doubtless many others as well as myself could give valuable information to our race, were we not too selfish. I say come one come all of the readers of the Genesee Farmer^ let us see how much more interesting we can make its col- umns than any other agricultural paper of its size. More anon. a. yotjxg. Neosho, Mo., Feby. 25, 1858. BUILDING STONE FENCES. Editors Genesee Farmer: — One of the best methods of building stone fence to prevent sheep from jumping it, is as follows : In a fence of this kind there must be a post every eight or ten feet, and two boards morticed in the posts above the stone. The boards should be six- teen or twenty feet long, six inches wide, and an inch and a quarter thick. The posts should be cut five feet and a half long, split out the same as for post and board fence, or not quite so heavy. The posts at each end of the boards may have two mor- tices; the first may be cut two inches from the end, and the second, eight inches below the first, leaving a space of eight inches between the boards. The posts may be set one foot deep in the ground, vrliich will make the fence four feet and a half high. When proceeding to build a fence of this kind, first stake off the ground for the fence, then sink a hole one foot deep, put in a morticed post firm, and another the length of your boards distant from the first ; then put in the l)oards and tighten the posts firmly. The ends of the boards should be dressed oft' so as to form a splice of about three inches. The middle post may be put in after the morticed posts and boards are put up. A panel will then be ready for the stone wall. The foundation should be laid on the top of the ground and two and a half or three feet wide, built up as a double wall bat- tered on both sides, tapering up to the lowermost board. The posts should be walled in carefully with large stones, so that they will stand firm when rotted oif at the ground. All sorts of stone may be used in a fence of this kind. It makes a very cheap, handsome, and durable fence. I have two hundred rods of this kind of fence on mjr farm. Some of it has been built ten years, and the wall i,s sound yet and the posts stand firm. There is no danger of the wind upsetting it. The cost is about seventy-five cents per rod, I feel sat- isfied that sheep are not so read}' to jump a fence built on this plan. In the fall of 1856 and '57, I had two rams in one field and thirty-five ewes in another, and a fence built on this plan was all that kept them apart. The rams made great efforts to jump, but were obliged to stay on their own side of the fence. john kisee. SiippenviUe, Clarion Co., Pa. OAKS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Trees, whether individually or in groups, have ever been considered of peculiar interest. The grove is associated with the earliest records of sci- ence ; and among physical objects, the forest may be considered as exacting the most important influ- ence upon the moral world. This idea is beauti- fully illustrated by Humbolt, in his Tablan de la ' Nature. "The species of animals," says he, "are comparatively few in number, and their fleetness is in general, such as to remove them quickly from our sight. Vegetables, on the contrary, act upon our imagination by their immobility and by their grandeur. Their size indicates their age, and it is in vegetables alone, that with this age is associated the expression of a force which is constantly renewed. The gigantic draggonnier {Dracona draca,) which I have seen in the Canary islands, is sixteen feet in diameter, and enjoying an eternal youth; bears still its flowers and its fruits. When the Bethenconas, French -adventurers, made in the 10th ?entury, the conquest of the Fortunate Isles, the draggonnier of Orotava, as sacred to the natives of these islands as the olive of the citadel of Athens, or the elm of Ephesus, was as colossal in its dimen- sions as at the present time. In the torrid zone, a forest of Cisalpina and of ffi/menia, is perhaps the monument of a thousand years." Though we cannot boast of such " monuments " as these, the oaks of the forest are known with tolerably certainty to attain the ages of 800 or 900 years, and are the most aged trees that we possess. The pines are stated by Dr. Williams, in his his- tory of Vennont, to be from 350 to 400 years. — This information is obtained by counting the num- ber of concentric layers or rings, a metliod of com- putation, the accuarcy of which is admitted by a large majority of vegetable physiologists. 152 THE GEKESEE FARMER. There is another consideration -which renders an attention to our forest trees of high importance. In various Euroi^eau countries, not only individuals but governments themselves, have bestowed great care upon the cultivation of useful and ornamental indigenous and foreign trees. Their destruction has been guarded by the most rigid enactments, and the highest favors have been conferred upon their most successful cultivation. Without wish- ing to see such examples in all respects imitated in our own country, it is worthy of attention whether we are not too prodigal of the abundance which we now possess ; whether it is not time to cultivate instead of destroying, and thus to keep open one great avenue to national wealth and indepenence. For the great purposes to which timber is applied, a large part of Em-ope must be tributary. We, on the contrary, possess within our extended domain, timber for about every use. With care, the supply can be continued. The forest can be pruned like the vineyard or shrubbery. That man would be deemed a mad man, who should destroy the young and thrifty trees of his nursexy; and yet, where is the place in which the same madness is not exhibited with respect to our forests^? The effect is already sufficiently evident in our populous towns ; and if the practice is continued, it will soon become general throughout our country. A great peculiarity in the vegetation of the United States, is the number and beauty of its forest trees. The number of these at present known, is about 200, which have a more or less extensive range of distribution. "The oaks com- prised under the Linnaian genus Querciis,'''' says Beck, "are by far the most mimerous and important. Botanists are at present acquainted with more than one hundred and forty species of this genus, of ♦which upwards of one-half belong to America. In the State of New York there are fifteen native spe- cies, viz: Mossy-cup Oak, Post Oak, White Oak, Swamp White Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak, Yellow Oak, Rock Chestnut Oak, Dwarf Chestnut 0;ik. AViUow Oak, Black Scrub Oak, Black Oak, Scarlet Oak, Pin Oak, Red Oak. The trees are chiefly valued for their timber and bark, and the shrubs for their fruit." Of all the arborescent species found in our State, the White Oak is most deserving of notice, and its cultivation may be recommended as an object of primary importance. It is extensively employed in sliip-building, and for strength and durability it holds the very first rank. It is well fitted for sKfives, which constitute an important article of export. — Time would fail to enumerate the various other uses to which this timber is applied. Considering the remarks made concerning the White Oak as applying also to the White Swamp Oak, the next of importance is the Rock Oak, which may also be converted to most of the uses of the White Oak. The Black Oak is highl}^ valuable for its bark, which furnishes the quercitron of commerce. Should this country continue to be a commercial one, the cultivation of the more strong and durable species of this genus, wiU eventually become a mat- ter of necessity. In England, the price of ship- building advanced 100 per cent, in less than one Jiundred years, and until some pro\asion Avas made, it was computed that there was not timber enough in the island to keep the navy in repair. In the United States, too, according to Setbeet, the price of ship-building increased on an average 10 per cent, from 1800 to 1810, The immense amount of timber used for ship- building, may be judged of by the fact stated in Sixclaie's Code of Agriculture, that a 74 gun ship requires 3000 loads of wood, the produce of 50 acres, each tree standing 33 feet apart. Suffi3ient has now been said to show the impor- tance of an attention to the cultivation of our useful species of oak. We have neither the time nor the ability to point out the details of the manner in which this subject should be pursued, but we trust it will ere long receive the notice of patriotic indi- viduals, and of our national and State legislature. There are two distinct objects to be regarded in the cultivation of forest trees — their pecuniary value as fuel and timber, and their uses as orna- ments, screens and shades. The cultivation in the two cases must be quite difterent ; yet we suppose the first steps must in all cases be the same. The land on which the seed is to be sown, or the young trees planted, must for many years be cifitivated while the plants are growing, in order that they may make any show at all, even in 20 years. — Without cultivation they will grow but very slowly. After the acorns are sowed, or the tree planted, the plow can go early between the rows, leaving the subsoil beneath the rows unmoved. The best time for sowing the acorn is in the autumn, immediately after they have fallen from tlie trees, and they shoiild be planted just below the surface. The plants for some years should be kept free from weeds. The most profitable way to do this is to plant potatoes or bash beans, which will pay the expenses. o. n. bement. Springside, April, 1858, ANECDOTE-INCREASE OF A POTATO. Editoes Genesee Faemee : — Some years ago, a gentleman visiting a farmer in Tolland, Connecticut, took from his pocket a small potato, which some- how had got in there at home. It was thrown out with a smile, and the farmer taking it in his hand to look at it, a curious little boy of twelve, stand- ing at his elbow, asked him what it it was. "Oh," said he, " nothing but a potato, my boy ; take and plant it, and you shall have all you can raise from it tiU you are of age." The lad took it, and the farmer thought no more about it at the time. The boy, however, not dispising small potatoes, care- fully divided it into as many pieces as he could find eyes, and piit them into the ground. The product was carefully put aside in the fall, and planted in the spring, and so on till the fourth year, when, the yield being good, the actual product was four hundred bushels ! The farmer seeing the prospect that the potato field would, b^'' another year, cover his whole farm, asked to be released from his promise. * Hollow Hoen. — In the Farmer for February, Mr. MoEEHEAD requested a cure for the hollow horn. I will give him a very simple one. Take huld of the hair at the i^lace called the Cuppling, and give it a smart jerk. The skin grows fast to the spine and thence extends to the horns and tail. Try it, and report to the Genesee Farmer. C. W. P. — La Fayette, Ind. THE GENESEE EARMEE. 153 THE LIFE OF A FAEMER-HEALTHFUL, PLEASANT, PROFITABLE, AND HONORABLE. That the life of a farmer is healthful^ has fre- quently been shown by tables of comparative long- evity, and one of these for Massachusetts shows that their lives exceed the general average by twelve years, and go nearly nineteen years above that of the common laborer, and eighteen above tlie average at death of those engaged in mechani- oal pursuits. There seems to exist a sanitive influ- ence in the varied employments of the agriculturist — in its fresh and suggestive surroundings. So the young man to whom a long life seems desirable, may choose the occupation of a farmer with the greatest likelihood of seeing in their fullness the allotted years of man. For whenever and where- ever such statistics have been gathered, they bring facts to confirm the healthfulness and longevity of the tillers of the soU. That the life of a farmer is pleasant^ seems, at least, the opinion of the great mass outside the employment, if their professions are to be believed. A city writer, speaking upon the subject, remarks: " The man in active business m other departments, pictures for himself in his retirement a rural home — a little farm well tilled — and on that he hopes to end his days. Ambitious m6n, who have drunk deeply of fame, are at a stand when the tide of their affairs are at a turn, whether to make new and earnest efforts to struggle upward, or to buy a farm and in the peaceful labors it requires, to enjoy a trauquU close of life." Merchants, lawyers, and physicians, we may add, when most rapidly accu- mulating fortunes, often stop to consider whether a competence and a snug farm are not more desir- able than wealth, amid the turmoils and cares of the city, and the vicisitudos of fortune to which its dwellers are exposed. Rural life and employment have the elements of the beautiful and the agree- able, or they would not possess so many charms to the occupant of all other departments of human enterprize and industry. "Why then do so many young men, turning fi'om agriculture as unworthy their attention, seek other employments, or crowd the mercantile or profes- sional ranks ? There may be various reasons for tliis. Some may desire a more speedy return for their labor, and think it found in daily or weekly wages, not considering the uncertainty of constant employment, or comparing their actual profits with those of the working farmer. Others may be led away by the attractive and fashionable appearance of acquaintances who have found employment in the city ; or by the hope of rivaling the one out of twenty who succeeds in making a fortune as a mer- chant, forgetting, meanwhile, the confinement and drudgery of the everyday life of their gentlemanly friend, and the nineteen failures which have taken place while the latter has suddenly risen to wealth and notoriety. A larger class are impressed with the idea that in cities exist greater facilities for finding a comfortable living without much active labor ; and this thought has charms for the indo- lent which they can not resist. How bitterly they will be disappointed, miserable multitudes, who are waiting with Mr. Mioawber for " something to turn up," can sorrowfully relate. That the young man who has been liberally edu- cated must study a profession — that in law, midi- cine, or theology, alone, can be found use for his learning — is an idea too prevalent even now. It will be a better day for all when it is discovered that the highest honors of the college do not unfit a man for the practical duties of agriculture — that it is not burying ones knowledge to graduate from the university to the farm. Some of our most suc- cessful agriculturists have reached farming through law, finance, politics, literature, or merchandize ; going by way of the professions to their present field of labor. When such men take the direct route, as they are beginning to do, farming will rank not only as healthful and pleasant, but as profitable and honorable in the esteem of men. — Increase in position will give increase in knowledge and refinement, and make the life of a farmer always and everywhere, what it should be — the truest and manliest of all life on earth, j. n. b. TREATING TIMBER TO MAKE IT DURABLE. Editors Genesee Farmer : — WiU you please to insert the foUowing in your valuable journal. There are many who read it, that might test its efficiency and be benefited thereby. D. — Gates. " I am not aware that the following is generally known,'at all events it is not practiced in this locality. In Germany it is known and practiced extensively. — The matter is this: Hard wood, such as hickory, beach, dogwood, &c., is impregnated with the liqxud of stable manure, and afterwards submitted to the influence of heat, and thoroughly dried, for the pur- pose of imparting to it good perservative qualities and rendering it tough and solid. " Wood intended for axe handles, mallet, &c., is steeped in this liquid for several days, and afterwards hung up over a fire and exposed to the influence of heat arising therefrom ; two or three days are suffi- cient to render it thoroughly dry. It is then said to possess greater toughness and solidity than when sub- jected to any other process. " The farmers of Germany use mallets made of hard wood, which is prepared as above, for the ptirpose of driving iron wedges to split their timber ; the wedges are usually made with a head about two inehes or two and a half, and the mallet sufiers no indentation from percussion. " If the process imparts to the wood such qualities spoken of, the knowledge of the fact may be interest- ing and profitable. It is certainly a simple and con- venient process, and some one may be disposed to test it, and compare its effects'with those obtained by other methods." — Indiana Farmer. < ■ Eeaping and Mowing Machines. — Appleton's New American Cyclopcedia says : " The reaper and mower have gained a firm footing, oven within the last ten years ; for though the first reaping machine known was used 1,800 years ago, * * itisbut a few years since the economy and practicability of using the machmes was fuUy estabhshed. The num- ber of machmes made and sold in a single establish- ment in Chicago, to supply the demand in the West- ern States, alone exoeeded 4,000 in 1856, whUe in- numerable other establishments exist in other parts of the country, doing almost as large a business as the one alluded to. Nearly 200 different patents have been granted within the last eight years for reapers and mowers, and at a ti-ial recently insti- tuted and held at Syracuse, N. Y., nearly 100 differ- ent patents were entered for competition." 1-54 THE GENESEE FARMER, AGBICULTITRAL PAPERS. " On the,propriety of farmers supporting none but purely agri- cultural papers, a-s such; and is their publication monthly often enough ? " Editors Genesee Farmer : — I am decidedly jn favor of siippofting only purely agricultural papers as such. I am desirous of hav-ingthe editor of my gricultural paper devote his wAoZe attention to the subject. Let us have fish or flesh— no hotch- pot, if a literary paper is desired, then I should subscribe for one devoted to literature. So, an educational journal sliould contain articles pertaiu- iug to that cause from the title page to finis. The good agricultural paper will be full of matter for the particular benefit of the agriculturist. A paper devoted to agriculture, education and literature, is like the man wiio is Jach at all trades. Some of the departments will certainly be neglected, often all of them. JSiumerous instances could be men- tioned to sustain the position. An editor is fre- quently supposed to be a universal genius — a kind of walking encyclopedia — a factotum, capable of doing everything, not only, but also of answering every inquiry. All are aware that a person can devote a life tune with profit in investigating the various depart- ments of agriculture and horticulture. Should not the editor who assumes to instruct thousands upon that subject, make himself fully master of his sub- ject ? The school boy writes milk and water arti- cles upon all and any subject, but he writes without thought, without .experience, without originahty, and without benefit to any one save himself. — Would any one be so foolish as to expect a master piece of painting from the easel of an artist, who claimed to be equally expert with the brush, the chisel, and the poet's pen ? Would you expect to find the most skillful physician in the person who divided his attention between tlie use of the lancet, the prepai-ation of the attorney's brief, and the study of divinity ? The devout minister is not likely to be the shrewd and staccessfullawyer, or skilful surgeon. Nor can we expect to find the editor, wlio has turned his attention to " teaching the young idea how to slioot," to writing agricul- tural articles, or reviewing literary works, well qualified to enlighten the farmer upon the best rotation for crops, the proper soil for certain ceri- als, the kind of manure best adapted to some par- ticular locality, the best method of draining, irri- gating, etc., etc. No argument is necessary to convince a reason- able mind that an editor can devote all of his time to the preparation of a first class agricultural jour- nal—that he can do so to the advantage and profit of his subscribers. There are those who do so devote their time, and of course they make the better class of agricultural papers, Sliall we as farmers support them? No one can doubt the propriety of giving our hearty support to papers so edited. For our agricultural reading, we should subscribe only for purely agricultural papers; for our political reading, all will peruse political papers ; and for religious instruction, let us tfdce the purely religious paper. Tliat is the principal; but each could contain a few brief news items without injury. Were I to read only one agricultural paper, I should want to have it published weekly ; but purely agricultural papers are not yet well enough sustained to authorize a weekly publication thereof. But for myself, I prefer four or five monthly agri- cultural papers, published in various parts of the country, to one weekly — the cost being about the the same. Here, in Minnesota, the farmer reads the agricultural journal published in New York, in the New England States, in Ohio, in Wisconsin, and Illinois, and in Miimesota, as soon as we have one. Most farmers thinTc they can not afford more than three or four dollars a year for all of them ; consequently they must be published monthly and not weekly. The person who gets all his agricul- tural reading from one monthly in this age, need not be astonished if he does fall behind his neigh- bors in agricultural knowledge. If my acquain- tance would not subscribe for more than one, I should certainly advise Mm to take the Genesee Farmer. e. hodges. Marion jOhnM-ead Co., Minnesota. A PROPOSITION FOR A PRIZE ESSAY. Editors Genesee Farmer : — Through the polite- ness of Dr. W. W. Philips, I have received the January, February, and March numbers of the Genesee Farmer, and I am so well pleased Avith it, that I must be pardoned for expressing my opinion of it through its columns. It has been my practice for ten years past to take and read carefully at least three agricultural journals, and I regret that the Genesee Farmer has not been one of them. I scrible for all I take, too. I am pleased to find that you have such a host of able, ■practical contributors — writers who under- stand what it takes to contribute agricultural improvement. I pledge you my word, that I would not give a red copper for a system of plan- tation economy which does not contemplate the annual increase of the fertility of the soil. All other systems are dangerous humbugs. God frowns upon the man who, with impunity, exhausts the soil that supports him, and is to support his pos- terity— the man who has no higher aim in life than to pocket the dollar, at the expense of coming gen- erations. You keep this subject — the improvement of the soil — prominently before your ■ readers. This is right. That is the object of every truly valuable agricultural journal. And the improvement of the former's mind, as well as his soil, is not left out of the question. Well, they are inseparably connected. Improve the mind on rural affairs, and the improve- ment of the soil will follow in the wake. I must do something too. I must try to leave the world better than I found it. Let me therefore make a proposition to your readers, to this effect. I pro- pose to be one of twenty who will give $5 each to the writer of the best essay on the improvement of exhausted lands, to be published in the Genesee Farmer the present year, the premiuiiis to be awarded by a committee of three, chosen by the editor of the Genesee Farmer. Now, who will respond? Who feels like doing something for the agricultural press, and the agri- cultural public? Speak out, one and all. If we get $200, we will give $100 of it to the man who the present year may make a series of agricultural experiments of the greatest utility to the rural world. C. D. DAEMON. Edwards Z> Machine Works, for cheapness, and ingenious adapta r, tion of cutter to an uneven surface. Reapers. — First Premium. — Gold Medal and Diplomi —To C. H. McCoRMiCK, Chicago, 111. Second Premium. — Silver Medal — To Walter A. Vi'ood Hoosick Falls, N. Y. Third Premium. — Bronze Medal — To Warder, Brokaw & Child, Springfield, Ohio. Also a Diploma to Jo.v. Haixes, Pekin, 111., for "Illinois- Harvester." CoMDixKD Machixes. — Firgt Premium. — To Walter A. Wood, Hoosick Falls, N. Y. Second Premium.. — 'io Buffalo (N. Y.) Agricultural Machine Works. < ^ Third Premium. — To Warder, Brokaw & Child, [[ Springfield, Ohio. HOOPER'S WESTERN FRUIT BOOK ; A Compendions Col- lection of facts from tlie notes and experience of successful Frnit Culturists, arranged for practical use in the Orchard and Gar- (len. By E. .T. IIoopeb. Third edition, completely revised. Cincinuali: Mookk, Wilstacii, Keys & Co. 1858. We have alluded to this work in a previous number of the Farmer. We are glad the demand for the work calls for a new edition, as it has enabled the author to correct any errors which may have been overlooked in the una- voidable haste of preparing the first edition. The book is'' handsomely "got up" and there are several excellent plates of fruits, together with jiortraits of the author, of Dr. J. A. Warder and'of N. Loxgworth "the father of Ameri- can grape culaire, and the chief disseminator of that mosti important fact — the sexual character oi the strawberry." The book is sent by mail prepaid, for Si.OO.> LIFE THOT'OHTS. gathered from the Extemporaneous Dis- courses of, Hex^lv Ward BBECHBiB. By one of bis. Cong-Oij^tion. Boston: Phillu's., Sampson & C<). ISoS. We have in this volume some of thft .best thoughts, of the most pppular of living preachers — thoughts which move the heart and fasten themselves m the memory. The publishers will send it pre-paid bj mail for $1. THE GENESEE FARMER. 16S I VINGSTONE'S TRAVELS AND RESEARCHES IN SOUTH AFRICA. Including a Sketch of sixteen years residence in tlie interior of Africa, and a Journey from tlie Cape of Good Hope to liOanda on tlie west coast, thence across tlie Continent, down the river Zambese, to the eastern coast. From the personal narrative of David Livingstoe, L.L. D., D. C. L. To which is added a Historical Sketch of Discoveries in Africa. Illus- trated with numerous engravings, rhiladelphia : J. N. Brad- let, -tS North Fourth street. lbo8. It is entirely unnecessary to speak of Dr. Livingstone. hough comparatively unknown a year ago, bis name is DW familiar to every intelligent reader. He is the great- it of living explorers, and his narrative will be read with le greatest interest by all classes in the community. — he edition published by Mr. Bkadlev will be none the ss interesting to the general reader from the omission of Cousideiable amount of scientific matter and minor tails. It is an elegant volume of 450 pages, and is sent )st paid to any address for f;1.25 J.VNSACTIOJT3 OF THE MICHIGAN STATE AGRICUL- TURAL SOCIETY for 1S56. This is a handsome volume of 790 pages, containing the oceedings of the State and County Agricultural Socie- It is highly creditable to the Society and to the Sec- tary, Prof. Holmes. . We notice among its contents two lize Essays, one " on the Cultivation of the Potato," by B. Noble, and the other "On the Breedidg of Sheep," EnwARn ilASOx, who also furnishes an interesting tide on " Fruit Trees." Mr. Noble also furnishes arti- s on " The Cultivation of Clover," and on " Thorough raining." IE GARDEN ; A New Pocket Manu,al of Practical Horticul- ture; or. How to CultivateKitchen Vegetables, Fruits, Flowers, and Ornamental Trees and Siirubs. Vv'ith an Exposition of the Nature and Action of Soils and Manures, the Structure of Plants, md the Laws of Vegetable Life and Growth, etc. I(y the author }( " How to Write," -'How to Behave," etc. Fowlek & Wells, WS Broadway, New York. Price, in paper, 30 cents; cloth, DO cents. From a slight examination, we think this a most excel- it work— and so cheap that every one who cultivates a d of ground should possess it. TTELL'S LIVING AGE. This excellent periodical commenced a new series April It is enlarged to e'ujMy pa^es, issued weekly. Price cents a copy, or §6 per annum. "We regard it as the ST, and certainly the cJieapest periodical in the world, iblislied by Littell, Son & Co., Boston, and by Stan- BD & Delisser, New York. )ELE; A Tale by Julia Kavanagh, author of "Nathalie," 'Rachel Gray," etc., etc. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 868. 'One of the best novels we have read for some time. ■'Inquiries and Answers. Strawberries. — (William Thomas.) Your question, iVhat is the best kind of strawberry for general cultiva- n ?" can not be answered. No one variety is best under circumstances. In this vicinity, if we were confined to e variety for our own use and for market .purposes, we ; ould select th& HooJxr. It is a lo.rge, ^handsome bei-ry, excellent flavor, remarkably productive, and does not juire the presence of other varieties to fertilize it. H. Hooker & Co., of this city, can furnish you the plants. JCoRN Planter. — (R. S., Gorham, N. Y.) One of the st Corn. Planters we have seen is "Wakefield's .Hand rn Plant'er. The price is $5. M. W. Simmons, of Brock- rt, is ageot for Western New York. It is sent to any iress on reoeipt of price. Chinese Hogs. — (G., Mt. Healthy, Ohio'.) Wo do not know who has any pure-bred Chinese hogs for sale. There are very few in the country. The late John Dela- field kept them for some years, but what became of them after his death we do not know. Mr. Parsons,. of Guelph, C. W., exhibited some at the Provincial Fair of Canada West in 1855, and they were the last we have seen. They are too tender to be kept pure for any other purpose thau for improving coarser breeds. Preparing Basswood Bark. — Will you or some of your correspondents inform me how to piopare basswood bai'k for tying up buds, etc. I cut some last season, but can make no use of it. Wm. Pawlins. — Fluxi,r Creek, Ky. Strip the bark from the trees in the mosith of June, when the sap is flowing freely, and sink it in water until the inner bark or liber becomes soft and will easily sepa- rate, when it may be peeled off and dried, and it is then fit for use. Mowing Machine. — (S. Hobbie.) We know of no Mower which has been so thoroughly tested and which gives such general satisfaction as Ketchum's. It is manu- factured at Buflalo, N. Y., by R. L. Howard. See adver- tisement in this number. Buckv'heat HuLis.— (A. C.) They are probably worth about as much for manure as wheat chaff. Thinning the Frtjit -op Dwarf Pears. — I was much pleased with the Prize Essay, in the March num!>er of the Genesee Farmer, on the " Cultivation of Dwail' Pears." On one point I should be thankful to " Y. Z." for further information. He says " When a dwarf tree is well estab- lished, it will set twice or three times as much fruit as ought to be suffered ioiJiature. After the fruit has become fairly set in the spring, it should be thinned by cutting or pinching out the smaller and imperfect fruit, and leavino- the rest equally distributed over the tree and upon the difl'erent branches. This is quite a delicate operation-, and, like pruning, to become perfect in it, requires nmoh observation and experience. If too much fruit is left to grow, the specimens will be small and somewhat without flavor, and the tree will be stinted and exhausted." This is in accordance with my experience. I am satisfied that thinning the fruit is essential to success, but I have been sorely perplexed in the operation by the curculio. After I have thinned the fruit sufficiently, he stings a considerable portion of what is left, and the result is a very thin crop and deformed specimens. What I want to ascertain is this. At what time does the curculio cease to sting the pear, and can not we ascertain which have been stun^ and which have not ? If so, would it not be advisable to let the fruit remain on the tree till the curculio disappears, and then thin out those which are stung y A. B. — Wayne County, jV. Y., April, 1858. A Work on Drawing for Farmers' Children. —Is there such a work for our children, to be obtained, writ- ten in an easy and familiar manner, similar to the articles in Forrc-iftr's Hoys' and Girls' J/(j(/ii~i/ie for 1855 y No work would add more practical utility to the you'no- farm- er's library than a work of this kind. The writer of this has been a reader of agricultural papers since the days of Judge BuEL, of Cultivator memory, and lias often needed such instruction. It would find a ready sale, and form one of the best works to award as a premium. An Old Subscriber. — Ifarpersville, JV. Y. How does Water get into Drain Tiles? — Will some of your correspondents, in their essays on draining, please tell us how the water gets into the draining tile after it is laid under ground? I can not quite unde^'stand how the water gets into such a tube as is described by writers on tile draining. M. P. — Glarhe. Ind. ■ Rack for Feeding Cattle. — Will some of the readers of the Genesee Farmer oblige inc by giving a plan of a cheap and strong rack for feeding cattle. Edward Linnkv. Torordo, Tuiva. 164 THE GENESEE FAKMER. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Farmer, must be received as early as the 10th of tlie previous month, and be of such a character as to be of interest to farmers. Terms— Two Dollars for every hun- dred words, each insertion, paid in advance. SUPERIOR LAND PLASTER. FKENCH & CHAPPELL. 69 Exchange street, Eochester, N. Y., (successors to Shttrtleff & Smith, at old stand,) keep oti hand, for B'armers' use, Garbutt's Celebrated Land Plas- ter. Price reduced from last year's rates. One dollar invested in Plaster returns fifty to the Farm. May, 1858. CHINESE SUGAR CANE SEED. FIEST quality Georgia Seed, 40 pounds for .$3, delivered in New Tork Citv ; or any larger quantity, 7M cents per pound ; any less quantity, at 1'2>< cents, delivered to Express Co. here. Also, thirty varieties of Flower Seeds (mostly imported,) for CO cents, or two such packages for $1, sent to any post office in the Uuited States, under 3000 miles, free of postage. Orders promptly filled by return mail. Address _ I. W. BKIGGS, Agent Ftural Empire Club. May, 1858.— It West Macedon, "Wayne Co., N, Y. FOR SALE -10,000 ACRES OF VIRGINIA LAND. I HEREBY offer for sale privately, about ten thousand acres (10,000) of land lying in the County of Dinwiddie, in the State of Virginia, about twenty miles from the city of Petersburg, and about fifty miles trom the city of Richmond. These lands are made up of eight or ten (8 or 10) different tracts, all of which are well timbered; the arable lands are adapted to the growth of Wheat, Tobacco, Com, Oats, &c. They may be purchased at from five to ten (5 to Ki) dollars per acre, upon long credits, and in parcels to suit purchasers— the same bein" the lands of which William H. Goodwin lately died, seized and possessed. . . .. , ■ ■„ , Any communications in relation to the foregoing will be promptly answered, giving such further particulars as may be desired, if adaressed to the subscriber. JOHN BODSON, May, 1S58.— It Petersburg, Va. SIXTEEN YEARS IN THE WILDS OF AFRICA. D Pv LIVINGSTONE'S TRAVELS AND EXPLORATIONS IN THE WILDS OF AFRICA; from the English Edition, The American Edition is now ready for Canvassers and Agents. The book is having a very large sale, some Agents ordering 1000 copies at a single order. Th^ largest cotnpi|ssion paid to active Snecimen copies sent by mail, o,u receipt of th? price. $1.25. ^ ^ J. W. BRADLEY, Publisher. No. 48 North Fourth-st., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. CAUTION. The attention of the Publisher has been called ,to spurious edi- tions of this work, put forth as '• Narratives of Dr. Livingstone's Travel! in Africa." Ours is the only cheap American Edition of this great work published, and contains all the important matter of the EngUsh Edition which is sold at $6. May, 1868— It WEBSTER'S aUARTO DICTIONARY, UNABRIDGED. Chntaining three times the matter found in any other English Dictionary compiled in this country, or any Abridgment of this work; a Geographical Table (/ 12,000 jfames; Illitstrative Quotations, atui other peculiarities and advantages found in no other work. Published by G. & C. MERRIAM, SpRn^GFiELD, Mass., AND Sold by all Booksellers. From Prof. Haven, of the University of Michigan. If called upon to sacrifice my library, volume by volume, the book which 1 should preserve lonj'est, except the Bible, is the American Dictionary of the English Language, by Dr. Wehstbr. E. O. haven. All young persons should have a standard Dictionary at their elbows. And while you are about it, get the best; that Dic- tionary Is NoAii Webster's— ttc great work, unabridged. If you are too poor, save the amount from off your back, to put it into your head. — Phrenological Journal. Every farmer should give his sons two or three sqvare rods of ground, well prepared, with the avails of which they may buy it. Every mechanic should put a receiving box in some conspicuous place in the house to catch the stray pennies for the like purpose. Lay it upon your table by the side of the Bible ; it is a better ex- pounder than many which claim to be cxpouni^ers. It is a great labor saver; — it has saved us time enough in one year's use to pay for itself; and that must be deemed good property which will clear it'elf once a year. If you have any doubt about the precise meaning of the word clear in the last sentence, look at Webster's thirteen definitions of the v. t.—Mass. Life Boat. DIOSCOREA-CHINESE RICE POTATO. THE FRENCH AND AMEPvICAN INSTITUTES havl awarded their Medals for this esculant, and having mf reports confirming its vast importance to every farmer ''as m^ than a substitute for all other Putatoes," we now offer it as greatest vegetable boon ever tendered by God to man, and u; its universal culture upon the Nation and upon the British Pr inces. Tubers |5 per 100. Roots %W per 4 lbs. Directions culture, which is simpler than for the Potato, will be sent. May, 1853.— It WM. It. PRINCE & Co., Flushing, N. Y N' HOOKER STRAWBERRY PLANTS. OW is the time to plant Strawberries, and the HOOK STRAWBERRY is the kind to plant tor the follow reasons : — It is a Berry of the largest size ; Jt is vigorous and very productive ; It is unequalled for quality and lieauty. It has perfect blossoms, and consequently does not requin be mixed with other sorts. Being the only Berry extant, which combines in »ne all desirable excellence, both for the ai teur and the market gardener. The Plants should be set in rich, dry ground, 12 inches apai the rows 2^ or S feet apart. Keep all the runners off, if la fruit is desired. Measure your land, and find the number of plants required, ; send to us for them at once by mail or otherwise. Price $1 dozen— $3 per hundred. H. E. HOOKER & CO., May. 1S5S.— It Commercial Nurseries, Rochester, N. i BY AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. AT the fifth meeting of this National Association, held in 1 ton, in September, 1854 : — Mr. Cabot, of Massachusetts : " I wish to enquire about Z- ton's New Poehelle Blackberry.'''' Rev. WiLLiAJi Cleft, of Stonington, states:— "The Lan.c Blackberry has fruited with me for the first time this season fulfills all its promises, wnicn is all that need be said of i Coming just after raspberries, it prolongs the season of be fruits a month or more, and it is a great acquisition. It desei a place in every garden." Mr. PiNB, of New York:- "It is the most remark.ablo acqi tion; very sweet and delicious indeed, and the hardiest pi possible." Mr. Maukice, of New York :— " It is very K-irge, tender, i delicious. I think it is the greatest acquisition we have had." Mr. Clark, of Connecticut :—" I never saw anything ro productive." Mr. Saul, of New York :— " I can corroborate what others bi said." Mr. Prince, of New York :— " It is a most remarkable acqu tion of the blackberry kind — very sweet and delicious indeed great bearer and the hardiest plant possible." George Gabriel, Esq., of Stonington, Conn. :— "The Law Blackberry has fruited with me for the first time this season, fulfills all its promises, and deserves a place in every garden," This delicious fruit, unmixed with the common '' Ni-w Pocht Blackberry"— for sale by WILLIAM LAWTON, No. 54, Wall street. New Yorl Circulars containing ample directions for planting and co vating, forwarded by mail, free. May, 1858.-1 THEEK nUNDEEl? AXD THIETY-SIX PAGES, AND TO HTJKDKEr) AND FORTY ENGRAVINGS. RURAL AFFAIRS. A complete: encyclopedia in miniature for eT man witli a Farm, a Garden, or a Domestic Animal— every place which will grow a flower or a Fruit-tree— for eV' Purchaser or a builder in the country, and for every household the city, delighting in representations or looking forward 1» hopes of Rural Life. Embracing Rural Architecture, Landscape Gardening, Fruit Culture, Ornamental Planting, Best Fruits and Flowers, Implements and Maohdibh Farm Economy, Domestic Animals, Farm Buildings, Hints for Cultivators. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH 440 ENGRAVlN' By John J. Thomas, Author of the "American Fruit Cultuj3« Ac, Ac. Sent, post-paid, on receipt of $1 in Gold, Postage Sta» or Bank-note, by the publishers, LUTHER TUCKER & SON, Albany. New-York *#* The same publishers have just issued The iLLusTUATBoi NUAL Eegistee OF EuRAL AFFAIRS FOR IS5S— a bcauliful anni of all Agricultural and Horticultural matters • with 130 engravin Price 25 cents. For the sake of introducing it more widely in ev( locality, thev will send one dozen copies, post-paid for TV DOLLARS !' E:^^ AGENTS WANTED to sell the above works in all pfl of tho country. March, 1S68.— St. THE GENESEE FAEMER. 165 IMPORTANT TO STOCK DEALERS AND FARMERS. ■TX7"E have just completed an entire new set of pat- TT ter terns for STOCK AND HAY SCALES, With large platforms — weighing three, four, five, and six tons — Expressly for Stock and Hay Dealers. The smallest platform is 8 by 13 feet; largest size, SK by 15 feet. "We are selling these Scales at greatly reduced prices — prices to suit the times. We have Medals and Diplomas from the State Agri- cultural Societies of New "i ork, Ohio, Michigan, Indi- ana, Illinois, and Massachusetts, and the Provincial Agricultural Society of Canada. Any information respecting these Scales may be ob- tained by addressing i'OUSYTH & CO., No. 15 Water street, Eochester, N. T. Kochester, April, 1S5S. THE SEYMOUR Si MORGAN SELF-RAKING REAPER AND MOWER COMBINED. WnAT Faemers say of it! — Extracts from Letters, &c. " It is simple, durable, and well made." " It not only cuts well, but rakes otT the grain splendidly." " The grain can be bound with three-fourths the labor that it can when raked by hand." " My boy, fourteen years old, cut 170 acres with it this season, and did the work better than can be done by the old hand-raking reapers." " It mows admirably in all kinds of grass." "I bought one in 1S.J6, cut 210 acres with it, and sold it for what it cost. Bought another in 1S57, which worked as well as the first." Farmers! if you want to economize in these times, better apply at once to us or one of our agents for one of the above machines. SEYMOUR, MORGAN, & ALLEN, Brockport, Monroe Co., N. T. May, 1858.— 2t FOR THE HARVEST OF 1858. The best Combined Reaping and Mowing Machine in use, as endorsed by the United States Agricultural Society. Manny's Patent wltU Wood's Improvement. IT is with much pleasure and renewed confidence, that I offer my machine to the Farmers for the coming harvest, with all its improvements and increased high reputation as a combined Machine and single Mower. The large sale the past season, and great success at the National Trial of Harvest Implements at Syra- cuse in July last, where it was awarded one Gold and two Silver Medals, is conclusive to every unprejudiced farmer that it is the most approved machine of the kind in use, and the subscriber begs to say that they will be perfect and complete in workman- ship and material, and are offered to them on terms accommodat- ing and suited to the times. With each machine will be furnished two scythes, two extra guards, two extra sections, one extra pinion, and wrench. Warranted capable of cutting from 10 to 15 acres of gross or grain per day, in a workmanlike manner. Price of Machines as heretofore. The Combined Machine varies in price according to width of cut and its adaptation in Biie and strength, to different sections of the country, from $125 to $150, delivered here on the cars. Price of Single Mower, steel bar, $115.00 WALTER A. WOOD, Manufacturer and Proprietor, May, 1858.— tf Hoosick FalU, N. T. A BOOK FOR THE SEASON. The Garden ; A New Pocket Manuai, of Practical Horticijlttjrf. Everybody who owns or rents a garden, large or small, will find this best of all garden manuals indispensable. It gives full directions for the cultiva- tion of All thb Kitchen Vegetables ; All kinds of Fbthts and Berries ; All sorts of Flowers and Shrubs ; and All the best Ornamental Trees. It tells all about Soils and Manures ; Vegetable Growth ; and Thb Stbuotukb of Plants ; Wuat Plants Lite Upon ; and shows How TO PREPARE TUE GkOL'ND ; How TO Sow Seeds ; How TO Cultitatk: How TO Gkaft and Bud ; How TO Preserve Fruits and Vegetables; How TO DO Etbeytiiing. It is Popular, Reliable, ifuLL of Information, Pkactical, Comprebensivb, YiERT Cheap. You may readily understand it, easily remember its directions, and without difficulty put them in practice. It is mnltum injiarvo, and may be carried in the pocket. Adapted to all sections, and sold everywhere. Orders should be seaf in at once. Price, in paper, 80 cents ; in muslin, 50 cents» The Series of four " Rural Iland-Books" to which this belongs — " The House," " The Garden,"' " The Farm," and '• Domestic Animals" will be furnished to subscribers ordering them at the same time for $1. Address FOWLER & WELLS, 303 Broadway, New York. May, 1858.— 2t AVAKEFIELD'S HAND CORN PLANTER. THIS Implement is offer- ed to the Farming com- munity for the Jiftli year with increased confidence in its practical utility. Its ease,/acilit>/, and certaintij of operation — its siinpliciti/ and durability of construc- tion— are ita distinguishing features, and have secured for it a great reputation. With it a man can plant from fiyur to eiyht acres of corn in a day, in the most perfect manner, if used as directed, and for planting beans it is imsurpasaed. This Planter is unlike any other now before the public. This Machine will be sent free of charge to any person in this State or the Canadas, on receipt of the price — five dollars — by May, IfioS.— It /£<■/?■' M. W. SIMMONS, Brockport, N. Y. THE GENESEE FARMER. KETCHUM'S COMBINED HARVESTER FOR 1858. THE improvements on this celebrated Machine for 1S5S -will r«nder it the most desirable machine ever offered to the public. Among these improvements are ihe following: — 1st. An expanding Reel, very simple and ingeniously arranged so as to be readily attached, and is propelled by the main shaft. 2d. A new, strong, and welKbraced guard, which will not clog. 3d. An adjustibie Roller with a lever, by which the driver, while in his seat, can elevate the finger-bar and hold it in any <:!'?sired position, for transportation, to pass over obstructions, and to aid in backing or turning corners. 4th. A KoUer in the outer slioe, on which the finger-bar rests, which obviates all side dratt and very much lessens the direct draft. The SIMPLE MOWERS have wrought-iron frames, with ail the other improvements except a lieel. With these improvements the draft of the Kktciic-m machine is as light as any machine known, and by the test with the Dynamometer at Syracuse, Ijy Ihe IJ. S. Ag. Society last July, the draft of the reaper wTas more than one-quarter less than anyother of the 13 Reapers on trial. Tliis result is obtained by enlarging the main wheel for Reaping, which lessens the motion of the knives and the actual draft of tiie machine fully one-quarter. The VERY BEST MATERIAL js uscd throughout, and no pains or money are spared to made the Ketcuum Machine what the ' I'armer needs. Sample machines can be seen at all the principal places, and persons are invited to examine them before buying any other — remembering that the best is always the cheapest. fOIlVTS OP EXCELLENCE. AS A MOWER. 1. JSasy Dra-it'OM is attained without any loss of momentum ■and power, which are essential in order to cut grass under all circumstances. 2. Tlie Machinery and Gearing is so simple that any person can understand and' manage the machine. 3. Great Strength is attained in every part, a feature which is indispensable in machinery to be used in rough field work. 4. DuralAlitt/ is an important fcnture, as none but cast and wrought ir«n of the very best quality is used. 5. All Side Draught \s obviated by placing the pole in the cen- tre of draught, or near as possible. 6. The Open Knife or Hole in the Knife Sections is one of the most valuable patents, to prevent clogging, and belongs exclu- sively to the Ketchum Machine. 7. Ths Location of the Finger-lar, belo-w the frame, and on a ■line with the shaft of the main wheel, secures an uniform cut. and '.■auses the tinger-bar to follow the tread of the Wheel over uneven ground. " S. The Open Space, between the heel of the cutters and the iri;;ip. wheel, secured by an arrangement which is patented, pre- vents the clogging of the machinery by the cut grass on the rctsrn swaths. Other machines have p dead jioint here, shoving and piling up the grass in fmnt, or riding over it and raising up the fingtT-bar. and some, infringing Ivetchum's Patent, .secure this fame space, so important, by locating the flnger-bar before or behind the main wheel, altliough it is apparent that a location on ILe line of the shaft secures many advantages not otherwise attained. 9. The Shield Plate, or extension of the shoe upward and for- wards, from the heel of the finger-bar, is important to equalize the draught' and prevent the cut grass from piling up in front of and clogging the machine. This is patented by Mr. Ketchum, and belongs exclusively to the Ketchum Machine. 10. The Hinged Track Clearer upon the outer end of the fin- ger-bar, also patented by Mr. Ketchum, is of great importance in cutting heavy grass, to separate the cut from the uncut grass, and to prevent clogging. 11. The Roller upon the Finger^Bar, with a lever, ingeniously arranged, to as to sustain the finger-bar to move from the field; also, to bear part of its weight while mowing, and all of it while in the act of backing. 13. The Finger-Bar is made of wrought-iron, of the proper width to prevent the cut grass from lodging thereon, and the grass is always evenly spRfiAn. 13. The Height of the CitJ is readily adjusted by m«ans of the pole bolts. 14. An Equal Balance of the machine is always maintained, by means of the seat and other arrangements, so that the machine will not tin over, and will always bear lightly upon the team. 15. One person and even a boy, can always manage Ketchum'B Machine. Many others, particularly in heavy grass, require two persons. Ifi. The Speed of Team Required is an ordinary ^alk of a coih- mon farm team, and in many instances oxen have beeti used on Ketchum's Machine. THE REAPER COMBINED MACHINE; The Mower is quickly changed to a Reapei-, by enlarging the main wheel by means of circular sections, bolted to the rim, and adding a changeable platform, for thereaz'b? side delivery of the grain. ^ The following are some of tlie pecnlia!" advantages of the Combined Machine over all others : 1. Without any Change of Gear the kniv&s are elevated r.jjd their moli(m is reduced. This is important, as much greater motion of the knives is required in gr'ass tfia.! in grain, and their speed is decreased about one-third. 2 The 'Draught of the Machine is, also lessened about one- third, which is of great importahcie in cutting grain. This is eff'^ctn^ i'v enlarging the main wheel, and Icssennig the mot'on of the knives. C. t):e ConTertihiUly of tJie Platform, for side or rear delivery of the grain, is very ■ie'sirahle ^ot farmers who ■^^ish to leave some kin<;s of grain in tke gravel. THE GENESEE FAEMER. 367 4. The Strmifftheninff Bar of the Plalform, -wliich is patented, is arranged so as to give any required degree of flrmneso to the platt^jrm, while reaptng. &. The lieapt'r is Perfectly Balanced, The raker's seat, rest- ing upon the main wheel, takes all pressure from the team, and the driver's seat balances the platform, and takes otf ail side draught. 6. Tlie CuUing Arrangement is Perfect. The machine will not clog in grain or grass, wet or dry 7. Tlie ComjtactiiesH rf the Comhin-ed JIachine is not its least recommendation, and a light pair of horses can easily handle the machine, and cut from 10 to lo acres of grass or grain j)er dav. Manufactured by K. L. IIOWAEl), Butfalo, N. Y., May, ISoS.— It (Near N. Y. Central Depot on Chicago st.) WIIiljIAM BROWN, COTE D£S NEIGES NUBSEBIES, MONTREAL C. E. BALSAM FIR Seed, or Balm of Gilead, $1 per pound. lIemltH:k Spruce, $2 i)er pound. Warranted fresh and sound. European Sweet Briar, for lioso Stocks, two years, $5 per 1,000 European Asli, two years, $5 per 1,001). Acer campestre, English Maple, two years, $5 per 1,000. The Sweet Briar takes tli« bud Creely for Kose Stocks, and is offered at one-terUh of the price of Manetti Slocks. WM. BKOWN, Nursorvman, May, 1858— Ot Montreal, 0. E. A, Spring; B, B, Water-course ; nable terms, or will be sold in a body, or by counties, at whtiles.-ile rates, on verj' accommodating terms. The titles are perfe<'t, and all conveyances will be made by warrantee deed. Persons wishing to purchase any of the above named lauds, will pleaj^e apply to the subscriber, by letter or otherwise, at Uilla- boro', Montgomery county, Illinois. Catalogues of said lauds wil be forwarded to persons who mav request the same. JOHN S. HAYWAItD. May, 1S58.— It* A HEBEFOSD CATTLE. LOT of thorough-bred Ilereford-t'altle for sale. S. M. ELY. April, 185S.—3t. Eipley, Chautauque Co., N. T ROCHESTEB CENTRAL NURSERIES. Send for a Catalogue. /CHINESE SUGAR CANE SEED,— A package of this Seed, \J containing enough to ]>lant half an acre of lAwdi with plain directions for planting, cultivating, harvesting, and-ii iter treatment of the Cane, will be sent, postage paid, on the' r.-ceipt of One Dolhtr. Ad .26 .09 7.00 1.47 .78 .70 .61 .68 4.60 2.50 1.75 9.00 .42 PHILADELP'IA, April 24th. $15.00 @ $17.00 18.00 .10 M)4 .11 .15 4.87 .70 .72 .70 .40 .60 4.12J^ 6.00 1.86 4.873^ .47X ROCHESTER, April 27th. $4.50 @ $6.00 5.00 16.00 .10 .18 .07^1^ 4.00 .87 .60 .45 .36 .40 8.50 2.00 1.00 7.00 .20 4.50 6.00 17.00 .103^ .19 .09 5.50 1.05 .48 •87X .50 4.00 2.50 i.nx 11.00 .30 5.50 CHICA.GO, April 24th. $9.00 @ $11.00 5.00 5.75 15.00 .09 .10 .08 8.25 .59 .85 .50 .25 .25 5.00 1.12>^ .80 3.50 16.00 .0934 .18 .10 5.50 .85 .44 .55 .27 .40 5.50 1.25 7.00 4.00 6.50 TORONTO, April 24th. $6.00 @ $6.00 .10 8.75 .75 4.75 1.00 .60 .80 .82 .40 .50 4.50 5.00 1.50 1.75 9.00 18.00 .15 4.00 4.50 LONDON, ENO., April 5th. $8.25 @ $15.00 'io.Vo'"" 15.66' .13 .19 .13 5.28 1.20 1.02 .90 .60 .72 6.00 .17 .82 .16 5.52 1.68 1.06 1.02 .84 1.02 7.25 1.74 ".26" 1.80 ".28" CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. Premium Farm of the Empire State 187 Experiments on Indian Corn 138 Americao Agricultural Books — No. 2 142 Suggested Items— No. 20 148 Curing Hay. Staggers in Cattle 143 Notes for the Month, by S. W 144 Hollow Horn 144, 146, 152 Destroying Canada Thistles • • • 145 Cultivation of Onions 145 China Berries 146 Underdraining 146 Mad-Itch in (Tattle 146 Thoughts by the Wayside 147 Advantages of Mowing Machines 147 Soil Analyses. Lice on Calves 147 Cutting and Curing Clover Hay. Curing Hay 148 Sowing Grass Seed in the Fall. Sainfoin in Canada 148 Dutton Corn. A Great Layer 148 Which are the best Horses to wear? 149 My " Troubles"— Stables for Stock ; 149 The Alpaca 149 Diseases of the Horse 151 Building Stone Fences 151 Oaks of the State of New York 151 Anecdote — Increase of a Potato 152 The Life of a Farmer 158 Treating Timber to make it durable 158 Reaping and Mowing Machines 158 Agricultural Papers 154 Prpposition for a Prize Essay 154 HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. Hints for the Month 155 Plants for Hedges 156 Border and Bedding Plants 157 The Silver Fir 157 Caterpillars on Fruit Trees 159 Shelter for Apple Orchards on the Prairies 159 Horticultural Notes from Canada 159 Peaches — The American Pomological Society 160 Formation of Horticultural Societies 160 editor's table. Who started the Genesee Farmer? 161 Advertisements 161 April Premiums 161 Agricultural Schools 1 61 Convention of Agricultural Editors 161 Wheat turning to Chess. Agricultural Humor 162 Notices of Books, Pamphlets, &c 162 Inquiries and Answers 163 illustrations. The Aliiaca 150 Stone Fence 151 The Silver Fir 158 GENERAL GIFFORD, Jr. THIS beautiful Morgan Stallion may be found the coming sea- son at llie stable of the Subscriber, in Walworth. He is a beautiful chestnut, with no marks. Took the First Premium at the State Fair, and can't be beaten .anywhere, not even excepting his splendid sire old General Gifford. ELIAB YE0MAN3, May, 1858.— 2t* Walworth, Wayne Co., N. T. KEDZIE'S WATER FILTER. THE SUBSCRIBERS give notice, they have made arrange- ments with Mr. Kebzib, the Patentee of thi.s justly celebrated Filter, to manufacture under his own supervision, and sell a t former retail prices, and discount to dealers, as when made by J. E. Cheney ik Co. For circulars or Filters, address only JAMES TERRY & CO., 59 and 61 State-st., Rochester, N. Y.; the old stand of J. E. Cheney & Co. May, 1858.— 2t SUGAR FROM THE CHINESE CANE. A PAMPHLET, containing diagrams and specifications of Mills, Machinery, and Apparatus, necessary for working the above Cane, together with a full report of the experiments which resulted most successfully last year, will be furnished gratuitously, by us, on application, or mailed on receipt of a postage stamp. Sorgho and Imphee Seed for sale. Also, just received from Iowa, a consimment of choice Hungarian Grass Seed, which we are authorized to sell at $2.26 per bushel ; or, in small parcels, eight cents per pound. HEDGES, FREE, & CO., May, 1858.— It* Cor. Main and Water Sts., Cincinnati, Ohio. ALBANY TILE WORKS. Corner Clinton Avenue and Knox Sts., Albany, IT.T. THE SUBSCRIBERS, being the most extensive manufacturers of Draining Tile in the United States, have on hand, in large cr small quantities, for Land Draining, Sole and Horse -shoo Tile, warranted superior to any made in this country, hard burned, and over one foot in length. Orders solicited. Cartage free. C. & W. McCAMMON. Albany, N. Y, Dama & Co., Agents, Utica. Ja8. Walker & Co., Agents, Schenectady. April — 6t The Practical and Scientific Fartner^s Own Paper. THE GENESEE FARMER, A MONTHLY JOUENAL OF AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINQa OP Parm Buildings, Animals, Implements, Fruits, &c VOLUME XIX, FOR 1858. Fifty C«nts a Year, In Advance. Five Copies for $2 ; Eight Copies for $8 ; and any larger mm- ber at the same rate. ^^~ All subscriptions to commence with the year, and the entire volume supplied to all subscribers. J^~ Post-Mastbrs, Farmers, and all friends of improvemeot, are respectfully solicited to obtain and forward subscriptions. Specimen numbers sent to all applicants. Subscription money, if properly enclosed, may be sent at tbo risk of the Publisher. Address JOSEPH HARRLS, Januaet 1, 1858. Rochester, K. T, Vol. XIX, Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., JUNE, 1858. No. 6. EXPEEIMENTS ON THE GROWTH OF BARLEY BY DIFFERENT MANURES. The last Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society contains tlie results of a series of experi- ments "ou the growth of barley by different manures, continuously on the same land," by Messrs. Lawes & Gilbeet, of Rothamsted, Eng- land, The paper is a most able and elaborate one, occupying about eighty pages of the Journal^ and contains so many interesting and important results, that we fear it will be impossible to do justice to the subject in the limited space at our oommand. The barley wiis grown each year on the same land for six consecutive years. The plot left en- tirely without inanure, each year, produced in th-e six years 166 bushels, or an average of nearly 28 bushels -per acre per annum. That di'essed each year with "mixed alkalies" (300 lbs, sulphate of potash, 200 lbs, sulphate of soda, and 100 lbs, sul- phate of magnesia,) produced in six ycai's 173 bushels, or an average of nearly 29 bushels per acre — only one bushel per acre more than wdiere no manure at all was used, 400 lbs, of superphos- phate of lime per acre each year produced an aver- age of 31 bushels; a plot with "mixed alkalies" and superphospliate, 34 bushels ; 14 tons farm-yard manure per acre each year, an average of 43 bush- els per acre ; 275 lbs, nitrate of soda, 42 bushels ; 100 lbs, each sulphate and muriate of ammonia, 38^ bushels ; same quantity of -ammonia salts with 600 lbs. "mixed alkalies," 39^ bushels ; same quan- tity ammonia salts and 400 lbs, superphosphate of lime, 45^ bushels per acre ; same quantities of am- monia salts, "mixed alkalies," and superphosphate, 46 bushels. It is evident that, like wheat, barley requires for its maximum growth more nitrogen or ammonia than the atmosphere can supply. Our own experi- ments indicate that such is the case with Indian corn ; and Mr, Lawes intimates, hi a private letter, that, from a series of experiments he has made on meadows, that such is the case with the grasses. Superphosphate of lime and the mixed alkalies had a much better effect on barley than they had on wheat — a result which Mr. Lawes attributes to the limited range of the roots of the barley plant as compared 'with wheat. Still, though mineral manures had some effect, it is quite evident that the principal substance required for the groAvth of a large crop of baidey, as of wheat, is nitrogen (ammonia). Tills conclusion is also confirmed by the results of another series of experiments given in the same paper. Barley was sown on land from which ten successive crops of turnips had been removed. One plot had received no manure for the past seven years, and another plot adjoining had received a heavy annual dressing of the various mineral ma- nures ; and yet the crop of barley was as large on the unmanured plot as on that which had received for so many years a liberal supply of minerals. The minerals had been appHed for years; and though a portion had been removed in the turnips, yet there was a large excess remaining in the soil, and that not in a crude condition. If, as Prof. Way says, "the soil is a stomach," these minerals must have been thoroughly digested, and rendered fit for assimilation by the plants, and yet they had no effect. Could we have stronger proof of the fact that no amount of merely mineral plant-food will produce maximum crops of barley in the absence of nitrogen or ammonia ? In Mr. Lawes' experiments on wheat, an appli- cation of nitrogen (ammonia) always gave an in- creased yield of wheat ; but the nitrogen contained in the increase yield of produce was in no case equal to the amount of nitrogen supplied in the manure. From this fact, which does not rest on a single experiment, but on a very extensive series of experiments, continued for fifteen years, it seems evident that wheat destroys nitrogen during its groicth. From the similar chemical composition of barley, oats, rye, Indian corn, sugar cane, and the various grasses, it is probable that all these plants also destroy nitrogen during their growth. If this is the case, it follows that the extensive cultivation of these crops greatly unpoverishes the soil of nitro- gen, and that the great aim of all grain-growing 170 THE GE1!?ESEE FARiflER. farmers sliould be the accumulation of nitrogen (or ammouin) on the farm. Tlie practical bearing of the question is easilj^ perceived. Some of our correspondents have pro- posed to increase the fertility of the soil by grow- ing crops of Indian corn, Chinese sugar cane, rye, oats, etc., and plowing them in as manure. Now, if these plants destroy nitrogen during their growth, it is clear that such a practice Avould not accom- plish the object. We must grow plants Avhich do not destroy nitrogen, or, in other words, plants which contain at least as much nitrogen as they remove from the soil. The same remarks are equally true, so far as increasing the fertility of the soil is concerned, whether these crops are plowed luider or consumed on tlie farm by stock, and the manure returned to the soil. We can not pursue this subject further at the present time. "We allude to it for the purpose of showing that it is not merely a scientific question, but one of great prac- tical importance — one, in fact, that lies at the foundation of all judicious systems of rotation and manuring. Mr. Lawes' experiments on barley prove most conclusively that, like wheat, it destroys nitrogen during its growth. This most extensive series of experiments show that, "within certain limits, nitrate of soda, ammoniacal salts, and rape cake, a U increase the producs of iarley^ approximately in proportion to the amounts of nitrogen they rcspect- i'jely sxqyplied.'''' But while this is the case, in no one instance has the increase contained anything like as much nitrogen as was supplied in the manure. There was a loss of at least one half the nitrogen. How this loss takes place we know not at present; science will doubtless discover the cause ere long. The fact of such a loss can not be doubted, and it is one of the most important facts which the appli- cation of science to agriculture has yet discovered. SPECIAL MAFUHES. "When chemical analysis first demonstrated that dlfterent classes of plants yield an asli of different composition, the idea of special manure had its origin. By special manures, were meant mixtures containing just the quantity of each ash ingredient removed from the soil by an average yield of each crop. But investigation has demonstrated that there are in general no practical advantages in these attempts to feed the plant by ration. Lat- terly, Lawes & Gilbeiit, of Rothainsted, England, believed to have established, by a multitude of field experiments, that ammonia is specially suited to the production of wheat, and phosphoric acid to the growth of turnips ; but there are other equally au- thentic trials which as fully prove just the reverse." The above is an extract from the article on Agri- cultural Chemistry in. the New American Gyclopce- dia^ written by Prof. S. W. Johnson}— au article which,, as a whole, though somewhat hastily writ- ten, we can not too highly commend. We are glad to see a writer of such great ability and of such eminent scientific attainments, speak out sc distinctly against the utih'ty of ordinary soil- analyses, and against the doctrine of special ma- nured; for these two ideas have done much to retard agricultural improvement, and are now, wherever entertained, diverting the attention of scientific men from a line of inductive investiga- tion which would in all probability lead to the discovery of many of the hidden laws of vegetable growth. We fear, however, that the paragraph above quoted is likely to convey a wrong impression. We can not think that Prof. Joknson intended to class Messrs. Lawes & Gilbert among the advo- cates of special manures^ for he well knows tliat it was precisely the " invastigations " that have been instituted by these gentlemen that have "demon- strated" the unsoundness of the special manure theory. We accept Prof. Johnson's definition of the meaning of special manures — "mixtures con- taining just the quantity of each ash ingredient removed from the soil, by an average yield of each ci'op." In other words, the ash of wheat contains five times as mnch phosphoric acid as the ash of turnips, and, therefore, tbe soiL or manure, best adapted for the growth of wheat must contain four times as much phosphoric acid as a soil or manure suited to the growth of turnips. This was the fundamental idea of the doctrine of spe- cial manures. We are pleased to hear the Trans- lator of Leibig's- criticism on Lawes & Gilbert's- experiments assert that these very experiments have ^'•demonstrated " the fallacy of the pet theory of the great German chemist, for assuredly he must- have had these investigations in view when he penned this sentence. If the experiments of Lawes & Gilbert prove anything, — if they have " demonstrated " that the special manure theory is unsound — that wheat does not require more phosphoric acid in the soil than turnips, — they certainly indicate that "ammo- nia is specially suited to the production of wheat, and phosphoric acid to tlic growtli of turnips." If these experiments are to be held of no more authority than others Hohich prove just the reverse^''' then they are incapable of demonstrating the un- soundness of the special' manure theory. If they have been made with sufficient accuracy to " dem- onstrate " that there is no advantage in attempting to feed plants with, manures compoxmded according to the composition of their ashes, then they are equally good authority for showing that "ammonia is specially suited to the production of wheat, and phosphoric acid to the growth of turnips." THE GENESEE FARMEE. m Let us glance a \Qoment at a few of these experi- ments, selected from hundreds giving similar results. The experiments on wheat and on turnips were made on soil of similar character, and which had been impoverished by the growth of four crops without manure, previously to the commencement of the experiments. Wheat was grown success- ively on the same land every year, as also were the turnips. The wheat on the laud without any manure produced, the first year, (18i4,) IG bushels per acre ; the second year, 23 bushels ; the third year, I7i bushels; and, on an average, about the same in subsequent years, varying a little with the season. Last year, (1857,) the four- teenth crop which has been removed in succes- sive years from tins soil Avithout any manure was over 18 bushels per acre. Now mark the dif- ference between this result and that obtained on similar soil where turnips were grown without manure. The first year, (1843,) the unmanured plot yielded 4^ tons of turnip bulbs per acre ; "the second year, 2J tons ; the third year only 13-1 cwt. per acre; and in subsequent years, the production was even still less, the turnips being no larger than radishes, though throwing out very large roots in search of appropriate food. It is evident that this soil, which contained suf- ficient plant-lood for the production of a fair crop ■of wheat, was not capable of growing turnips, from a deficiency of the ingredients of plants. In other words, turniijs require in the soil, a larger quan- tity of some constituent or constituents of plant- food than icheat. "What that constituent is was discovered by the use of the different constituents of plants on other plots of turnips in the same field. Potash, soda, magnesia, sulphate of lime, salt, am- monia,— all these various constituents of plants were sown on different plots, but none of them, sepa- rately or together, supplied the deficiency — none of them enabled the soil to produce a good crop of turnips. But wherever superphosphate of hme Avas used, there the turnips rioted in more than pristine luxuriousness. On a plot adjoining that without manure, and which, in 1845, produced only 13^ cwt. of turnip bulbs per acre, 534 lbs. of superphosphate of lime per acre enabled the soil to grow nearly 13 tons of bulbs per acre, or about tioenty times as much. This is not the result of an ordinary hap -hazard experiment, but one of many hundreds aftbrding sunilar results, and extending over a period of ten years, conducted with great care, and by men of science and practical experience, who devoted their entire time to these and similar investigations. Now what do these facts prove ? Do they not demon- strate that turnips require for their maximum growth more phosphoric acid (superphosphate of lime) in the soil than wheat ? This is all that is claimed — iiot that phosphoric acid is a special manure for turnips. Phosphoric acid will not produce a good crop of turnips, if any one of the other mineral con- stituents of plants is deficient in the soil ; but what is claimed is this: that in the majority of cases, soils are deficient in available phosphoric acid for the growth of maximum crops of turnips, though they may at the same time contain enough for the pro- duction of a large crop of wheat. No crop we are acquainted with, requires so much available phos- phoric acid in the soil as turnips, and therefore, there is no impropriety in stating that "phosphoric acid is specially suited to the growth of turnips," though the expression may not convey precisely the idea intended. The same remarks will apply in regard to ammo- nia being " specially suited to the production of wheat." The experiment of Lawes & Gilbert prove that a soil may contain sufficient phosphoric acid even for the growth of turnips, and an abun- dance of every other mineral constituent of plant- food, and yet not yield a maxunum crop of wheat, hut loill do so when supplied with ammonia. Super- phosphate of lime, which had such a magical effect on turnips, had no effect on the wheat grown on a similar soil ; other mineral manures had no effect ; but wherever ammonia was used, the crop was greatly increased, and in some instances more than doubled. Prof. Johnson says there are "other equally authentic trials which as fully prove just the reverse."" If there are, we have never seen any account of them. AMEKICAN AGEICTJLTUEAL BOOKS. -No. 3. OuK correspondent B., in his "Suggested Items," alluding to previous articles on this subject, inti- mates that the books noticed last month can hardly be considered as '■^American.'''' This is true. They were not written by Americans ; neither are their practical recommendations, in many cases, adapted to our climate and circumstances. Their princi- ples, so far as correct, are of universal application. The writings of Boussingault, Johnston, and Stockhaedt, are, in the main, as well adapted to America as they are to France, Scotland, or Ger- many. "When we used the phrase "American books," we intended merely to designate such as were published in this country. The fi\ct is, we have, strictly speaking, very few American agricul- tural books. Many of those purporting to be such, are little else than compilations from British au- thors. So long as the country can be flooded with cheap reprints of English works, we can hardly hope for distinctive American agricultural books, of real value. The demand for them, at the price 172 THE GENESEE FARMER. at which they iiitrst be sold to compete with such Avorks as cost little more than the paper on Avhich they are printed, would not warrant the labor. A man of sufficient talent can use his time to better advantage. Hence it is that many of our books are scissored from the current agi-icultural litera- ture of the day, or transcribed from English cyclo- paidias. All that some of our book-makers claim Is that they have '■'■ Americanised'''' the writings of foreign authors. Friend " B." will agree with us that the less said about most of what are claimed to be American agricultural books, the better for our literary reputation. Before a man can teach, he must learn. Before we can have a high order of American agricultural literature — of books or periodicals — Ave must have priA-ate or public institutions for the development of facts — experimental farms, where practical problems can be solved, and the suggestions of science tested. Our agricultural information must be more accurate and extensive before we can have books that will • satisfy the intelligent American fanner. One of the most noteworthy of American agri- cultm-al book-8 is^ iTasTi's Progressive Farmer.* — "Written in an easy, genial style, with no unneces- sary use of scientific terms, savoring more of the quiet homestead than of the scrutinizing laboratory, "we know of no Avork of the kind that can be pe- rused Avith greater pleasure and profit. It is not a profoiTud treatise. It never exhausts the patience —rarely exhausts the subject; selecting the most salient points, it pleasantly impresses them on the memory. It contains much that is true — little that is ncAv ; many things that are doubtful, and some, of course, that are erroneous. It is better calcu- lated to engender a love for scientific and progress- ive farming than to satisfy the careful student. The first chapter treats of the fifteen elements which compose all fertile soils, plants and animals. Of these it is said : "If we analyze a stone, a handful of earth, a plant, a floAver, a bone, a drop of Avater, a piece of iiesh, almost anything we can think of, it is found to consist of one, two^ three or more, of the^e ; sel- dom of one, oftener of tAvo, very often of three, less frequently of four, and rarely of more than four," It Avould be nearer the truth to say that a hand- ful of earth, a plant, a floAver, almost anything we can thinh of, contains oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon, potash, soda, lime and magnesia, plios- phorous, sulphur, iron, silicon (sand), alumina (clay), manganese — all fifteen — with the exception perhaps of the four last. *The Progressive Parmer : A scientific treatise on Agricultural Clicmistry, the Geology of Agriculture ; on Plants, Animals, Ma- nures, and Soils. Applied to Practical Agriculture. By J. A. Nash, New York : A. 0, Mooek Price $0.00. " Phosphorous is said to form a part of the seeds of many plants." Doubtless it does of all seeds used as food. " If lime, after being taken from the kiln, is ex- posed to the air, it first absorbs moisture, then crumbles to powder, and in a feAV days takes car- bonic acid from tlie air, and becomes carbonate of lime, (air-slacked,) just Avhat it Avas in the quarry, except in structure." This is calculated to convey a wrong impression. It is true that air-slaked lime is not as caustic as water-slacked, but it is by no means the mild car- bonate of lime it Avas in the quarry, before the car- bonic acid AA'as driven ofi" by burning. Only a little more than half of it is converted back into the mild form, (5V.4 per cent.) The remainder (42.6 per cent.) is still caustic lime. Chapter 2, on the Geology of Agriculture, con- tains much that is interesting and useful. HoAvever great may be the infiuence of geological formation on the soil, nearly all Avill agree with the author that " more depends upon the farmer on a farm than upon the rocks under it." The chapter on "Vegetable Physiology in its re- lations to Agriculture"' is a pleasant statement of the principal changes which take place during the germination and growth of plants ; the nature and sources of their food; their structure, &c. The chapter on " Animals and their Products" is- alone worth the price of the book. Some of the statements in regard to butter we should place under the head of '■'■ doubtfuV For instance — " The sugar of milk gives a peculiar sweetness tO' the butter, * * This is an important considera- tion ; for it is this sugar of milk that performs the double oflBce of giving to the butter a Inscious fla- vor, and of causing it to keep well. * * Washed butter may have a tolerable flavor at first, for it Avill retain a part of the sugar of milk in spite of bad management. But it Avill ha\'e given up to the Avater too much of its sugar of milk to allow of its keeping for any considerable time." Whether it is best to wash out, or to work out, the buttermilk from butter, is a point we do not propose to discuss. It seems to be the opinion of the majority of experienced butter-makers, that Avhen buttei- is intended to be kept for a consider- able length of time, it should not be Avashed, On the other hand, it is quite certain that washed but- ter will keep veiy Avell. In 1850, we sold a con- siderable quantity of butter that was sent to Cali- f.irnia. It stood the long voyage well, and was pronounced excellent. This butter Avas tcashed. But whether the practice is to be condemned or commended, the reason urged against the practice by Prof. Nash, is to us anything but satisfactory. Butter contains a small quantity of casein or curd, and sugar of milk. It is owing to the presence of these two substances that butter becomes rancid. THE GENESEE FARMER. 173 Could we remove all the casein, no change would take place. Could we remove all the sugar, the tend- ency to rancidity would be greatly reduced if not en- tirely removed. The casein acts as a ferment, and, in the presence of air, soon changes the sugar into lactic acid ; and, when mixed with oil, into butyric acid — an acid which emits a mingled odor of vinegar ■ and rancid lutter. The presence of salt arrests all change in casein itself, and consequently destroys its power of inducing change in other bodies in con- tact with it. Hence the use of salt. A saturated solution of sugar has the same effect. But that the small quantity of sugar of milk in butter " causes it to keep well," is contrary to the general laws of chemistry. One recommendation in the manufacture of cheese is contrary to the practice of most American dairymen, though strictly in accordance with chem- ical principles : " Special care should be taken to remove all the whey from the curd, or as nearly all as possible, 'before salting: and then afterwards to press the cheese thoroughly." The chapter on "Manures" is in the main excel- lent, though there are some doubtful recommenda- tions, such as dissolving bones in moistened ashes, and decomposing salt with lime ; neither of which can be done. The book ends with a valuable chapter on " Prac- tical Agriculture," in which most of the principal points in good farming, especially in New England, are alluded to. THE BOTHAMSTEI3:E2fPEKIMENTS. The following extracts from a private letter from •J. B. Lawes, Esq., possess so much general interest that we trust he will excuse us for giving them to the public : " RoTHAMSTED, St. Albaus, Eng. ) April 20, 1858. \ '•''Dear Sir : — Your experiments upon Indian Corn are valuable as confirming the general character of cereal exhaustion. We still require experiments upon the Sugar Cane ; but, as far as I can learn, guano containing a high percentage of ammonia is used with remarkable success. "The experiments here are very much in the same position as when you left Rothamsted. We had a very fine season last year. The highest pro- duce of wheat in the experimental field was fifty bushels per acre ; that on the unmanured plot being between eighteen and nineteen bushels per acre. "The report of the barley experiments you will have seen before this reaches you. It does much towards establishing the ammonia-exhaustmg char- acter of the cereals. " We are now beginning to publish the whole of the feeding experiments. They have required much labor to get them ready for the press. " The question whether plants can absorb nitro- gen from the air, is of great interest. It has been a subject of experiments in France. Those of M. BorssiNGAULT and other eminent chemists proving that plants are unable to do so, while those of M. ViLLE give a contrary result. Last year I had a series of experiments conducted here by Dr. PtiGH, a young American who has been studying chemis- try for some years in the best continental laborato- ries. He intended returning to America last autumn, but I have persuaded him to remain another year, to conduct a more extensive series of experiments upon this subject. Tlie French chemists are look- ing anxiously for our results, as it is hoped they will settle the question. Dr. Pugh is a man of great abilitie.?, and an excellent chemist. He can not fail to take an eminent position on his return to America. I shall give him a letter of introduc- tion to you, on his return, as you will be glad to see a person who has passed two years at the scene of your former labors. " With the exception of a series of experiments upon grass, I believe I have not made much addi- tion to my field experiments. I think these experi- ments on grass are the most striking of any to the eye. Where the alkalies and phosphates alone are used, the pasture is a mass of clovers and trefoil ; but when amoaia is used, it is all grass. Believe me, yours truly. 4 J. B. Lawes. Joseph Haeeis. SUGGESTED ITEMS. -No. 21. May-day is liere, but it has not brought a great deal of grass with it — the 'bite' is short compared with what we expected from the early opening of the spring. It is especially so, when the farmer, tempted by the Avarm weather of mid-winter, allowed his stock to roam over his meadoAvs and pastures. But what shall we now do ? Cows and sheep have such a longing for grass that they grow poor on the best we can give them witliout it; so they must go and pick up what thay can; it will soon be enough for them. " The lest G^'uin Farm ! " How much I should have liked to have been with you on your visit to " The Premium Farm of the Empire State." It shows what judgment, skill, and "abundant capi- tal" can do — and it is -the three combined which do the work. Too many farmers, when they get a few dollars ahead, buy more land, instead of ini- proving what they already have. Ten to oiie, tht. latter would be the more profitable course, '•'•Ex])e7'iments on Indian Corn'''' I should like to see repeated in a dozen different cases. I hope the continued offer of the premium l)y the State Soci- ety will indtice repeated trials, and that you will be among the competitors another year, '■^ Johnston'' s Agricultural Chemistry,'''' though scarcely an "American agricultural book," is well worthy the popularity it has obtained in this coun- try. No farmer's library is complete without it, and we hope it will be read by the young, especially. '■'■Curing Hay'''' is often prolonged beyond all reason. Your correspondent has the right practice on this subject. Cut when free frow dew aiid rain, and grass will soon cure, and be a great deal better than if riper and dried longer. '■'■Underdraining'''' is a subject of which your readers will not tire, especially if treated as practi- caUy as by Mr. Caldwell. Let all who can, give their experience iu the matter. 174 THE GENESEE FARMER. " Thovfjhts ly the Wayside,'" of the character ]iere indicated, are too often called out when travel- in.fr, and sometimes even at home. Let us look into the "holes and corners" of our practice, and see "vvhere we can amend, '■'■Sowing Grass Seed in the Fall,'''' if done early — as soon as the first of September — will succeed first rate. The young grass must have time to get rooted before winter. This we have tried to our satisfac- tion, and would prefer September seeding in all cases, were not other work then so hurrj-ing, and a drouth often to be feared. We shall seed some 15 acres on oats, this spring — and in the fall, also, if it does not prove successful. ^'Reaping and Moioing Machines^'' will in a few years hang up the scythes and cradles on most farms, because they not only do the work quicker, but tetter, and cheaper, — and, prove a thing eco- nomical to a Yankee, and it is bound to go. '•'• Horticultural Hints.'''' Give us more of them. Thej' are of the practical kind, such as will be of use in farmers' gardens. I trust every reader will have something to do with gardening, if it is no more than to raise a few flowers in the window. Those who have room, should not neglect the vegetable garden, as directed last month. b. Niagara Co., N. Y., 3fay, 1S58. NOTES FOE THE MONTH. -BY S. W. Those Corn'-Geowixg Experiments. — I had be- fore read this truly important prize essay in the State Journal, and could but regret that so paltry a sum should be awarded for so much costly, pains- taking labor, when so much money is yearly squan- dered by our Patent Oftice Department in worse than useless seed importations, etc. One fact is established by these experiments, to wit : that our Western New Y(jrk soils are not yet exhausted of their potash, like the eastern soils, as 400 lbs. of unleached maple ashes gave no more crop than 100 lbs. of gypsum, even on sandy land. On Long Island or in Rhode Island the result would have been very difierent. The largest yield — 125 bushels of ears — was undoubtedly due to the double dose of Peruvian guano ; but it should be remem- bered that guano is not a permanent stimulus, like stall manure, which is also rich in ammonia both actual and potential. But the most note-worthy and singular result, as well as the most important to agriculture, is the effect of superphosphate of lime (soluble bone earth) on the early growth of Indian corn, and on the per- manent growth of the Chinese sugar cane, whose stalks were increased one-half by its application ; yet, however strange, to the cereal yield of corn it added nothing! The result of these experiments with lime phos- phates must give an increased reputation to the Mexican and inferior guanos, poor in ammonia salts, but rich in phosphate of lime, as manure for herba- ceous plants, sugar cane, etc. Ameeican Institute — New York Farmers' Club. — There has of late been an issue joined at the Farmers' Club in Gotham, between Wm. Law- ton and others in favor, and H. Greeley against, plowing in green clover for manuring. As some dogmatism and very little argument has transpired to enlightea outsiders in the premises, it may be well to remark, that under certain conditions and circumstances, soiling cattle in the stalls and com- posting their droppings would be the most econom- ical, beside giving the most manure to the soil for the crops grown. But on the large, all-arable farms of Western New York, where help is capricious and dear, with no swamps or marsh from which to quarry peat or muck, the plowing in of green clover or stiff pasture sod as an amendment to the soil, is undoubtedly the most feasible and economical. R. G. Pardee asserted, at the club, that "crops are not improved for manure by passing through ani- mals;" yet he failed to say that animals are not sustained and improved by such a process I Anal- ogous to this assertion is that of Solon Robinson, that " a ton of wheat bran is worth as much for manure as a ton of guano." But methinks there is more pith, point, and practical instruction, in Solon's late grind-stone story. Those cheap Table Lands of Long Island. — On reading Dr. Peck's very descriptive advertise- ment of those peculiar scrub oak and pine plains, I could not but feel that the compact sea-washed sand and gravel of the antedeluvian ocean came nearer than eighteen inches of the surface in many places, or these lands, forty miles from New York, would not have remained thus long unimproved when otfered at fifteen dollars an acre. Methinks apple trees, that send their roots many feet deep, and even red clover, with its long roots, could hardly llourish with such a detritus subsoil. The Value of Oilcake Meal. — A neophyte in chemistry, who says he got his first and best lesson in agricultural chemistry from your last Rural Annual, having read your notice, in the last Farm- er, of Mr. Swan's cheap oilcake, came to-day in hot haste to advise Knox that his oilcake was worth at least three dollars extra per ton, solely for the manure it made. Happening to be present, I told him that Emery's Journal said that the American double hydraulic presses rendered the cake as innutritions as dry chips. "A Daniel come to judgment," Avas his rej^ly; "the pressing only condenses the manurial value by taking ofl:" the oil, which is worth no more than dry chips for ma- nure." But Emery evidently considered the value of the cake in reference to its fat-forming elements only. Thei-e can be no doubt but that the manure from the animal fed on the pressed cake, is worth much more than it would be if the same weight of flax seed was substituted for the ground cake. The Rhode Island Long White French Turnip. — This is probably of the ruta baga family, as it requires the same soil and treatment; but its flesh is very white and delicate, and free from the strong flavor of the baga. It does not yield as well by one-third, but it is a delicious winter and spring turnip for the table. There is another variety here of a rounder form, called Sweet Turnip, but not as good as the white. Waterloo, N. Y., May, 1S58. Wakefield's Hand Corn Planter, mentioned in answer to "R. S." in the May No., is a good implement and works well. A little more strength in the working parts, would increase its value. — We have improved ours by riviting to the wood the part which is pressed into the ground, the small screws used at first will not last. j. n, b. THE GENESEE FAKMER. 1Y5 HOW TO MAKE BAD BUTTER. So many of our able correspondents have told us Low to make good butter, that it may be interest- ing to some of our readers to learn how to make lad butter. Our respected friend Petees, of Gen- esee county, furnishes the Rural Kew- Yorler some excellent rules for the guidance of those who are desirous of excelling in this particular branch of rural economy. "The first step to be taken is, of course, to get your cows. If you purchase in the spring, get those which have been so badly wintered that they can hardly get up alone. If you have to help them up by the tail, all the better. If you winter them yourself, be cautious not to give them any shelter, no matter how bad the weather may be. If possi- ble, don't give them a chance to get on the warm side of the barn or shed during snow storms, or cold storms of rain and snow. A little comfortable care might be injurious when they come to be milked in the spring. Keep them on nmsty, boggy hay, or rotten straw, and fodder when most con- venient, only not too often. If this system is faith- fully adhered to, and the cow is fool enough to live through and have a calf, the milk will be innocent of anything but a weak thin cream. '•Having obtained the milk, there are various vfiMjs for getting the creara. The most approved is to put it through a strainer that will stop a good sized potato, as by that means you secure such an admixture of foreign substances as will insure the adliesion of the particles, upon the same principle, I suppose, that masons mix hair with their mortar for plastering. If the weather be warm, set the milk in some warm room, and, if possible, near the sink or some other highly scented locality. As cream is very sensitive to the odor around it, this will secure the transfer to the butter of the strongest in circulation — an important point. Do not skim the milk, if you can help it, until the cream gets mouldy and slightly rancid. The stronger it gets, the stronger will be the butter. After skimming, let the cream stand several days in a warm room. This will help the flavor of the butter very much, and go far toward producing the desired taste and smell. "After the creara is churned, and the butter 'come,' take it out of the churn with your hands. If they do not happen to be exactly clean at tlie moment, do not stop to wash them, as butter-milk is capital to whiten the hands, and make them look clean and delicate. Beside, soap and water are apt sometimes to make one's hands chap and look rough. Work the butter by hand, especially if soft and oily, and put in a good supply of coarse salt, as salt is cheap ; and if you are not so stujiid as to work it out in the butter-milk, it will help the butter weigh, and keep it from being eaten too rapidly when it gets upon the table. "Pack the butter in tubs, as fast as you can make it ; put a cloth over the tub, and let it stand in a damp, musty cellar. If the keg or tub gets pretty dirty outside, it will help the sale, " In the summer, it will be important to let the cows run in a scanty pasture, and by all means compel them to drink from stagnant pools or ponds. You will be in great danger of losing all your labor if they have gooles are about ripe ; then the orchard is cleared entirely, until the fruit is cared for. The sheep are afterward allowed to re- turn, but not to remain to eat the grass down too closely. We rather save a good bite over for spring — or rather save it that the grass may be earlier and better in spring. b. Niagara Co., X. Y., 2Iay, 1S53. 178 THE GENESEE FARMER. THE SUBJECTS FOR PRIZE ESSAYS. The following article briefly alluding to some of the subjects which have been suggested for Prize Essays, will be read with interest : Messes. Editors. — All I know on the several subjects which you mention shall here be given. Never raised a hop for market. Best harrow I ever used was a Geddes harrow. I have tried several different harrows lately, be- cause I have borrowed all the same kind — the square hinged harrow, teeth round on what should be the point, and usually cultivating the ground to the depth of one to two inches. My land has some stone. It is so much work to raise that part of the drag to which the team is attached to clear it of stone, that I don't do it, and my men wont. ( We all pretend to.) A harrow should go as deep as a plow, and we fail wonderfully in the use of them, hecaiise we are not Avilling to jsut another team to draw a good one. My sheep never had bean straw but once ; then they broke into the field and consumed the crop. Did not see any particular elFect on the sheep. On stacking and feeding out straw — no experi- ment— of course not; but I guess straw is better worth saving than farmers usually imagine. My loss in stacking straw has been in not keeping the middle of the stack sufficiently full and well trod- den. Stacks are built in a hurry ; the weight is mostly in the centre, and when it settles it leaves the stack inclined to talce water instead of shedding. The best place to stack is in a straw-barn, or to put the straw back in the place it came from, which, latter can be done at small expense. Feed it plen- tifully in racks, with grain besides, and clean the racks at every foddering. A farm-house cellar should be high enough to allow the swinging of the cleaver in cutting up pork; cement bottom; double outside doors and double windows ; the bottom smoothed with a straight edge, and a channel left around the out- side, to carry away water which may get in, to the drain. Never colored any butter excepting by feeding iry cows with rich food. Barn-yards should be warm and dry. Should milk my cows twice a day, if they give much milk, because — because — I have always been in the habit of it — as was my father before me. One of my neighbors told me that by bandoging and covering the cheese with cloth, the flies did not trouble them; hxxt I donH hiow. Save my cheese by eating them. No man can keep stock profitably without shel- ter, and certainly not as a christian. 1 have cut corn stalks with Burrall's cutting box, (sickle edge to the knives,) by horse power, and the well cured stalks were eaten clean, and the stock did well; but poor stalks might as well be fed whole, excepting they are inconvenient to draw out, spread, and plow under. Best time in the winter; best place in the stable; best way, in a manger. Never tried about the value of milk churned as compared with the churning of cream. Did not know there was any poison sumac, and glad there is one weed that is new to me. It would be impracticable for me to adopt the ten hour system, and imprudent. Don't know about taking off all the stone, but don't think any of my land has been injui-ed as yet, and I have picked a " power" of them. It would not pay me to cook the feed for my stock, I guess. I hate a mule, and like a horse, which would decide which I would raise. I doubt whether mules are more profitable than oxen. Farmers should adorn their homes before they become weathy, if they ever intend to do it. Make home pleasant, and you have lived to some purpose. Beautify with white wash, and hop-vines, and healthy children ; afterwards with paint, and green- houses, and statuary, and fountains. By the by, one of my neighbors has a fountain through which the water rises in beautiful jets, and I must con- fess to a little pride in it myself, that it is in my town. It is refining and civilizing in its effects. — How may it be done ? By taking a little time that you never will miss, and doing wliat your wife want you to, and wJien she wants it. Six months in the year is as long as my cattle want to be in the stable. I fancy it does them good to get out; but I don't ^^lowiinything about it. It is desirable to have as much stock of all kinds as you can keep well. Farmers should not have all their eggs in one basket. Have a house within your means, and barns and sheds enough to hold all you raise, to stable all your cattle, and shelter all your sheep and colts. You want good tools, and plenty of them. I have tried this. I have owned plenty and good ones, and I have borrowed. I am glad that I have tried one thing. Make fruit stealing something more than trespass; put a man in jail or prison for it, and you have done something to encourage fruit growing. A better and more efficacious way would be to teach children not to steal. From all that I have read about transplanting, I should think either spring or fall, whichever time you had most leisure to do it well. The dollar book I will furnish you when you call for it at my house, provided yov read this letter all tlirough. I told you I was ditching some. By Thursday I shall have completed my thousand rods of ditch, or thereabouts, this spring. It is doing a great work for my field — ditches average about 40 ft. apart, 2^ ft. deep. Get my tile in Rochester, and bring them up by railroad. saml. l. fullee. Conesm Centre., JV Y. May 185S. Preparing Fire Wood in the Fall. — Mr. B., in his " suggested items. No. 19," says : " Get up your wood in the winter, enough to last a year; saw and split it in the spring." For many, this advice is very good ; but for my part, I prefer getting my wood in the summer, or early in the fall, and for this reason, that I can gather a great deal of good wood at that time which I can not get at in the winter ; and then all I gatlier is dry, and by tliis practice my farm is cleared up of all roots and chunks, and moreover, chopping, sawing, and si^litting, is saved, and you have Avood that can easily be kindled on a cold morning. Mr. B.'s plan is good where wood is plenty, and where green wood is relied on. S. K. — Wrychnan's Corners., C. TF., Aj^ril, 1858. - THE GEKESEE FARMER. 179 THE MANAGEMENT OF PERMANENT GRASS LAND. OuE two best grasses for permanent pasture are Kentucky blue grass and herds grass or red top. Limestone soils are best for the blue grass, and those called freestone will pay best in herds grass. Where the chmate is not too hot, clover and timo- thy will prosper in either kind of soU. The pro- cess should be the same on all soils, but should be varied according to the natural friability or com- pactness of the surface. To get a stand of grass, make the surface compact, and keep it so. In open fields, the land may be sowed in rye early in tlie fall. Then sow two gallons of timothy seed per acre, and harrow and roll until the surface is well packed. Let your cattle and horses graze and trample this pasture well., till spring begins to open. Then (in hmestone land) sow per acre four lbs. blue grass seed and ten lbs. red clover seed, on the firm surface ; but if the surface be not firm, roll it till it is. In freestone lands, the blue grass should be omitted, and herds grass sowed in its stead, at the rate of one bushel per acre. The lot should now be allowed to grow tQl near harvest, when you may turn in your stock to graze it down, or harvest the rye and graze it afterwards. In either event, stock must not be allowed to remain and graze close enough to expose the roots of the young grass to the hot sun. From this time the lot must be allowed to grow up till nearly the time for frost ; and then the more it is grazed and tramped, till the beginning of the next spring, the better. After your grass is one year old, the system should be the same every year. You are to let nothing touch the grass from the earliest dawn of spring, till it is al>out to make seed. Then it must be grazed off rapidly, so as not to allow the seed to mature, because this would exhaust the roots, and make the grass puny for a whole year afterwards. Having thus pastured down your grass at the right time, take off the stock till it grows up again. — • You may turn on, and graze it down as often as the season will allow it to produce a luxuriant crop. During hot weather, never graze so closely as to admit the hot sun to the roots of the grass ; and during the fall and wnnter, graze it closely, and allow it to be completely and heavily tramped by stock till the beginning of spring. Feed your stalk fodder, millet, and other forage, to your cattle on the lot, in a new place every day, during the win- ter. Besides this, a top dressing of lime and barn manure every third year, will further improve the pasture. Any weeds, briars, or bushes, not de- stroyed by the stock, should be cut down with a scythe during the summer. The more cross fences you can afford to have, the more luxuriant will be your grass, because this will allow the grazing of all lots in rapid rotation, so as not to bruise or wound the grass long at a time, in any '.'one lot. And let it be impressed, that to keep your stock constantly oj^, or constantly on, any one lot, would alike ruin it. But if you desire a winter pasture, (especially of blue grass, which withstands cold weather well,) you may, without injur}', set apart a lot for winter, after having grazed off the seed stalks in the spring as before directed. This lot should then be grazed no more till in the winter after all other lots have been fed completely down. In this system, the clover and timothy are fore runners, in the one case, for the blue grass, and in the other, for the herds grass. They will take immediate possession of the soil, afford pasture, keep down weeds, and then give way as the other grasses form a sod. f. h. joedon, m. d. Home, Smiih Co., Tenn. i» •■^— LOOK TO THE COTJCH GRASS. The white runner, quick, or quack grass, deserves some notice from agriculturists — not for its worth, but from the fact that it has become a serious nui- sence in many portions of the country, and is yearly increasing. Once fairly seated upon a farm, it is a laborious task to remove it. Some think differ- ently, supposing it can be destroyed in one season by summer-fallowing, sowing to buckwheat, or fall plowing. Either of the above methods may reduce it, but wUl not entirely destroy it. Much mischief follows this supposition. It is allowed to spread, from the belief that it can be exterminated as if h\ magic, when ever it is desirable to do so. Let me say to such, it is a mistake. Years of labor will be necessary ; and should every inch of tilable land be cleansed, it may still be lurking in fence corners, or under walls, and will need to be watched with jeal- ous eye, as it wiU be creeping forward more or less evei'y year. Where it has not made much pro- gress, but may be found in small patches, take a dung fork and dig it out, and remove it to some place where it will not grow ; and when plowing, small patches may be noticed, perhaps so small as to be thought little of; but now is the time ; — stop the plow and pick it out, root and branch. A min- ute may do it now, but if you pass it by, it may require an hour or a day when observed again. — This is my method, and one that will not fail me without I get too lazy, or in some way fail to stoop to small things. d. leatheescioh. Caledonia, Livingston Co., N". Y, The Wat to have Good Roads. — Your corres- pondent from Adams' Basin gives us the secret of making good roads and keeping them so, when he says, " If a deep cut occurs, have it the duty of some one to fill it up directly." To accomplish this, let us pay our highway taxes in money, as we now pay other taxes, and have the money expended in the several districts by employing men on pur- pose. The present laws were good in the early set- tlement of the country, when every man felt a deep interest in the making of roads. The operation of the present tax is unequal. If each man was com- pelled to pay 40 cents per day, which would be cheaper than to work his tax feirly and honestly, we could have men to keep the roads in repair. I hope we shall soon get No. 3 from M. H. It is a subject that will bear discussion. Saml. L. FcLLEE. — Conesus Centre, K F., Ajn'il, 1858. OxJLTivATioN OF CoRN^. — When the corn comes up, hari'ow well ; when large enough to plow, plow deeply and constantly, causing the roots to strike down until the time of shooting ; then the cultivator must be used both ways. By the former deep plow- ing, the ground is left loose for the roots to strike out when the stalk requires the greatest nourish- ment. To make the longest and' best filled ears, is what the farmers are seeking for. * ISO THE GENESEE FARMER. TmOTHY-WHEN SHOULD IT BE CUT. Editors Genesee Farmer : — It seems to me a little remarkable that farmers can not agree as to the best period for cutting timothy, some insisting that it ought to be cut in the blossom, or as soon as it is cast ; others, when the seed is mature. It was once thought that the agricultural chemists would settle matters of this kind to the satisfaction of all ; now it is understood that their analyses must be received with a good deal of hesitation. AVhen Leibig's works were published, many farmers were almost persuaded to believe that, with a sack of prepaired fertilizers in one hand, and a bushel of grain in the other, all l)arren places would yield abundant harvests. But these dreams have passed, and we are remitted to practical experiments m the iield ; so let us settle this matter among ourselves. I propose that you request twenty farmers to cut timothy in each stage, feed both kinds of hay, and report the result to you. An ounce of nutritive matter to the square foot makes a large difference, one way or the other, in twenty acres ; and the stomachs of twenty live cattle, on this subject, are worth the analyses of forty chemises — not that the opinions of these gentlemen are entitled to great respect ; they have thrown a flood of light around our piu'suits and constrained science to dignify and adorn our profession. Let them ever be honored for having taught the holder of the plow to reason as he drives Ins teams over fields, beevix. POTATO EYES FOR SEED. Editors Genesee Farmer: — For the past six years I have experimented considerably in potato planting, and am convinced that most perfect crops of large potatoes will be produced from the eyes only, with a piece of the potato not larger than (jne's thumb nail. I think three eyes are enough to the hill ; and if the hills are three and a half feet apart, the crop can be easily and perfectly cul- tivated with the shovel-plow alone, without the aid of the hand-hoe, though probably the harrow is best for the first dressing. A larger crop can be obtained by planting in drills, witli one eye every eight inches ; but in drills, more labor is necessary to cultivate thoroughly. I am not yet satisfied which are best for seed, large or small potatoes. So much depends on the season, that experiments, carefully conducted for a long series of years, would be necessary to give one accurate knowledge on this point. It does not seem to make much difference how dry the eyes become before planting, and T am not sure but it Avill be found most economical to keep eyes for seed which have been cut in the fall, and thoroughly dried; I merely make the suggestion for others to try. I am inclined to the opinion that potatoes- raised from such seed will be com- paratively exempt from the rot. At any rate, let it be tried. I have never tried any too dry to groic loell and x>roduce large potatoes, although the sprouts, when first up, have a very slender, dis- couraging appearance. To those living where pota- toes are worth a dollar per bushel, this may seem of some importance, while here, where they are worth but ten cents, men may laugh at the idea ; yet it is of importance to all. c. eeackett. BochesUr, Fulton Co., Ind., April, 1S58. A TEW THOUGHTS ON AGRICULTURE. Editors Genesee Farmer: — In making a good farm of 2^oor land, a good deal of labor and skill is required. After the land is cleared of the incum- bant wood, the next thing is to get off the stones. These should be taken off as soon as practicable, for they are a serious incumbrance, costing more to "work over and around them than to remove them ; besides, they do, if properly laid up, form fences almost as enduring as the soil itself. The land being cleaned of surface rubbish, the next thing is to see that no water stands upon or slowly filters through the soil, to the bottom of the slopes, carrying off a vast amount of needed heat, or turn- ing sour and injuring or destroying the crops. — Unless your land will clear itself of water so as to be fit to work in twenty-four hours after a heavy rain, it needs underdrainlng. But this is a rather costly job, and should be well done, if done at all ; otherwise it is money thrown away. So, unless yon are al)undantly supplied with the needful, do not try to do too much. But no man who is rich enough to own an acre of land, is so poor as not to be able to do something every j'ear at draining. As it is a business that can be done at all seasons of the year when the ground is not frozen hard, so lay your plans as to invest every spare hour in digging ditches and laying drains ; and if you have never seen it tried, you will be surprised to see the effect it will produce; and once fairly begun, you will not be likely to stop until the whole farm is drained. Manure is not worth half price on wet land. After having the land well cleared, well fenced, and well drained, the next thing is to have it well manured. Nothing will come amiss that will decay. But no part of the farm labor needs a more thorough reform than the present method of making and saving manures, not more than one half as much manure is made the country through as might be. That which is made is not worth more than one half as much as it would be if properly taken care of. I keep my manure under cover, and prevent as far as possible, all fermentation, until it is put into the earth, where the escaping gases are caught and retained. I stable all my animals, thereby sav- ing all the manure, instead of letting it be scattered over the f;irm to be washed away by the rains and and melted snows. I feed cut feed altogether, belie^^ng it pays well for the extra labor. Steam the feed and put a little bran or meal on it. By this means, straw, hay, cornstalks, and all, are eaten up entirely, there not being as much wasted in a week as in a single day where long feed is fed ; and I may add, my animals keep in better condition on less food. G. C. LYMAN. Lynn, Susguehanna Co., Fa. Experiment in Feeding Cooked ts. Raw Corn. — I weislied two of my Chester county white sows. No. 1 weighed 392 lbs. ; No. 2, 380. They were something over a year old, and of the same litter. I fed them 17 days. No. 1, on unground boiled corn, consumed 2 bushels and 21 quarts, and gained 36 lbs. No. 2, fed on unground raw corn, con- sumed 3 bushels and 13 lbs, and gained only 30 lbs. They were fed with thin slop (for drink) both alike. I purchased one of Hedge's steamers for cooking feed for stock, which answers a good purpose. — Thos. "Wood. — Penningtonmlle, Chester Co., Pa. THE GENESEE FARMER. 181 FENCING. Editoes Genesee Fahmeb: — Fencing is becom- ing an important subject to farmers ; and to many it is serious difficulty, even now, to procure mate- rials iu sufficient quantities to fence tlieir farms into convenient fields. Hedges are ever foremost in our thoughts, as the future resource for permanent and ornamental fences ; but tlie great difficulty, at present, is the want of a suitable plant, combining a variety of qualities, such as, we fear, no one plant will be found to possess. It should have the prickles of the Osage Orange, or Hawthorn, the hardihood of the Buckthorn, and, to relieve the monotony of a Canadian winter, the evergreen garment of the hemlock. The Osage Orange, I think, will not thrive where the peach tree is so frequently killed as in Canada ; the Hawthorn is about given up ; tlie Native white thorn is little prized ; and it now rests solely with the Buckthorn, whicli, though not pretty, is hardy and sure. The Cockspur and Washington thorns are frequently mentioned, but little known here. — Tlie White Cedar makes a pretty ornamental hedge, I planted a few rods two years ago, which is get- ting quite thick. A year ago, I jilanted 40 rods with cedar and tamarack, which I have no doubt will do well. Where stone is abundant and obstructs cultiva- tion, the plan suggested in the May number of the Fan'mer may be adopted with profit ; for it serves two purposes — that of clearing the land, and build- ing a permanent fence. There are two kinds of fences which I can strongly recommend to the notice of farmers, for economy and durability. The first is described on page 35 of the Farmer for 1857, vrhich is simply rail and toggle fence, I make it as follows : plow and shovel a ridge of land sis feet wide and one foot high; then lay stones, a foot thick, for the rails to rest on in the centre of the ridge, and bank up to the bottom rail. Four rails or toggles then well staked and ridered make a high fence, with about half the number of rails used in an ordinary zig zag fence, half the land to set it on, and much less time to make it. The stakes being set within the ridge, are not liable to heave with frost. The other method appeared in the Canadian Agricul- turist last year, and, with a few alterations, is made as follows : PIoav a straight furrow six inches deep ; every sixteen feet, put in a small post one foot lower than the furrow ; ram them tight and straight in a line ; then saw them oif four and a half feet above the surface; next, nail strips of board, six inches wide on top of the posts, two nails in each end. Then take pickets, split as near as possible four niches wide, and two inches thick, and five feet long ; place them in the furrow, three, four, or five inches apart, and drive a nail through the cap board into the top of each picket ; fill up the fur- row and tramp it hard ; then plow two or three furrows on each side, to bank up and form a ditch a foot deep, which will prevent heaving by frost. — ■ Cover the bank with sward or seed it down, and the fence is finished. This makes the cheapest, neatest, and altogether the best wooden fence I know of, SIGMA. Woodstock, C. W. CLEAEING BUSH LAND. Editors Genesee Fakmek: — In autumn, before the snow falls, cut up all fallen timbers and also cut down all small timbers, (say six or eight inches through,) and be sure to cut them low enough to allow the harrow to pass over them. Place the brush wood parallel with as little cross work as possible. Then go through felling the largest of the trees, — if possible, east and west, north and south, as the land will best allow, leaving the trunlvs of them whole as a foundation for rolHng heaps. Then you are ready for a regular seige of chopping, always falling the medium trees on the foundations previously prepared, cutting their trunks from twelve to fourteen feet in length. By falling trees across the large trunks, it is oftea advantagous to leave two or three lengths, and swing them around parallel with the main portion. By so doing, they will some times, burn at the time of firning the brush, which is generally done in June. It is worthy of remark that hemlock or puie tim- bers can be burned away as well by one heap and a half, if used properly, as by three heaps if not used properly. First make a heap that will burn, leaving tliree or four logs laying near, to roll in as the fire gets low ; and by strict attention a hem- lock or a pine can be liurned through with the greatest ease. The branding up is simple and easy, after the heart is broken, t. j, ceewson. Morgantoion, C. W. ^»-«-^ CHEWED CORN STALKS AND MAD ITCH. Editors Genesee Farmer: — The editor of the Southern Planter says that several instances have been brought to his notice "where cattle have died from eating corn stalks which had been chewed by hogs," It has liappened invariaMy^ as far as my personal experience goes, that the mad itch occurred among cattle fed exclusively on corn stalks. Though I have never made any dissections of cattle which had died from this cause, yet I am told by those who have, that '"■ the stomachs are fiUed with the indigestible fibrous parts of the stalks, in ^oacZs, dry and hardy I can conceive that any kind of dry food — such as over ripe timothy, red top, clover, or prairie grasses — might induce the same or a similar con- dition of things ; and that plenty of salt, good icater^ and an occasional change of food, and dry sleeping places, would ever keep cattle free from disease of this or any other character. Stock well cared for are gentle, contented, tract- able ; but shut your cattle and hogs together in a filthy yard, feed on corn fodder alone, give no salt, water semi- occasionally, and you wiU have speci- mens of the '"'•mens insana in corpore insano" in the shape of viad itch or other kindred disease, and will help glut the market with bad upper, sole, and harness leather, c. brackett, Rochester, Ind., April, 1858. Chip Manure. — Your correspondent P, T, asks to know how chip manure may be disposed of to the best advantage. It is the best of manures for the garden, on heavy clay, that I ever tried, mak- ing the ground loose, and lasting for many years, and is good for all crops commonly raised in the 2;arden. A Young Farmer, — Vertion, Ind. 182 THE GENESEE FARMEPw. Fis. 1. HAEEOWS AND HAEEOWING. The haiTOW is nn indispensable implement in the cultivation of the soil, and next to the plow in its importance to the farmer. There are many forms given in its construction ; some of these we shall notice and describe. The Scotch or Square Harrow, when made of light timber and furnished with small and sharp teeth, is one of the most effectu- al for the pulver- ization of smooth land. Fig 1. suf- tioiently explains its arrangement and construction. Another form of Square Harrow in common use is shown in fig. 2. It requires less gearing, and accommodates itself to uneven land more perfectly than the former. Sometimes thirty, and sometimes thirty-six teeth are used. The Geddes Harrow (fig. 3) is said by good judges to be the best in use. Its wedge-like form enables it to pass obstructions easily, its ijiotion is more even and steady, and consequently easier for the team. An improvement in the draft is effected by attach- ing a chain to staples on each side, as far back as the second tooth. This prevents the har- row rising in the middle, as it will do if the traces are as short as they should be for easy draught. The timbers of this harrow may be of 3 by Fig. 2. 4-inch scantling, though for the square harrow 3 by 3-inch is sufficiently heavy. Three-quarter inch teeth are large enough for any purpose. They should be pointed with steel, and kept sharp. The cost is somewhat increased, but the improvement is real, to have a shoulder under- neath, and a nut screwing on at the top, as the teeth are then firm and can not drop out. A harrow made of good timber, with a good coat of paint, renewed as often as necessary, will last a long time. Harrows with wooden teeth are in common use among European farm- ers, and nowhere is har- rowing better under- stood or performed than in the old countries. — We may, and no doubt do, have as good imple- ments; but we do not use them as thoroughly — or as many times in succession. "\Ve are "a go-ahead people," but we are learning daily that thorough work is the T.'ork which pays. In the use of the harrow, the work may be facilitated by keeping the implement clear of sods and stones, and the speed of the team should be increased above that when employed at Fig. 3. the plow. A team will soon learn to walk just on the edge of the previously harrowed ground, and we would always give a lap of at least half the width of the implement. If we wished to go over the field three or four times, we would go each time in a ditferent direction — lengthwise the fur- row, crosswise, and diagonally. In this way, the pulverization would l)e the more eflfectually per- formed. " Serpentine harrowing " is some times practiced in Germany — the team is driven across each land and back, making a line resembling the letter S, or two figures of 8 place one mider the other. The action of the harrow tends to consolidate as well as to pulverize the soil ; and after plowing, it needs something of the kind to fit it for the best growth of plants. This is best performed with a good harrow — a poor one injures rather than bene- fits the soil. Let us look to this branch of practical tillage, that we perform it well. j. h. b. EACK POS FEEDING CATTLE. "A CHEAP and strong rack for feeding cattle," such as inquired after by Mr. Likket, of Iowa, may be made of boards and scant- ling, six feet square, as shown in figure 1, exhibiting one side of the same. The posts are four inches square; the horizontal scantling, a, two by four inches. A bottom may be laid in upon this, or it may be filled up with straw to this level. Each side is exactly alike; and when strongly nailed together, they will last for many years. Another form, on the same principle, may be described as follows : The posts, four by four scant- ling ; the lower board, from twenty to twenty-four inches wide ; the braces and upper board, ten inches wide ; of hard wood, and nailed together firmly with large wrought nails. Six feet square is sufficiently large for four head of cattle to eat fi-om without quarrel- mg, or being able to reach each other. Fig. 2 shows one side only, as in the first instance. These racks are in successful use by many farm- ers, and will save their cost in fodder in a single whiter. J. H. Punjalton, 2r. Y., May, 1&5S. m I fc India Eubbee Taps ok Boots Dttp.ixg- Haying. — If you think this worthy a place in your highly esteemed journal, and will give it room, I am cer- tain you will receive the thanks of many a luckless wight who has slipped "full oft" from his hay rack while pitching off" his load. It is well known by all hay makers, that the soles of boots or shoes, in the hot dry weather during haying, become smooth as glass, and fuU as uncertain for a foothold. Now to remedy this evil, I take the soles from a pair of cast-otF rubber shoes, and tack them to the bottoms of my boots. Since this has been my practice, I have at all times known where to find my feet whea I put them down. D. — Gates, U_.^-_ THE GENESEE FARMER. 183 FEEDING CALVES, Editoes Gexesee Fakmeb: — I propose to give you my plan for feeding calves. Now the usual X)ractice among farmers is to put them in a lot together, say from six to twelve, or more, if he raises more, and when the feeding time comes, to take all the boys he can muster, each with a beach gad and himself with an old pail for the calves to drink from. And now commences tlie war with rods, and the poor calves are severely chastised for acting from mstinct to obtain their share of mUk, which, under such circumstances, must be une- qually divided, as, many times, tvro or more calves will have their heads in the pail at the same time ; and at length the farmer and the boys escape from the lot, after receiving many a friendly bunt, with their pants sadly besmeared with the calves' saliva. Now my object is to propose a better plan, which is this : In the first place, set three posts or stakes in the ground in a straight line, then nail a board, eighteen inches wide and fourteen feet long, to the bottom of the stakes ; then nail another board to the stakes, six inches wide, raising the top board so as to leave one foot space between the two boards. This space I divide into six equal parts by nailing short pieces xip and down from the top to the bottom, leaving six openings ten inches \'i'ide, through which the calves will put their heads to drink. I then slip a rod or stanchion down through the centre of this opening. By having the space thus large, the calf will more readily put his head through. The rod may then be slipped down, securing his head on either side of the rod. My troughs I make from a stick of soft timber, four- teen feet long, G by 7, in which I make 6 troughs to correspond with the openings as above. This fixture may be placed in the corner of the lot where the calves run, or, if more convenient, may be boarded on three other sides, making an enclosure fourteen feet square, into which I take my milk to feed them, the trough of course being on the inside. The calves will learn, by managing them carefully a few times, to come each to his place readily. — One lad will feed a lot of calves in this way quicker and easier than four will in the way first described. Calves should have plenty of new milk the first month, after which I commence adding a little sour, and increase the proportion gradually, so that by the time they are two months old, they will drink sour and even lobbered milk like pigs. Calves should be kept in the l^arn, and fed on a little early cut hay or rowen until the grass starts ; for if they are stunted the first month, they will never out- grow it. I have in the above, described a fixture for feeding six calves ; the troughs may be increased according to the number to be fed. Jackson, Pa. REUBEN HARRIS. Corn Travel. — Emery's Journal of Agriculture says : A knight of the pencil — a farmer — estimates that it requires sixteen hundred miles travel in the culture of a hundred acres of corn, as ordinarily cultivated in the west. He claims that machinery ought to be invented, tools manufactured, by which this travel may be reduced to four hundred miles ; says it can be done with the same power now used. "We may cultivate two rows instead of one, and do it as well, at once crossing the field. e acres / a it did y arn be- f\ A BOY ON THE MOWING MACHINE QUESTION. Editors Genesee Farmer : — I am but a boy of fifteen, and take the liberty to write my views of a subject which is, or seems to be, in the minds of many fiirmers, veiled in uncertainty. In the April number of your paper is an article, written by Mr. E. A. Bundy, on " Cutting Grass or Grain by Machinery." The gentleman seems to think that the mowing and reaping machines ought to be entirely discarded for the old-fashioned scythe and sickle ; and to prove this, he gives as an exam- ple the essay of Mr. David Street in the January number. He says Mr. Street pretends to cut only six acres in two days. If so, Mr. Street is entirely behind the times. My father has cut twelve acres in one day, with his Ketchum's Mowei-, and not get wet either, being drawn into the ban fore such a catastrophe could happen. My lather says that but very few laborers can be hired that will cut more than an acre of grass in a day, and that the machine wUl do the work of ten men. Many of the men hired for haying and har- vesting take advantage of the farmer, by "the scarcity of hands," to charge exhorbitautly ; and this is in a great measure obviated by the mower. If Mr. Bundy's calculations beat "our Ohio' friend's, I rather thmk that mine beat his. AYe had seventy acres of wheat to cut, which was done in one week (minus one day and a half) by Ivetcl:- um's Mower and Reaper combined. When a rain comes up, it generally finds us prepared — the hay all in and the "mower undercover." My father y says tliat the machine saved its cost in one year. *■ \ Last year, we cut seventy acres of wheat and <■ fifty-five acres of hay. Of these, twenty acres were cut with a scythe, and it cost as much to cut the twenty acres as all the rest of the Avheat and hay j put together ; and I would say to Mr. Btjndy, that I if he wishes to see a mowing machine work, let him come out here, to old Lenawee county, in the old Peninsular State, and see the hay cut by a ma- chine as fast as ten men could cut it with scythe?^, even in New York. "When the machine is in opera- tion, all that is to be seen of it is a big wheel and the driver's seat. wjr. Alexander. Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Mich., April, 1S5S. Cultivation of Sweet Potatoes. — Our esteemed friend, Frank G. Ruffin, editor of the Southern Planter., published at Richmond, Va., in a private letter says: "You are altogether wrong, (excuse me,) as to the mode of getting the shoots — 'draws' we call them or slips — of the sweet potato. Never ' take up the tubers,' but press your hand on the ground that covers them, so as not to unsettle them too much in the bed, and draw the slip from the ground between the fingers spread open for that purpose. Never mind saving ' the side roots.' The slip will grow off as a cutting would. Indeed, in South Carolina the best crop is made from cuttings of cuttings of 'draws,' being in the third generation from the 'mother potato,' as we call it. By leav- ing the potato in the ground, you may get several drawings from the tuber. But you will never raise a sweet potato in New York that will be better fla- vored than a good pumpkin. A southern sand, not less than a southern sun, is what it wants. 184 TEE GENESEE FARl^IER. DO WE STIR THE SOIL TOO MUCH1 Messes. Editors:— I notice what Doct. Lee says in the Genesee Farmer^ page 110, and dissent from the Doctor's opinion. I heg leave to give you my views on that subject. Mr. E. Biixi^^tslet and the Doctor seeni to think that American farmers give their land too much plowing : it may he so in Georgia, the now residence of the Doctor, or in Illinois, the home of Mr. Billinslet, but it is not so in the county of Seneca, State of New York. I get my best crops of Avheat when I plow my fallow four times during summer, and use the large wheel cultivator at least twice ; and the better I pulverize my fallow, the better my wdieat crop. The Doctor says: "If a farmer turns over his manure heaps several times during the summer and autunm, and permits rain and sunshine to fall upon tliem, the organic matter will rapidly ferment, rot, and dissolve and disappear, and in a few years the manure, if thus treated, will be dissipated." T^iis I deny. There is not one year in twenty that we get too much rain on our manure heaps, if properly heaped in spring, while there is ten years in twenty that they would be greatly benefitted by oiie or two turnings; and if the Doctor will make a heap of 150 loads, or as much more as he chooses, and turn it for two years, I have no doubt he will find it produce a much better crop than manure that has not been turned. Beside, manure, in my opinion, must be fermented to make it valuable for the first crop. Take fresh manure from the yard and apply it to spring crops, and with me it does no good with that crop. But if fanners will not ex- periment, they can not find out such things ; theory or science will never teacii them. Yet on sandy or shmy gravelly soils it may be ditferent; in- deed, theory would teach me it would be so, as those soils consume manure much more rapidly than clayey soils like mine ; and in that case no man can dictate to another how to treat liis ma- nure, or soils so far distant as Georgia or Illinois. But one thing I firmly believe — that manure re- quires a good deal of rain after it is heaped, and turning beside ; it also requires age to make it most efficient in raising crops on my land. I am aware that both science and theory will scofl:' at some of these assertions, but I cannot help that ; when I put pen to paper, I must write what I be- lieve I have proved beyond any doubt in my own mind. joiin Jo^^*STON. JW'ctr Geneva, May, 185S. PLAN OF A FAKM-HOTISE. Messes. Editoes : — I send you a rough sketch of our house. The main body is 21 by 28 feet, 1-|- stories high ; the lower rooms 9 feet high, the ni)per 8 feet, and all square corners, or no slopes to fit the roof. The sihs are 8 by 10 inches, of white oak or red beech ; the corner posts 5 inclies square ; the window and door studs 5 by 4 mches, the others 5 by 2 inches, and they all, where practicable, extend from the sill to the plates or rafters. The joists of the second floor extend from side to side of the buUding, and are secured to the studs. The plates are to match the 5 inch studs, and the joists rest on top of tliem and are secured to the plates and rafters too. This is in tlie main body. The studs in the wing are about 12 feet long, or the plates are about GROUND Deain Tiles — How Does Water get into them ? — If the soil contains water and the drain tiles have an outlet, "M. P.," of Ind., will find it difficult to keep the water from getting into the tile; though on a heavy clay, if the soil taken from the bottom of the drain was returned and puddled in, it might have that effect. The pores of the tile, to say noth- ing of the crevices between the joints, furnish abun- dant room for the admission of water. On clays, like those mentioned above, it is usual to fill in first the earth taken from the surface, as that is of a more porous character. P. M. — Eoyalton, Niag- ara County, AT. Y. CROUXD PLAN OF A FARM-HOUSE. 2i feet above the chamber floor, and the roof slants on to the main roof The studs to the wood-house are about 8 feet long, and the roof runs on to the roof of the wiug, with an extension over the passage between the kitchen or cook-room, and wood-house. The sides of the whole are covered with 1-^ inch hemlock boards, nailed on diagonally, or bracing, and then clapboarded and finished well. Desceiption of Ground Plan. — Porch, 5 feet wide; D, dining-room; II, hall; P, parlor; K, kitchen; C, closet; M, milk-room; B, bed-rooms, and a clothes-press between, 3 by 10 feet, with a cliimney (c,) so made that a stove-pipe may enter it from the dining-room without having the pipe en- danger the house. In the wood-house we have a floor about 8 feet wide, on the same level Avith the other floors. The main door for wood has no sill except a stone one, not liable to rot. There are two stairways, one from the dining-room and the other from the kitchen, and under the kitclien stairs are the cellar stairs, e is the chimney for parlor and kitchen, and suits the chambers as well as below. The cehar is under the whole house except the wood- house, and 8 feet deep. The whole cost through- out, not including board, about $1,200. If any of your readers desire any further informa- tion, I will cheerfully give it. Little Genesee, 2^. Y.,Ma^ch,l853. D. EDWAEDS. THE GENESEE FARMER. 185 PLAN OF AN OCTAGON HOUSE. FIRST FLOOR PLAN. Messes. Editoks : — The subject of farm-houses is too much neglected by people, as a matter of study. Attempting to build a house without con- sidering what are the reqi;isites necessary in a con- venient dwelling, is nearly as bad as to attempt to build without tlie aid of carpenter and joiner. I think this a matter of much importance to the farm- ing community, and send you a few hints with a plan of a house, in hopes by so doing to induce some abler hand to take up the subject and do it justice. The outside form of a house is generally tlie first thing to be considered, not that it is of most impor- tance, but because it depends in a great degree on the form Avhether it contains the room necessary to be divided eco- nomically, and at the same time present a uniform outside ap- pearance. I give in the accompanying plan of an Octagon House, a slight pro- jection of five feet on each side, in order to impi'ove the outside appearance, and make the rooms of the proper shape inside, (which is the most diflicult thing to overcome in arranging octagon plans ;) and by placing a veranda around the front, secure an unbroken line on the first story. The roof is com- posed of four gables, placed at right angles, with a dome in the centre to light the staircase hall, which I think an improvement on an eight-sided roof. The first story should be ten feet high in the cleai", and the second eight feet. The cellar is divided into four rooms, as I think it is better to have sepa- rate apartments for milk, fruit, vegeta- bles, &c. The main floor is arranged as follows: A. is the dining-room; B. the kitchen ; 0. parlor, D. nursery or bed- room; E. entries; F. hall ; G. bath-room ; H. pantry ; J. closets; d. doors. The second story is divided into four large bed-rooms, with a large closet to each. The cellar may be a perfect octagon, and the pro- jections underpinned, if preferred, Avhich will be less expensive. *>!*** SECOND FLOOK PLAN. PLAN OF A FARM-HOUSE. GROUND FLOOR. Editors Genesee Faemer : — The house of which the following is a description Avas built in 1 354, of brick, by the direction of the subscriber, whose wish was to combine plainness, convenience, utility and durability together, Avith the intention of not letting the cost exceed $2000. By a reference to the diagram, it Avill be seen that every room can be entered without passing —-—^ — I through another ; and as rrrxiil I doubt not some will object to 'the smallness of the Isitchen, let me observe that its conven- ience to the dining-room is such, that the table is always set in the latter, the kitchen being used only as a cooking room. For a lai'ge family, its size should be extended. Ground Floor. — ] , entrance hall, 7 by 19; 2, parlor, IG^by 19; 3, family bed-room, 16^ by 19; 4, dining room, 16 by 20 ; 5, kitchen, 8 by 10 ; 6, bath-room, 4 by 8 ; 7, porch, 6 by 8; 8, passage; 9, pump; 10, oven; 11, fire-place; 12, ash-house; 13, wood-house; 14, coal-house. Chamber Floor. — 15, passage ; IG, 17, front bed- rooms; 18, 19, back bed-rooms; 20, upper porch, 8 by 20. A, A, cupboards; C, clothes-presses. The house fronts the west, which throws the porches and kitchen on the sunny side. The pump, oven, &c., are imdcr a lean-to shed, accessible without stepping from under shelter. A door in the kitchen opens on the cellar steps, which run down under those in the dining-room. — The cellar extends un- der the front of the house, and is divided into two rooms, and paved with brick. chamber floor. By keeping an account as the building progressed, I am able to state the cost, which was a trifle over $1,700, counting my own labor, boarding hands, and all except the stone in the quarry and the oak timber in the woods. The pine lumber, of Avhich all the doors, door and window frames, board par- titions, and some of the floors, are made, was hauled from the Ohio river, fourteen miles distant. Although this may not be as grand a mansion as some would Avant, yet the subscriber thinks that for real service and comfort it is superior to many which pass for good homes. Geo. Cattell. — N'ear Earrisville^ Harrison Co.^ Ohio. Rack for Sheep. — I would say in answer to Edayard Linnet's inquiry concerning racks for feeding cattle, that the one represented in the December No. of the Farmer for 1857, is a very good one. The size can be varied according to the stock. J. 0. Daaves. — LeEaysville, Maij, 1858. I 1 186 THE GENESEE FARMER. CHEAP LUXUEIES, There are not a few persons in every circle, and within tlie range of every one's observation, who esteem an article according to its cost, and not ac- cording to its intrinsic excellence and value. To such minds, a rare and expensive article of dress or of curiosity, possesses a value which to other per- sons seems quite disproportionate and out of all rea- son : they cannot see the use of spending so much upon that which seems no better than the common articles, except that it is rare or costly. Many of those articles commonly called luxuries fall Avithin this class, and are esteemed simply because they are not common ; but there also various luxuries, prop- erly so called, which have an intrinsic excellence, as well as a value arising from scarcity, and the dif- ficulty of production, which always has and alwaj's will recommend them to public notice and favor. Among this latter class of luxuries are many of the products of the fruit, the flower and the vege- table garden. How to produce these luxuries cheaply, and how to place them in the hands of the people, is the study of the pomologist, the nursery- man, and the gardener. In a few words, we shall try to help on the cause, and endeavor to show that it is quite practicable to have some cheap luxuries. To a refined and cultivated taste, there is no pleasure more unalloyed and simple than that which arises from the sight of beautiful flowers, trees and fruits; their changing forms and colors, as growth, development and decay accompany the changing seasons, give a continually new and fresh sense of pleasure to the beliolder. The heart from which envrj is banished, receives daily new and rich meas- ures of delight, in the sight of all the lovely and beautiful flowers and fruits which a kind Provi- dence, assisting the labors of the cultivator, has spread around us, and thus enjoys the luxuries of everj' man's garden, without the toil of the owner — a rich inheritance known to some, but not to the selfish and sensual. These may be said to be the cheapest luxuries, but they are, we fear, the most rare. An abundant supply of ripe and fresh fruits is doubtless one of the greatest luxuries which can be enjoyed, and one which in these days is usually considered very expensive, and especially so if the small and delicious fruits and berries are added to the fist and uj-ei with daily freedom. Fo luxury is more cheerfully paid for, than perishable fruit of the best (luality, by those who can aftbrd it ; and few persons can be found Mdio would not buyjif the prices are made moderate and the supply constant and in good condition. Secure these conditions, and the demand soon becomes great and steady. Among the small fruits, the Strawberry has long held the first rank as a delicious and valuable mar- ket fruit — profitable to the grower, and eagerly sought after by the consumer, at high prices; but it is found on largely increasing the supply, that time is necessary to enlarge the market, and if a sudden and large increase of supply is thrown upon the market, a part is lost, or sold at prices which do not pay the grower. But let a steadily increasing amount of fine berries be sent into the market, and kept constantly on hand, and the demand steadily increases to meet the supply, by a law of trade Avell known and understood. Let this course be con- stantly pursued, and Ave may have in Rochester a market for StraAvberries limited only by the dis- tance to Avhich they can be safely transported, and a supply for everybody, which will bring them Avithin Avhat may properly be called "cheap luxu- ries." The same course will produce the same results Avith other perishable fruits, berries, &c. Only let there be a continually increased amount planted, and proper attention paid to the selection and propagation of the best and most valuable market varieties of all these perishable as well as durable fruits, and our great natural advantages will enable us to do a profitable trade and sell at reasonable prices. Choice and delicious vegetables, melons, &c., Avill also follow the same laAVS, and be consumed in greatly increased amounts as soon as a regular sup- ]ily has established the regular demand which Avill iblloAv. There is another sense in Avhich we wish to speak of cheapening luxuries like these, and that is by improA^ed methods of cultivation and by introdu- cing better A-arieties; but cannot enter upon the subject here. There is no good reason why the luxuries of the fruit garden should not be brought to the tables of even tlie very poor. In this city and county, there is scarcely an al)le-bodied laboring man or mechanic Avho has not more or less land in his possession, either owned by himself or rented for a year. The man Avho occupies a lot of a quarter of an acre in the city, usually plants a large share of it with po- tatoes, corn, and cabbage — all of Avhich he can buy in the markets, of as good quality and in as good condition as he has them from his own lot, for a very small sum ; indeed, he does not expect to raise more than a partial supply ; but this same land, if well stocked Avith currants, gooseberries, raspber- ries and straAvberries, Avould furnish him ten times the value in fruits, delicious, Avholesome and sea- sonable, that he can gather from it in corn and po- tatoes. In fact, a skillful man — such as any one may become by devoting his spare hours to the subject — Avill sell from one-fourth of an acre, after supplying his family, more than enough to buy him a year's supply of potatoes and corn. From one- eighth of an acre, we have sold $100 Avorth of StraAvberries, at ten cents per quart. What man ever raises more than one-tenth of this value in potatoes or corn ? This was a very large crop, but the laboring man who Avill attend carefully to it can far exceed this amount and value. There is still another and a larger class of persons to Avhom the luxuries of the fruit garden are almost unknoAvn : we mean the farmers. Even the read- THE GEKESEE FARMER. 187 ers of tlie Genesee Farmer are many of them, per- haps the majority, in want of some of the cheapest luxuries in the whole world. The farmer is too remote from markets to get a daily supply of perishable fruits, except from his own garden ; there is no excuse, however, for not having an abundance from there. He has land in abundance ; time enough, too. Although he usually thinks a day spent in following his plow over an acre of laud intended for oats, well spent, if he can get in a crop from which he will realize a profit of perhaps five dollars, perhaps nothing, the same time and labor spent in procuring, planting and culti- vating delicious garden fruits would give him five times the intrinsic value, and conduce greatly to the comfort of his wife and daughters, who have hard enough work to make his daily table comfortable, and cannot possibly make it what it should be, without those delicious fruits of the season which there is no substitute for. We have little patience to labor with the former in this region, and in these days, who allows his family and himself to go with- out these cheap luxuries, while he toils himself and sous to death on his field crops. It is sheer rob- bery of the whole family, of comfort, health, and those reasonable pleasures spread by the beneficent hand of the Lord, richly to be enjoyed. There is a degree of barbarism and want of good sense upon this subject, both as applied to the fruit, the flower, and the vegetable garden, and also to the orchard, which our whole tanning commu- nity ought to be ashamed of, and which we think must vanish before the millenium can reasonably be looked for. n. e, h. WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILirRE OF SO MANY TREES SENT OUT BY NURSERYMEN] We have received a great many articles on this subject, and think our readers will be interested in the following extracts from a few of them : " That very many trees sold by the nurserymen throughout the country do fail, is a fact which is too evident to be denied. As the above question has been proposed to elicit individual opinion on the subject, we will state ours. We would say, first, that a great many trees sold are not fit to be transplanted. With a great many planters, a tall, smooth barked tree, that has made a strong growth, is preferred. I^ow to attain this object, nurserymen apply abundance of manure and plant close ; the consequence is, the trees shoot up like magic, and being close together, have few small roots and few or no side branches. Now when these trees are removed to the or- chard, in the majority of cases they have no shelter, but are exposed to every storm that blows, and fre- quently with good care tliey are unable to bear the sudden change. How small, then, is their chance, when they are carelessly removed, with their roots broken and mangled, and after being exposed to the drying influences of the air, are crowded into small holes, with the earth carelessly tlirown in about them, and then left to take care of themselves as best they can ? There are undoubtedly more trees lost by care- less planting and negligent afterculture, than by all other causes put together. The fact is, arboricul- ture forms no part of the study of many who have to plant. It would save them a vast amount of disappointment and positive loss, if they could only be persuaded to inform themselves on the subject, by procuring a good work on pomology, or sub- scribing for a good agricultural paper, which have all a horticultural department, and which are to be had for a very small outlay, and it is to be regretted that it is not oftener done. In how few cases does- a man who is spending ten or perhaps fifty dollars upon trees, spend one tenth part of even the least of these sums on reliable information on the sub- ject. But to return ; when trees are carelessly planted into a popr soil and an improper situation, and left to fight against grass and weeds which are already in possession, it is impossible that they can thrive — in fact, it is a wonder that they exist. If the spring should happen to be favorable, they may leaf out, but when the weather becomes warm and dry, the moisture soon evaporates, the ground be- comes hard, and the trees dry up, and even when they do survive, they are feeble and sickly, making but little growth ; and if they are so fortunate as to escape the cattle, and begin to bear fruit, it is of inferior quality. How many orchards are there to he seen with large gaps in the rows, fair samples of Farmer Slap- dash's orchard, which you gave in a former number of the Genesee Farmer ; and it is no wonder that we hear it often said that fruit-growing does not pay. If that is the method, it certainly will not ; but if a man will get good trees and plant them well, and take good care of them, protecting them from cattle, and cultivate the ground about them, the result will be a diflerent story altogether; in such cases fruit-growing will pay, and pay well. In fine, the great secret of success is Good CrLTUEE. B.—Flambro West, 0, IF. The question might be very readily answered by simply saying, "a want of proper care;'' but ano- ther question immediately arises, viz : " What is the want of proper care V — and therein lies the whole matter. The desire for choice fruits is very natural, and therefore very general. A., B. and 0., in a certain township, are very successful fruit culturists ; they have all the choice varieties in perfection. Their neighbors are stimulated by the example, and think that they may as well have good fi-uit as A., B. and 0. Accordingly they order varieties of good repu- tation somewhere — it may be in Maine, or it may be in Kentucky — they do not stop to consider where. They ask not a question about the adapt- echiess of certain varieties to certain soils and loca- tions. They seem to think that "a tree is a tree,'' and if placed in the ground — no matter how, and no matter when — it must needs groio, and bear an abundant harvest of fruit. Tliey have never devo- ted a moment's time to acquiring information with regard to the wants, nature and habits of fruit trees. They cannot tell why the apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry, quince and grape will not flourish equally well on the same soil and with the same location. They do not know why a hole that will, answer for a jx)^^ will not serve equally well for a tree. They evidently tldnk that the small fihrous o'oots, through which alone the tree can receive its nourishinent from tlie soil, are an unnecessary ajipendage, and in transplanting, they allow them to be broken ofi" or matted together, or wound around the large roots, 188 THE GENESEE FARMER. in jnst the condition they happen to find them. All this, and more than thift, is true of at least one half of those who purchase fruit trees from nnrserymen. And herein may be found the principal " cause of the failure of so many trees sent out by nursery- men." But the nurserymen themselves are sometimes at fault. When their business presses, they hii'e raw hands, who, if not closely watched, take up trees very much as a farmer would dig uj) a stump, or as a physician would extract a tooth While visiting an extensive nursery in Rochester, we saw a deaf " son of Erin" ordered to take up a Norway spruce. He gathered the beautiful branches in his hands, and pulled as for very life, till the proprietor or- dered him to stop. Nurserymen, as well as the " rest of mankind," should do no more than they can do well. When we consider the very general ignorance of the wants and habits of fruit trees, the wonder is, not that so many die, but that so many live ; and of the number that live, many might as well die, for they are so poorly put out, and in such unsuita- ble soil, that they wUl never flourish. "A book is a book, though there's nothing in it," — so a tree may ie a tree, though there's nothing on it ; but from all such trees, we should pray to be delivered. * f. * 1st. Many of the trees are grown on highly ma- nured ground, and consequently forced into an un- naturally rapid growth. For which cause the wood is not sufficiently ripened to withstand the severe frosts of winter, even when not removed from the nursery ; much less are they able to bear the addi- tional shock of being removed, perhaps to a new (and more severe) climate, with most of their fibrous roots cut off with the spade by careless or incompetent hands. 2nd. The manner in which the trees are pre- pared, or perhaps I ought to say not prepared, is doubtless one of the principal causes of so many failures. How often do we see farmers, and in fact all manner of planters, cutting off all the lower and better ripened branches of trees they are about to plant, thereby leaving the body of the tree unpro- tected against the sweeping winds of winter or the scorching rays of a summer's sun. Whereas, if the top and side branches had been properly shortened in, the rough winds of winter would have less pur- chase or force on them, and the sun less scorching effect in the summer. Many times, too, are the roots of the tree left just as tliey came from the nursery, bruised and torn, (necessarily, more or less,) to recover as best they may. 3rd. The improper preparation of the ground is, I apprehend, a serious cause of failure. How many trees are thrust into the ground with just enough of the soil removed to crowd the roots into the hole dug out for the same, and then the whole amount of covering trod or pounded down until it bakes so hard that neither air nor water can reach its roots ? 4th. The staking, too, should be attended to, that when the tender roots start anew, seeking to nour- ish the tree above them, they may not be broken off by the wind moving them to and fro. 5th. Very many trees are lost for the want of being properly mulclied. Too many planters, alas ! do not even know what to do when told that they should mulch their newly planted trees. Of course, they could not have been readers of the Genesee Fao'mer. Cth. Again, many trees are killed by the new and tender foliage being eaten oft' by the various insects and worms that infest them in the spring and early summer. 7th. The api^le and peach-borer should come in for a part of the blame — too often, I am sorry to say, already in the tree when it comes from the nursery. II. S. II. — RoanoTce^ Huntington, lad. Perhaps one of the greatest causes of failure is the general ignorance of the physiology and culture of plants. The careless observer of nature find;? little more to interest him, in the root, stem and leaves of a tree, than he does in a stake, and in all Iirobability Avould plant each with about the same care. But to the mind of the student of nature, how very different! Instead of seeing in a tree only one homogenous mass, he sees a living, organ- ized being, composed of solid and fluid parts, having vessels of different kinds, variously fitted to carry on the operations of imbibing nourishment, of making a chemical analysis of the same, and of ap- propriating to themselves such elements f>s are ne- cessary to promote their health and vigor. The first cause of failure, after trees are purchased for planting, is the careless manner in which that operation is usually performed, viz : planting in land sowed to grass — planting too deep — planting where water will stand about the roots — neglect of cul- ture— not protecting the trees from severe freezing, protracted drouth, mice, rabbits, &c,, &c. In short, not planting in a good, deep, finely pulverized soil, with the roots spread out in a natural manner, and no deeper than they grew in the nursery, — shorten- ing the top in proportion as the tree may have roots, — keeping the ground mellow and free from weeds, — pruning but little, cutting off" only decayed, cross- ing or straggling limbs. If the latter practice was followed as much as the former, I think we should hear fewer complaints of failure. I would suggest to planters to purchase none but good trees ; buy only of responsible men ; buy those trees only that are budded or grafted on good, free growing seedlings, that are worked just above the " collar," or surface of the ground, with scions from young and healthy trees, and cultivate as before suggested, and my word for it, there wiU not be so much complaint about failures. Jas. P. Kelly. — Middle Greek, Ky. I HAVE taken trees from nurseries and trans- planted with entire success, and think I can do it again. My rule is this : — Take them up in a damp day, (I care not whether fall or spring ;) leave on all the roots practicable, and dirt likewise; carry in a spring wagon, and avoid rubbing as much as if I were carrying new furniture. Make the soil as nearly like the parent soil as possible, and make a generous hole for the tree, but do not use much manure. I also set as soon as possible after procu- ring the trees. D. M. — Moscow, iV. Y. I THINK the chiet reasons of failure are — 1st. Carelessness in taking them up, the roots being often cut short and bruised, and the conse- quence is, they are stunted or die. 2nd. A want of proper care in packing them. The roots become dry from exposure in transporta- tion. J. Catt, — Gheviot, Ohio. THE GENESEE FARMER. 189 1 I WILL briefly state my views on tlais subject. for two reasons, it is the interest of the nursery- nen to advance the growth of their trees with all possible speed. Firstly, a thrifty tree is more at- tractive to the purchaser ; and secondly, it is sooner ready for the market. The trees continue their growth until it is arrested by the cold in the fall, aad the wood not being matured, they are not pre- pared to endure the frosts of winter equally with those of slower growth. "We have frequent demon- strations of this in the growth of long scions on fruit trees. Again : in removing trees, there are many fibrous roots which are cut off, and frequently the trees are set out on a poorer soil than that from which they were taken ; therefore the trees are not in a situa- tion to receive their former ample supply of nour- ishment. Likewise, the trees while in the nursery stand densely together, and mutually protect each other ; and the sudden transition and deficiency of sap consequent on the removal of the trees to an open field, exposes them to the powerfiU rays and withering influences of a summer's sun, as well as the more penetrating frosts of winter, and as a natural consequence, many of the trees wither and die. J. 0. Manning. — Frontier, Clinton Co., N. Y. The reasons why there are so many failures of this kind are difterent. 1st: The taking up of trees is often entrusted to hands that are not care- ful about cutting and barking the roots. 2nd : They are apt to be left too long after being taken from the nursery before they are set, so that the roots and top also get too dry. 3rd : When they are set, too much rich manure about the roots is injurious. They should have merely some good soil. Trees are often carried a great distance in wag- ons, which of course operates against them. The soil should not be packed too hard about the roots. They are frequently set in poor, thin land, after they are taken from a nursery which is highly manured, and then left to take their own course. Can any- thing but failure be exepcted in this way ? If trees are expected to thrive, they must have every atten- ti(in paid them. "When they are taken from the nursery, all the roots should be kept whole that possibly can ; they should be set as soon as possible after they are taken up, the same depth they were in the nursery, not manured too much until tliey are rooted fast, and they will generally do well. — J. H. P. ^.—Queens Co., N. Y. The Rural Anntjal. — The Rural Annual is a valuable work, and should be in the possession of every agriculturist. The one article which it con- tains on the cultivation of the grape, by Mr. Saltee, ctf Rochester, is worth half a dozen numbers. It is the clearest and best written article I have ever seen on the subject. I have given much personal atten- tion and labor to the summer pruning of our vines, keeping back the lateral branches, and the large clusters on our young vines told with what success. Yet I am satisfied with much greater success, had our vines been trained according to the directions in the above named article. I would say to any one who wishes to train a grape vine in the right way, be sure and get the Eural Annual for 1858, II. H. Myees. — Liverpool, N. Y. THE CULTIVATION OF TOMATOES. "When the weather gets warm, and the soil in good condition, transplant the young plants to the garden. The best way is to set them in rows three feet apart, and two feet apart in the rows ; having dug a trench the length of the row, fill it with fine manure mixed with soil ; set the plants with care, on a cloudy day, or secure them from the sun; water frequently in dry weather, and with liquid manure if possible. Cultivate well. Keep clear of weeds. Stir the soil around the plants often. "When they get their growth, and begin to form fruit, all superfluous branches should be cut oft", to allow the sun to shine on the fruit. If the vines require support, and they most likely will, a convenient way is to drive crotched sticks at convenient distances, upon which lay small poles, then carefuUy place the vines upon them ; place the supports so as to turn the rows from each other ; this gives room for going among the vines, and allows the sun to shine upon them better. The fruit must be picked or covered from frost, as it injures it. If not fuUy ripe when picked, they may be ripened in the house. E. B. — Fharsalia, iV. Y. In the spring, select a warm, sheltered spot, at the south side of a house or board fence, and as soon as the heavy frosts are over, dig a trench the size you want your bed, to the depth of a foot, and fill in with warm horse manure, pressing it close, to the level of the ground ; then put on about two inches of fine garden loam, sow tlae seed, and rake it in. The warmth of the manure in the bed Avill prevent them from being injured by a light frost, and will bring them on rapidly. Last season I had ripe tomatoes, on plants raised in that way, before the plants raised in the hot-bed ; and I did not have to water them at all, while the hot-bed plants had to be watered regularly, and some died at that. As soon as they are ready to plant out, have a piece of land rich, or made so — soft or medium liard does not matter — and set them three feet apart each way. For a small piece in a garden, it makes a very pretty show, and the tomatoes will be about a week earlier, to have them trained on a trellis ; but where they are to be cultivated on a large scale, it will not pay. I have tried it both ways, and I find that if kept clean, and hoed up in fine round hills, as soon as the fruit gets heavy they will fiiU down all round the hill ; and I have had just as many and as fine tomatoes as on the vines that I had been at the greatest trouble with. R. S. T.—Magara, C. W. Set the plants in rows four feet apart, running north and south, so that the sun has a fair chance to ripen them, and three feet apart in the rows. As they groAV, place a post at each end of the row, through which draw wires, eighteen inches from the ground first, then eiglft inches apart — the posts five feet high. Cut off" all lateral shoots, a short distance above the first leaves, so as to prevent its injuring the main stalk as it dies. Train them in fan shape, and at the height of five feet cut off" the tops. Tie the branches to the post and wire with basswood bark; as the tomatoes begin to ripen, puU off" the leaves near tlie fruit. For early ripen- ing, a piece of poor ground is the best, though such large tomatoes cannot be expected. Adeiune H. Satee, — Earrisburg, Ind. 190 ;the gekesee farmer. CULTIVATION OF THE PEACH. Editors Genesee Faemer: — There is no grain crop that is more sensitive of good ti-eatment than the peach crop. In travehng over the country, vi-Q see many orchards tliat are planted out and then left to chance — that is, the owners mean to culti- vate them, but they want to do it when all the rest of the work is done ; and it fre(iuently happens that they do not trim them at all, nor plow them, until winter. Is it any wonder that raising peaches, with such men, is humhug ? 'N'ow I shall not try to give any particular mode of cultivation that will hold good on all kinds of soils, for my observations lead me to believe that on different soils different treatment is required, and some kinds of peaches will do better on some soils, than others; but nothing else will teach a person tins but experience. It answers best for cultivators in this part to manure their trees heavily, particularly after they commence bearing. If your numerous readers could but come into our orchard, I think I could convince them that it is difficult to put too much manure on peach trees here. Whore we had large heaps of barn-yard manure in our or- chard, the trees have outgrown the rest, and pro- duced by fiir the finest fruit ; (I might here say that the apple trees that were near the manure heaps have not grown near as well as the others ;) but I have seen orcliards only a few miles distant, that manure seemed to do hurt instead of good. So I am certain that no definite mode can be given that will hold good on all soils. Here let me say one word about trees. Buy only of good and experienced nurserymen, or men that have had considerable knowledge in the peach business. Now, in proof of this, let me relate a little circumstance that came under my notice this la-st summer. While walking through a gentleman's orchard, about eight days before the earliest peaches should have been ripe, I noticed an Old Mixon peach tree from which a large portion of the top had been cut otf, and in taking more particular no- tice I found a very fine peach, which I took off and showed to the gentleman. He said he thought they -were the finest peaches he ever saw, and they were cutting the top all off to innoculate with. I told him that the peach ought not to ripen yet for three weeks, and in another year or two at most the tree would be dead, which seemed to take him by sur- prise. It is certainly reasonable to suppose that diseased buds will give diseased trees, and that gen- tleman will find it so to his sorrow. Now all sjood nurserymen are very careful to select buds from the most healtliy trees that they can find, and it takes a person of considerable knowledge to be able to judge rightly. In my next, I wiU tell you our mode of cultiva- tion. J. L. B. Pennington, N. J. Pegging Down Plants.— Wliere it is not con- venient to get pegs, take pieces of bast about eiglit inches long, and put them round the shoots where It 13 wished to fasten them to the ground; then place the two ends together, and press them into the ground with a little dipper made flat at the point. When the ground is damp, is the best time lor pertorming the operation. SHELTER FOR ORCHARDS. Editors Genesee Farmer: — On reading the extract from D. Edwards' letter, in the April number of the Farmer^ where he says few have died, (apple trees,) "even on the icest side of hiU3|fo and greatly exposed to xcesterhj winds,'''' I am minded of " Cyder PniLUPS " directions, (in that most finished poem of his, "Cyder,") where he says — "Who'er expects his laboring trees should bend With fruitage, and a kindly harvest yield, Be this his first concern ; to find a tract Impervious to the winds, begiit with hills. That intercept the Hyperborean blasts Tempestuous, and cold Eiirus' nipping force, Noxious to feeble buds : but to the west Let Mm free entrance, grant; let zephyrs bland Administer their tepid genial airs ; Naiujht fear he. from the west, whose gentle warmth Disciijses well the earth's all-teeming womb, Invigorating tender seeds." Let all who love '■'■ orcliarts'''' buy and read Cyd&r Phillips, the most complete poem on the subject, of its time, and the most learned. There he gives a complete description of the fruits of his time, their mode of culture, grafting, and probably all that was then known of the different fruits from which "cyder" or wine, and other potables, were then made. " On our account has Jove Indulgent, to all moons some succulent plant Allotted, that poor, helpless m.-in might slake His present thirst, and matter find for toil ; — Now will the Corinths, now the Hasps supply Delicious draughts; the Quinces now, or Plums, Or Cherries, or the fair Thisbeian fruit. Are prest for wines; the Britons squeeze the works Of sedulous bees," &c. But I must close for fear of tiring you, and will only say, read '■'■Cyder Phillips.'''' Hochester, Ind. CHARLES BEACIvETT. J PRUNING AND CULTIVATINiG APPLE ORCHARDS. Eds. Genesee Farmer: — The more I observe of orchard culture, the more am I impressed with the truth that men prune too much, trim too hiffh, and plant too deep. An orchard was planted ten years ago. Two trees were never pruned or trimmed; the rest were, after the most approved English style. They made a good growth, are headed about five feet from the ground, and bear as orchards usually do in the best of Indiana soils — and that is as well, or a little better than in any other western — no, any other State, east or west. The two trees branching from the surface are in circumference four times as large as those headed five feet from the surface, and have branches as large as the trunJcs of the other trees, and bear proportionate crops of fruit. The plow should never go in an orchard after the first five years of its age. Plow an orchard re- peatedly, which has a poor or icet sulsoil, after it is ten or twelve years old, and you will certainly kill it. Possibly, with a good, rich, dry subsoil, it may live on after a fashion, yet it will be an unprofit- able orchard. If the subsoil is poor or wet, and the trees are properly planted, and the surfiice roots not cut with the plow, it will do a pretty good business, getting from the surface soil all that is necessary for wood and fruit. Rochester, Ind. CIIAPvLES BKACKETT. THE GENESEE FARMER. 191 TOBACCO AND THE PLUM CTJKCTJLIO. Messrs. Editors: — Being at the liouse of a i friend, in June last, I was surprised at seeing his 'I phim trees nearly breaking doAvn with fruit. He - informed me that his remedy was, to take an old tin basin, make a few holes around the sides, near the bottom, and have the basin secured to the end of a pole long enough to pass the dish through all parts of the tree. He then takes some fire and a small quantity of any old refuse tobacco, and puts in the dish ; this smoking, he takes the time early in the morning, while the dew is on, and passes the smoking dish through all parts of the trees. It should be commenced on tlie first formation of the fruit, and continued sis or eight weeks — the oftener it is done, the more sure you will be of saving all your plums: he only smoked his trees twice a week. He says the first few times he could see the insects leaving in a swarm, and soon there were but few to be seen. He says that by smoking while the dew is on, the smell of tobacco will be longer re- tained in the trees, and that for his eight or ten large trees it would take him about an hour each time, and his expense for tobacco was three York shillings. To prove that the insects did not like the fumes of tobacco, his neighbors, only a few rods distant, and who would not take so much trouble, were rewarded by not saving a plum. It would have done you and yoiir many thousands of subscribers good, to have seen these trees, loaded with the delicious fruit, and to know that with a little trouble, and a very little expense, this excel- lent fruit may be preserved. E. Fort Ryerse, C. W. WniE FOR GRAPE TRELLISES. Editors Genesee Farmer : — Your correspondent Henry Lampman makes the following inquiry in the March number: "Will you inform me whether common No. 8 or 9 wire, or galvanized, is best for vineyard trellises, and what would be the cost of the wire, and how much would it take per acre, the rows being 12 feet apart, and the vines 12 feet apart in the row ? " Galvanized wire is much the best for trellises, but, as it costs just twice as much as common wire, it is very seldom used. No. 11 annealed wire is in common use for trel- lises, when the posts are not more than 12 feet apart. Nos. 8 and 9 are larger than necessary. The annealed wire must be boiled in linseed oil, or painted with gas tar in which a very little lime has been slaked, to keep it from rusting. The amount of wire will depend upon the height of the trellis. If it is six feet high, (the usual height when grapes are grown for table use,) it will require four courses of wire. No. 11 annealed wire is generally estimated at 200 lbs. per mile. "With this information, your correspondent can easily determine the amount of wire he needs. The cost will depend upon the market where he purchases. It can now be bought in New York city for six cents per lb. Or, if your correspond- ent should prefer, he can purcliase in Wheeling, Va., bridge wire of the right size already coated with gas tar, E. f. ensign. Madison, Ohio, April, 1S5S. TO DESTROY THE CURCTILIO. Plow your plum orchard the last of November or first of December, before a freeze ; cross-plow and harrow thorougldy in March, or before the freezing is over. If not convenient to plow, throw up the ground with a spade, and pulverise well ; if not hkely to freeze in a short time, sprinkle lime profusely under the trees. Apple, peach and cherry orchards should be dealt with in a similar manner, only once plowing will suffice. When the curculio is very bad, they work on all these kinds of fruit. A portion of them wall fly a considerable distance. The advantages of this plan over outward appli- cations are, that it destroys the curculio in his winter quarters, and pays more than four times the cost of labor by improving the trees and fruit, be- sides destroymg many other kinds of insects that bite and sting apples and peaches. The fruit is not so liable to get killed with the late frosts, as the ploAved ground is a conductor of cold, drawing the frost down below the trees. I have seen plowed ground under trees frozen hard, and not a particle of frost on the trees. john johnson. Cultivate the Soil arotind Fruit Trees. — In the year 1854, the year of the great drouth here, I had some apple trees standing in a piece of clover, and some in a part of the garden ; those in the clo- ver were worked around once or twice in the early part of the season, and those in the garden were cultivated all the summer. The trees that stood in the clover were so injured by drouth that I had to mulch them, and water them twice a week, and could hardly save them ; while those that were kept clean, and the surface stirred through the season, grew luxuriantly, and appeared to be affected but little by the drouth. These trees had been planted several years. I had a few trees standing in the nursery, two years old from the graft, kept well cultivated through the summer ; they grew seven feet high, and were the admiration of all who saw them. So much for keeping the laud well plowed, and the surface continually stirred and kept fight, during a drouth. A. G. Mullins, Chesher's Store, Ky. Large Purple Egg Plant. — A correspondent at Montgomery, Ind., (G. W. Gardner.) thus writes : " I must tell you of an egg plant, of the Bound Purple kind, which I raised. It measured 29i inches round from blossom to stem, and 25f inches in circumference, and weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. If any of your readers have seen anything that can beat this, I should like to hear from them. The bed in which it grew was prepared thus: It was first dug deeply, and made perfectly mellow. Holes were then dug, in each of which was put about half a pint of well-rotted manure, then nearly filled with earth, and the plants set in them, after which they were kept well hoed." Pruning Peach Trees. — xi lady who dearly loves good peaches, would like an accurate description of the best manner of pruning young peach trees. Should the oftshoots all be cut ofll" from the main branches? How many branches sliould be left? Should the ends of the branches be cut off, and how much? H. H. M. — Liverpool, N. T. 192 THE GENESEE FARMER THE TKUFFLE. THE TUUFFLE. Of all edible fungi, tlie Teuffle, iu the higher departments of cookery, is most highly prized. The common variety, {Txiber eibarium,) of which we annes an engraving, is found growing un- der ground in the southern part of England, and is obtained from the trufflle-hunters, who train dogs to scent them out. It is of very irregular form, inclin- ing to globular, without root or stem. It has never been grown artificially in England, with much suc- cess, though many attempts have been made, and a number of treatises written on the subject. Some of the continental gardeners, especially in Prussia, have been more successful. Its culture is some- what similar to that of the mushroom. "We do not know that it has ever been cultivated in this country. The following statement has recently been going the rounds of the papers. It is a matter in which all who have ever tasted truffles will feel interested. "We fear it is "too good to be true." "It is tliought that a discovery has at last been made, which, if it really turns out what is sup- posed, may be the cause of a trade of absolutely unlimited extension being opened to France. A man of the name of Rosseau, in the department of Vaucluse, would appear to have found out the means for the propagation of truffles, a secret which has hitherto escaped all the researches of science. This man has been following out his plan, as the departmental journals say, for the last seven years, and his first essay has been entirely crowned with success. His notion has been, that the precious excrescence was dependent upon a peculiar kind of oak, which he calls the truffle oak (chene trnffler,) and he has accordingly made plantations of 'such. A few days back a certain number of persons were iavited to witness the first bunt, and two pigs were turned into an oak plantation of five years stand- ing. The experiment succeeded so entirely that iu a few hours, and on a plantation of not more than thi-ee hectares, twenty-two pounds of very" fine truffles were turned up, and Mr. Rosseau says a similar hunt may take place every twenty days during four months of the year. To Desteot Caterpillars on Frxjit Trees. — The best method that I have ever seen used, is to make a strong whitewash out of fresh-burned lime, and apply to the nest with a brush or swab ; and if it is^ applied to the whole tree it will do no harm. A Young Farmer. — Vernon^ Lid. Allow me to urge your readers to send you 25 cents and get the Pamd Anmial for 1858. the ar- ticle on " Profitable Fruit Culture," is alone worth more than the price of the book, Jas. Henseaw. OEIGINAL DOMESTIC RECEIPTS. [Written for the Genesee Farmer by various Correspondent ^ Stewed CnicKEx. — Prepare and cut up the fow] in proper pieces for the table ; put into the stew-pj or kettle, with plenty of salt and pepper to seasoi add what butter you wish, and a small quantity , saleratus (not enough to discolor) to assist in makii| it tender, and prevent its rising on the stomacl add only water enough to cook'it, cover close, ai stew moderately. Turn occasionally, that it mj cook and season evenly; when nearly done, remo' tlie cover, that the water may mostly evaporat If you choose, dredge and boil in some flour. Tui on some sweet cream, boil up and serve. Squirre are good cooked like the above, omiting the creai Brown Gravy for Roast 'Eo^\ l. — Chop ti heart, liver and lights of the fowl; put into tl spider with butter, pepper, salt, and a little wate "When boiling well, add some sweet cream and bo Stir it, or it wiU burn. Raised Biscuit. — Heat three cups of sweet mil with one of butter ; work it warm into the flou with a tea-spoon of saleratus. Have ready son yeast or light sponge, the same as for bread ; woi this in when the mixture is milk warm ; mix it well but not stilF, and set in a warm place to rise, "Whe! light, mould into cakes, let them set awhile, (fiiil minutes or so,) prick the tops of each ; bake in quick oven. These are similar to those made froi bread dough. Cold biscuit can be warmed to tast like new, by turning cold water upon them to wei the crusts, then warm through, in a moderate over Soda Biscuit.— One quart bowl of flour, one tea spoon of soda, two of cream tartar, salt, sour mSL and sour cream to mix ; bake quick. Lemon Pie. — One grated lemon, one beaten eg^ one tea-cup of sugar, one and a half tea-cups c sweet milk, three tea-spoons of flour. Must not ad( the lemon till just as you set it in the oven, Bab with two crusts. Mix and bake as common custan pie. Another. — Beat the yolks of four eggs, add th( grated rind and juice of one lemon, and five table spoons sugar; bake with an under crust, Wher done, add the whites of the eggs, beaten to a froth with five tal)le-spoons of white sugar; bake agair a few minutes. Try it. Extra Cup Cake. — Mix as written. One cup butter stirred to a cream, two cups sugar, the yolks of four eggs, tea-spoon of essence lemon or sweet almond ; one tea-spoon of soda dissolved in a little hot water put to one cup sweet milk ; then three cups of flour, the whites of four eggs beaten to a froth ; lastly, two cups of flour with two tea-spoons of cream tartar, well infused; one cup wine, if you like. Baeed CmcKEN. — Dress the chicken, tlien make a dressing with which to fill it, of light bread crum- bled fine, a lump of butter the size of a hen's egg, some pepper and salt : moisten with water. Place the fowl in a pan, with a pint and a half of water, sprinkle a little salt over it, and bake half an hour. THE GENESEE FARMER. 193 To Peeserve Eggs. — Put one hundred dozen into I barrel carefully ; take a vessel that will hold six aails of water, put in a half peck of unslacked lime, ind slack it as j'ou would for whitewash ; while iiot, put in three quarts rock salt ; till up the barrel (vith cold water, stir it up well, and pour over the ggs ; keep them in a cool cellar. To Cook Stukgeox. — Take three or four pounds jf fish, put into cold water over the fire, and let it 3oil ten minutes ; repeat this process three times ; hen place it in a pan witli a little butter spread )ver it, and bake three-fourths of an hour; while lot, pour over a tea-cup of sweet cream ; as soon as t boils, serve. If the fish is fresh, some salt must )e added while parboiling. To Oo^K Codfish. — Take a piece of fish two nclies square, and let it freshen five minutes in boil- ng water; pour otT the water and shred the fish ine ; then add one quart milk, two spoons cream. ^Vhen io boils, add a spoonful of flour for thicken- ng, and a little butter and pepper. Blanc-itange. — One quart wate , one ounce isin- jlass, and let i^ boil till it is reduced to a pint ; then idd whites of four eggs, two spoons ricewfter, and weeten to taste; add two ounces sweet and ore of )itter almonds, and scald ; then strain. Greeit Apple Pie. — Stew and strain the apples, rate the peel of a fresh lemon, or rose water and ugar, to your taste. Bake in a rich paste half an lOur. Boiled Wheat. — Pick over and wash a pint of vhite wheat, boil it four hours, put in salt the same 13 for rice ; re-fill with boiling water, if more is leeded ; stir often the last half hour, being careful lot to let it burn ; cook it dry. Sometimes it looks starchy when first dished, but that soon disappears, serve hot or cold, with sweetened sweet cream. This Ave think an excellent dessert, and very fine for nvalids. Another very rich dish, for dessert, can be made )f a pint of wheat, cooked lilve the above, then boil n a quart of sweet milk, one cup of sugar, one cup )f raisins, currants, or any fruit, (raisins are prefer- ible,_) two beaten eggs ; cook slowlj^, and stir until t boils ; serve cold or hot, without s'auce. Or, after he wheat is washed, soak it in warm water over light, keep it wet till time for use, then simmer the vater all out of it ; then add the milk and other ngredients, and cook as above. Lemox Cake.— One tea-cup of butter, three tea- ;ups of white sugar, beat them to a cream ; then idd the yolks of five eggs, well beaten ; dissolve a ;ea- spoonful of saleratus in a cup of sweet milk, and idd one grated lemon, four tea-cups of flour, and ;he whites of the eggs beaten to a froth. Baked Rice Puddixg. — Flavor and sweeten to ;aste, two^ quarts of milk, one tea-cup of rice, one ;ea-cup of raisins, two well beaten eggs, a table- spoon of butter, and a little salt. Bake two hours. Quick Ginger Beer. — To a pail of water, add ;wo ounces of ginger, one pint of molasses, and a jiU of good yeast. In two hours it is fit for use. Lemon Beer. — To a gallon of Avater, add a sliced emon, a spoonful of ginger, a half pint of yeast, and sugar enough to make it quite sweet. Puff Pudding. — One quart of milk, six eggs., seven table-spoonsful of flour, half a tea-spoon ot saleratus, a salt-spoon of salt. Bake twenty min- utes; serve soon as baked, with maple syrup, or butter and sugar. Drying Raspberries. — Spread the berries on earthen plates, place them on a hot oven until they are scalded ; them turn them on drying boards, or hurdles, and dry in the sun. Drying Blackberries. — Place them in a hot oven, until they are thoroughly heated. Lay news- papers on your drying scaflb'ld, spread the berries thinly on it, and dry thoroughly. Currant Apple-Sauce. — Take the strained juice of ripe currants and boil it till it has evaporated one- third ; skim from it all sediment that may rise to the top while heating ; Avhen reduced to the proper quantity, cool and set it away in proper vessels in a cool place. It is then ready for use, and will keep any length of time without fermenting. To three quarts of juice add one quart of water; take sweet apples, either dried or green, and cook the same as with boiled cider; sweeten to taste. It is pro- nounced by good judges to be fully equal if not su- perior to the best boiled cider apple-sauce. LADIES, WHITE FOR THE GENESEE FAEMER. Messrs. Editors : — I have often felt like express- ing my gratitude to the editors of the Farmer^ and also to its numerous able contributors, on account of the [jleasure its perusal has aflbrded myself as well as husband. It contains so much that is prac- tical and interesting, that it cannot fail to be of vast importance, especially to those who are tilling a spot of ground. This Is the very thing we want — some practical hints exchanged, and the experience of others to guide us. We Avant to knoAv hoAV to make good productive gardens and orchards, that our cui)boards may be full, and our hearts merry for our abundance. We want your advice, hoAv to make a nice yard, there to rear some creeping vines and fragrant flowers ; their presence seems to breathe of contentment and happiness. There are a thousand things we Avaut to Icnow. For instance, we Avant to hear some practical hints on house- keeping ; for we verily believe it to be a science^ one too that requu-es much skill and judgment. I hope more ladies will contribute to the pages of the Genesee Farmer^ than formerly. An exchange of sentiment and practical knowledge might open the eyes of many a housekeeper, who is oppressed with labor, all perhaps because she does not know some important things that would, if practised, en- able her to perform her duties Avitli ease and pleas- ure. Come, sister housekeepers, let us hear from you. As for myself, I am a young hand at the business, but would like to become thorough and good. charlotte. Chetter County, Pa., 1S5S. "What are the Proper Duties of a Farmer's Wife?" — I Avould answer in the Avords of the wise man — Prov. xxxi: 27 — "She looketh Avell to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." It Avould be useless to add more. N. CoNEXiN. — Clarence, jSf. T. TITE GEiTESEE FARMER. New Advertisements this Month. i; The New American Cyclopaxlia — D. Appleton & Co., New York. y Nurserymen, Florists, and Agriculturists — Paul Bossange, New York. Yeomaus Fruit Bottle — T. G, Yeomans, Walworth, Wayne Co., N. Y. Wooden Water Pipe— I. S. Ilobbie & Co., Eochester, N. Y. Eoehester Agricultural Works — A. Gordon & Co., Eochester, N. Y. Lehigh Mountain Springs Water Cure— A. Smith, M. D., Beth- lehem, Pa. Burrall's New Adjustable Reaper and Mower— Thos. D. Bur- rail, Geneva, Ontario Co., N. Y. Eemoval of the Horticulturist— C. M. Saxton, New York. Corn-Husking Machine— J. Perkins & Co., West Killingly, Cl- Morgan Horse Zachary Taylor — Daniel D. McVean, York^ Livingston Co., N. Y. Eeal Estate for Sale— Edgar F. Peck, M. D. Brooklyn, N. Y. New England Settlement— S. B. Coughlin, Philadelphia, P.i. Chester White Pigs for Sale— H. T. Wollard, Castine, Darke Co., Ohio. To OUR Agents and Friends Everywhere. — As there are thousands of farmers who have discontinued the high priced papers on account of hard times, and who are not now taking any agricultural journal, we have concluded to take half-year subscriptions to the Genesee Farmer, and we trust our friends will make an effort to send us in a few thousand additional subscribers. We will send the Farmer from July to December, inclusive, to single sub- scribers, for 25 cents ; five copies for $1,00, with a Rural Annual to the getter up of the club ; and eight copies for $1.50, with a Rural Annual to the person getting up the club. All subscriptions must end with the year. We can supply the back numbers if desired. " Read the Advertisements." — We would call particu- lar attention to the advertisement of Yeomans' Glass Bot- tle for preserving fruit. We can confidently recommend it. Mr. Yeomans has had much experience in preserving fruit, and will furnish our readers full information on application to him by letter at Walworth, N. Y. Of Pitts Thrashing Machine, it is unnecessary to speak. It is universally conceded to be the best machine of the kind in the world, and is manufactured by A. Gordon & Co., of this city, in the best manner, and with the latest improvements. The Horse-Hoe, also manufactured by A. G. & Co., we can recommend as a very superior imple- ment. It has been thoroughly tested throughout Western New York, and gives great satisfaction. Seymour & Morgan's Self Raking Reaper and Mower Combined is all that is claimed for it, and Manny's Machine with Wood's Improvement, is so well and uni- versally known that commendation is unnecessary. The second volume of AppletorUs New American Ci/clo- poidia fully maintains the high character of the, work. See advertisement in this number. Two valuable Grasses. — Wm. Ruble, of Eola, Pol! county, Oregon Territory, wishes to call attention to tw valuable varieties of grass which he found, on his over land route to Oregon, " near the base of the Rocky Moun tain.s, at an elevation of 4,500 feet above the level of th sea, in latitute 89 deg. 30 min. north, and longitude 2f deg. So min. west, from Washington. The first resemble timothy, but heads out like blue grass. When I found it on the 8th of June, it was two and a half feet high, of flni promising quality, very nutritious, and stock exceedingly fond of it. It is a little inclined to bunch, and standini plenty thick to turn off a heavy swarth. The other resem bles it in appearance, is of the same height, but mucl later." Mr. R. adds : " When we take into consideratioi its elevation, and the backwardness of the spring at tha point, (it was frosting frequently on the road m that vicin ity as we passed, and I observed the day before that tb strawberries were just in bloom,) it bids fair to becom the best early grass known ; and I feel it a duty to poin out its existence, that persons passing that way lat enough in the season may procure seed. It stands oi Cherry Creek, about 12 miles from its mouth, and 1 miles from its head, on the so-called Evans' route." The Summer Exhibition of the Genesee Valley Horticul tural Society will be held in this city, June 24. The pi'os pects of the Society were never so flattering as at presen< and we hope that the horticulturists and fruit growers ii this and the adjoining counties will not only attend th exhibition, but enroll their names as permanent member of the Society, and become contributors. It is to be re gretted that these magnificent shows, which are unequalet in the United States, and are worth traveling a thousam miles to see, attract so little notice from farmers and frui growers in the immediate vicinity. Copies of the Constitution, By-Laws, and Premium Lists, can be obtained on application to the Secretary, C. W. Seelye, Rochester, N. Y. Sanford Howard, editor of the Boston CuUivedor, sails for Europe on the 2d of this month. He goes mainly foi the purpose of purchasing stock for the Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture. No better man could have been selected. If any of our readers are desir- ous of importing any cattle, sheep, pigs, etc., Mr. Howard will execute their orders. We shall be disappointed if Mr. H. does not give us some of the most useful articles on English Agriculture that have yet appeared in this country. — ■ — ■ »»» Many excellent communications already in type, are necessarily left out till next month. The press upon our columns was never so great as at this time. We are under great obligations to our numerous correspondents for their repeated favors. We fully appreciate the value of their assistance. Ihe Genesee Farmer is iha "farmers own paper. " By communicating their experience so freely for its columns, they have made it the most 2}e>pul emd the most extensively circulated agricultural monthly in the u'orld. « >< The Atlantic Monthly grows better and better everj month. The " Autocrat of the Breakfost Table, or every man his own Boswell," is worth the price of the work. Published by Phillips, Sampson & Co., Boston, M Price, $3. A new volume commences this month. THE GENESEE FARMER. 195 Blackwood's Magazine. — We cannnot speak too highly of this old and sterling monthly.. Of all periodicals, British or American, there is none that we read with so much 'pleasure as BlacJcwood. It is reprinted by L. Scott & Co., 54 Gold street Jfew York, and is sent to any address, postage paid, for $3 per annum. The price in England is "7.50. L. Scott & Co., also republish the four British quarterly Rey'iQvis — Edinhurg, London, Nortli British, and Westminster. Price, %Z each. The four Quarterlies and Blaclwood are sent to one address for $10. • ►♦,. Exhibition of Seed Wheat. — A Canadian correspond- ent asks, " Would it not be wise to hold shows in every wheat-growing county in the United States and Canada, for the express purpose of showing seed wheat ? " Doubt- ess such exhibitions would do much good ; but why have them confined to wheat? Why are not our regular Coun- ty Fairs quite as good, providing suiBcient inducement is offered to exhibitors ? The Horticulturist has passed into the hands of C. M. Baxto.v, (25 Park Row, New York,) so well known as the Pioneer agricultural and horticultural book publisher. The readers of this popular horticultural journal may con- ideutly expect great improvements in the work. Price, per annum ; with colored plates, $5. Chip Maxcre. — A correspondent says he puts chip manure under the currant bushes. It is not only, when ■otted, an excellent fertilizer, for currants, gooseberries, ;tc., but it serves the purpose of a mulch, and also keeps he currants from the ground and from getting dirty. »«♦ Agriculture of Massachusetts.— We are indebted to :;. L. Flint, Esq., the able Secretary of the Massachusetts 3oard of Agriculture, for his Report for 1S57. As usual it ibounds in useful and interesting matter. The Spring Meeting of the Fruit Growers Society of iVestern New York will be held in this city, June SO. ^r further information address the Secretary, C. P. Bis- ell, Rochester, N. Y. It is now proposed to have the " Convention of Agri- iultural Editors" hold their meeting in New York during he session of the American Pomological Society, Sep- ember 14. Prize Essays. — Our correspondents will recollect that issays on the subjects named in the April number must be ;ent in on or before the first of June. Inquiries and Answers. Flax Seed for Calves. —Will Mr. Avert oblige the •eaders of the Genesee Farme)' by informing them whether 16 gave his calves a half-pint of flax seed each for two lays, or a half-pint to the eight? I see nothing why Mr. \.veuy's method might not be a good one. I think your In- liana correspondent has never raised many calves, as it is "ery seldom that a flock of calves of from five to ten come o the barn free from lice without regard to flesh. J. 0. 3awes. — Le Baysville, Bradford Co., Pa. Care of Cows after Calving. — Please inform me,' hrough the G-enesee Farmer, what remedies to use when ;ows get wet, or drink cold water, soon after calving. I lave lost a valuable cow this spring, as I suppose, from kccidentally getting caught in a thunder shower, the next iay after calving, and no disease was known, and no .races of any could be found, Emory P. Barnes.— i\w^A Fmnalia, JV. Z.J Ashes for Corn. — I have a field seeded in rve to har- vest this year and want to plant it in corn ne.xt spring. I wish to cover it with ashes sometime between harvest and planting time. When is the best time and way of applymg them — immediatelv after harvest, next fall, or next sprmg before planting, before or after the ground is broken up ? I have a ditch trom six to ten feet deep, in averj- sandv, washy hill, that I wish to wall or trunk to prevent caving. V, hat (in the absence of stone and where timber is pientv) is the best and cheapest mode of doino; it ? Any information upon the above subjects, from you or any of your correspondents, would be very thankfully received by a young farmer who lives remote from, and consequently deprived of, many of the advantages of in- formation upon agricultural improvements. f*lease let me hear from you soon. J. R. Dill.— Fasterii Shore, Md. Manure Pond.— Can some of your many correspondents inform me, through the columns of the Genesee Farmer, the best plan to fix a pond in a barn-yard to make manure in ? Ought it to have a floom or outlet, or, like a lake, to run out when full ? All the particulars, and the best plan and way to make manure, would be thankfully received by one of your subscribers. A. Tiffany. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Farmer, must be received as early as the 10th of the previous month, and be of such a character as to be of interest to farmers. Terms — Two Dollars for every hun- dred words, each insertion, paid in advance. HEREFORD CATTLE. A LOT of thorough-bred Ilereford-Cattle for sale. April, 185S.— St. Eipley, Chautaiique Co., K. T LEHIGH MOUNTAIN SPRINGS WATER CITRE. ALL diseases are cureable with Water, Air, and Diet at *hi3 celebrated Instimtidn. Beautiful scenery, pleasant drifes walks, and rowing connected with the Cure. Address ^' ,„,„ A. SMITH. M.'d. June,lS58— It* Bethlehem. Pa. CHESTER WHITE PIGS FOR SALE. I SHALL be prepared, the comina; season, to furnish nicrs „ot akin, and suitably paired, bred from premium and olher'^tock Also, I tender thauks to my friends in Ohio and other Slates for the liberal patronage I have received the past three years A.'dre'^e -.o.o „ II- T. WOLLARD, June, 1858.— Ot Castine, Darke Co., Ohio. NURSERYMEN, FLORISTS, AND AGRICULTURISTS, PAUL BOSSANGE, Agent for LOUIS LEROT, of the Grind Jardin, Angers, France, begs to announce that he is now fully prepared to execute all orders for Fruit, Fcjrest, and Orna- mental Trees, Shrubs, Flowers, &c. Catalogues of the prices current, embracin-j shippin'^ and m- suranee charges, and all other needful information, may be had (gratis) on ajiplication to PAUL BOSSANGE, June, ISoS. — it. 20 Beekman street. New York. KEDZIE'S WATER FILTER. THE SUBSCRIBERS give notice, thev have made arr.-^n^e- ments with Mr. Kedzie, thePatenteeof this justly celebrattd Filter, to manufacture under his own supervision, and sell .-t former retail prices, and discount to dealers, as when made bv J. E. Cheney & Co. ' For circulars or Filters, address only ,„,„,„ „ JAMES TERRY & CO.. 59 and 61 State-st., Rochester, N. ¥.; the old stand of J E Cheney & Co. May, 1858.— 2t BURRALL'S NEW ADJUSTABLE MOWER & REAPER IS UNEQUALLED in compactness, strensth. and effective power— it is single (/eared, the draft Ugld, the cijt perfect guards strong, and easili/ taken off for '(/rinding. It diseharces the grain in the rear, or at the side; is thrown out of gear wW^ in motion, runs on a large caster wheel in front, and has no hear^ ing on the horses. It has, in short, all the best points of the lest machin£S, in the simplest form, and above all, one recent im- provement found in no other, l)y which the drwer can rai'^e the finger bar to Us full height, (for carrying a swath or travel on rough ground.) by a touch of his hand, wilhout leaving his se-it or stopping his team. Nothing can surpass this heauiiful mave- mmt, nor can its value be fully appreciated till seen in operation Made and sold (warranted) at Geneva, Ontario Co N T June, 1858.— It THOMAS D. BDEKALL. 196 TEE GENESEE FARMER. THE NEW AMEKICAN CTCLOP^IDIA. AND THE WAYS AND MEANS OF BUYING- IT. THE KEW AMEEICxVN CYCLOPEDIA is popular witliout beino- superficial, learned but not pedantic, comprehensive but sufficiently detailed, free from personal pique and party pre- judice, fresh and yet accurate. It is a complete statement of all that is known upon every important topic within the scope of human intelligence. Every article in it has been specially written for its pages by men who are world-renowned upon tlie topics of which they spealv. They arc required to bring the subject up to the present moment; to state just how it stands nmc. All the statistical information is from the latest reports : the geographical accounts keep pace with the latest explorations ; historical mat- ters include tlie freshest just views; the biographical notices not only speak of the dead, but also of the living, and ol the living up to within the last half year. And the work is c/mq): three dollars a volume ; and each vol- ume contains more— we have carefully computed the contents o both— more than the whole six volumes of Bancroft's history, which are sold at two dollars a volume, making in all twelve dol- lars. Everv family ousiht to possess a copy of the New Cyclope- dia. It is a" library in ilself. Let each man save twenty-five cents a week, and by the time the work is complete he can not only own the fifteen volumes, but also a handsome book-case to keep them in. Save five cents a day, (a little self-denial will do it,) and you save enough to buy a set of books which will give you sound information upon all points about which you wish to inquire. School children,— certainly the members of our High schools,— can all have it. Save the pennies which are given to you, run errands and "do chores" when you can, and thus earn a quarter of a dollar a week,— and the task is done. Mechanics ; you have not much time to read ; this then is just the work for you ; it wdl help you upon all points of Inquiry, and three-hours over-u-ork per week will buy it. Lawyers, physicians, clergymen! it will give breadth and accuracy to your information, and add largely to your influence and income. THE NEW CYCLOPAEDIA Will be completed in 15 volumes royal 8vo. ; $3 per volume, in cloth ; ?3..50 in library leather ; $4 in half morocco ; $4.50 in half Russia extra. D. API'LETON & CO., Publishers, June, 1S5S.— It Nos. S4G & 343 Broadway, New York. Kemoval to New York OF THE HORTICULTURIST. ALONG connection with the public as a publisher, and espe- cially of agricultural and horticultural works, as well as an innate and fostered love of these topics, has induced me to be- come the PKOPEIETOE OF THE HOKTICULTDPJST, a journal which has long maintained a prominent place in the homes of a larse circle of patrons throughout the ^Jnion, and British Provinces. It is my belief, that by devoting almost exclu- sive attention to this publication, its influences for good may be greatlv extended. The" interest in Horticulture having greatly increased during the publication of this periodical under the- successive editorial man- agement of A. .J. DOWNING. B. MUNN, P. BARRY, and its PKKENT Editoe, J. JAY SMITH, we hope that it will now enter upon an enlarged sphere of usefulness. TERMS. TWO DOLLARS a teat., payadle in advance. The Edition with colored Plates, FIVE DOLLARS. Pledging every effort in my power to make The IIorticul- TCRisT worthy of the confidence, and patronage of the public, SUDSCP.IPTIONS ARE SOLICITED. Address all business communications to C. M. SAXTON, Publisher, June, 1858.— It 25 Park Row, New York. ALBANY TILE WORKS. Corner Clinton Avenue and Knox Sts., Albany, N.Y. THE SUBSCRIBERS, beins: the most extensive manufacturers of Draining Tile in the T'nited States, have on haml, in large or small quantities, for Land Draining, Sole and Horse -shoe Tiie, warranted superior to any made in this country, hard burned, and over one foot in length. Orders solicited. Cartage free. C. & W. McCAMMON. Albany, N. Y, Dama & Co., Agents, Utica. Jas. Walker & Co., Agents, Schenectady. April— Gt SUPERIOR LAND PLASTER. FRENCH & CHAPPELL. 69 Exchange street, Rochester, N. Y., (successors to Shurtlkfi' & S.mitii, at old stand,) keep on haml, for Earniers' use, Garbutt's Celebrated Land Plas- ter. Price reduced from last year's rates. One doll.ir invested in Plaster returns fifty to the Farm. May, 1S5S. A BOOK FOR THE SEASON. The Gaeden; A New Pock: Manual of Practical IIorticulturf. Everybody who O' or rents a garden, large or small, will find this best of all gari manuals indispensable. It gives full directions for the culti tion of All the Kitchen Vegetables ; All kinds op Fkuits and Berries; All sorts op Flowers and Surues ; and All the best Ornamental Tr.EE3. It tells all about Soils AND Manures; Vegetable Growth ; i The Stkuctuee of Plants ; What Plants Live Up and shows How to prepare the Gp.ound ; How to Sow Seeds ; IIow to Cultivate : How TO Graft and Bud ; How TO Preserve Fruits and Vegetables; How to DO Evekytiiing. It is POPTTLAK, Reliable, Full of Infoemat Practical, Compkeqensive, Veby Cheap. Ton may readily understand it, easily remember its directi and without diificulty put them in practice. It is muUitm in pa and may be carried in the pocket. Adapted to all sections, sold everywhere. Orders should be sent in at once. Price paper, 30 cents ; in muslin, 50 cents. The Series of four " Rural Hand-Books" to which this bel( — " The House," " The Garden," " The Farm," and " Domt Animals" will be furnished to subscribers ordering them at same time for $1. Address FOWLER & WELLS, 508 Broadway, New Yor May, 1858.— 2t WEBSTER'S aiTARTO DICTIONARY, UIVABUIDGED. Contaiiiirig three niiES the tnatter found in any other Eng IHctionary compUed in this country, or any Alridc/men of thin uwk; a Geographical Table o/" 12,000 Names; Illustrative Quotations, and other p)ecidiarities and udvantagea found in no other zoork. Published et 6. & C. MERRIAM, Springfield, Mass I and Sold by all Booksellers. From Prof. Haven, of the University of Michigan. If called upon to sacrifice my library, volume by volume, book which I should preserve longest, except the Bilile, is American DiciiosAKY of the English Language, by Webster. E. O. HAVE! All young persons should have a standard Dictionary at t elbows. A'nd while you are about it, get the best; that 1 tionary is Noah Webster's— lG by the side of the Bible ; it is a better pounder than many which claim to be expounders. It is a g labor saver; — it has saved us time enough in one year's us pay for itself; and that must bo deemed good proi)erty wl will clear itself once a year. If you have any doubt about precise meaning of the word clear in the last sentence, loo) Webster's thirteen definitions of the v. t.—JIass. Life Boat. May, 1S5S.— St WILLIAM BROWN, COTE DES NEIGES NURSERIES, MONTREAL C. K BALSAM FIR Seed, or Balm of Gilead, $1 per pound. Ilomloek Spruce, |2 per pound. Warranted fresh and sound. European Sweet Briar, for Rose Stocks, two years, $5 per 1; European Ash, two years, if 5 per 1,000. Acer campcstre, Encjlish Maple, two years, $5 per 1,000. The Sweet Briar lakes the bud freely for Rose Stocks, an n offered at one-tenth of the price of Manetti Stocks. WM. BROWN, Nurseryman. May, IS&S— 3t Montrealj C. I ) THE GENESEE FARMER. 197 FRESK FRUITS ALL THE YEAE. THE YEOMANS FRUIT BOTTLE. (patent applied fop..) It possesses many important advan- tages over every other Can or Jar heretofore broujrht to public notice. First. — It is made of glass, and will not corrode and poison the fniit ; and being transparent, the condition of the fruit can at all times be seen, while they are so easily cleansed, that they are as good as new for succeeding years. Skcond. — They are more readily sealed up securely, than any other Can, Jar, or Bottle. Third. — The shape of the neck is such that the cork cannot be f jrced in by the atmospheric piessure on it, caused by the cooling and consequent contraction of the fruit in the bottle : and also with a neck of such length that the contraction will not bring the fruit below the neck, .so that if there should be, as there sometimes will be. a slight mold on the surface, the siir- faee'being so small, very little fruit would be thus injured, and that little could be very easily removed ; while the shape of the bottle below the neck is of such a taper, that the fruit comes out readily. Fourth. — They are cheaper than any other Bottle, Jar, or Can of merit, that has yet been brought before the public, and so cheap as to be within the reach of all. DIRECTIONS. Cook or stew the fruit in its own juice, with water enough only to keep from burning it, with sugar enough only to flavor it to the taste ; or omitting the sugar entirely till opened for use, as you please: until it iiTcooked through in every part, keeping it well covered while cooking; then with a small dipper or large spoon, and a Tunnel for the purpose, fill the Bottle, which should be standing in a pan of warm or hot M'ater, to prevent its breaking; when full, immediately cork by pressing the cork down to the jog in the neck, then with an iron spoon, or anything else, rub a Utile wax over the surface of the cork, and soon after'dip the top of the bottle into the hot wax, which completes the sealing . Keep in a cool, dry place. WAX F(JK SEALING.— An excellent sealing wax is cheaply made of about one pound Eosiu to an ounce of Tallow, to give it touglmess. Ci )RKS. &c. — Corks to fit will be furnished, when ordered, at twelve shillings per gross, (extra,) and by putting a small, stout twine, double, across the mouth of the bottle when corking, the cork, may be easily extracted without injury, and kept for fu- ture use. These bottles are stout and strong, holding a little short of a quart, au'l two quarts, and put up in original boxes of six doz. quarts at %\.hi) per doz.; and twelve doz. quart, at $1 per doz., deliverable at New York City, or at Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. T. Smaller quantities ordered from a distance, so as to require re- packing, will bo charged 25 per cent, additional. TEEMS, IN- VAKIABLY, CASH. £S^ To secure a supply, orders should be made early, as the Glass Works go out of blast in June, and the whole seasons sup- ply must be niade in May. Orders and letters of inquiry will re- ceive prompt attention. T. G. TEOMANS. Dated, Walworth, Wayne Co., N. Y. June, 1S58.— It WOODEN WATER PIPE. MANDTACTERED BY I. S. HOBBIE & CO., Rochester, N. Y. THIS i.ipe is cheap, durable,, easily laid down, not liable to get out of order, and leaves water pure and sweet. The above cut represents one section 8 feet long, 3;< inches square, with a bore 1 5-S inches, which is also the proper size for chain pump tubing. The price is 4 ceijts per foot at the factory. It is war- ranted to give entire satisfaction. Eeferesces— Any person "having it in use. Address I. S. HOBBIE & CO. June, 1858.— It 44 Arcade, Eochester, N. Y. ' pEB KIN'S CORN-HUSKING MACHINE, $550.-AGENTS JL A\ ANTED to solicit orders in every town and county.— Terras unusually liberal. Address J. PERKINS & CO. Juue, lb5S.-2t* West KiUingly, Conn. ROCHESTER AGRICULTXTRAL WORKS. ATTENTION, 1 HUESIIERS .' PITTS' PREMIUM SEPARATOR, & DOUBLE PINION HORSE POWERS. THE abo\c cut )-. 1 rcprt-cntation of tht justly celebrated PITTS' MVCIIINL lOE THEVbIII^C^ & CLEANING GRAIN, at one operation It is the bt-t Maclune for thrashing and cleaning grain in existence. The following cut represents PITTS' DOUBLE PINION EIGHT OK TEN HORSE POWER. As a superior and every way reliabe Horse Power, the above stands unrivaled. We call attention to the fact that we are now manufacturing the above Machines at Rochester N. Y., in a more substantial and du- rable manner, and of a larger capacity than any hitherto built in this city, having all the latest improvements made by John A. Pitts. We can furnish the latest and best all iron Power, for eight, ten, or less number of horses. HYDE & WRIGHT'S PATENT HORSE HOE OR CUL- TIVATOR PLOW. Designed and better adapted than any other implement for hoe- ing Corn, Broom Com, Potatoes, Cotton, or any other crop requir- ing the use of the Ilorso or Hand Hoe. It has proved itself the most valuable implement yet invented for the purpose intended. It has been in use in Western New York for the past five years- hundreds of them having been sold on trial, and none returned. Its great utility has been demonstrated in the fact that one day to the acre, with a man and horse, is all the expense of cultivating .and hoeing a field of corn for the season, if used as directed, hand hoeing, in nine cases out of ten, may be entirely dispensed with. We ha>c numerous certificates of the most satisfactory character, which we would be happy to show the public. Price, $8; if ground and polished, $8.50; No farmer should be without one. They are having an unlimited sale. Sold at whole- sale and retail. ONE HORSE MOWER. We offer Stoddaed's Mower to the Farmer as preferable to every other Mower. It will cut salt, tame, or prairie grass, will do its work well, does not clog, ^l:iU cut as much per hour, uith one horse, as any other Mower iciilh hvo horses, its draft in cutting is only from So to 110 lbs. Cuts 4 ft. 2 inches. Price, $100. Farmers who desire to secure one of the above Mowers, will please make immediate ap])lication, as we can make only a very limited number this season. We have the exclusive right for the counties of Monroe, Orleans, and Wayne. ROCHESTER CUTTING BOX. All who are in want of a Feci Cutter, adapteil equally well to the cutting of all kinds of fodder, will find our Cutting Box in all respects to answer their wants. A. GORDON & CO. Juift, 1S53— It CS South St Paul-st. Eochester, N. Y. 198 THE GENESEE FARMER. FOR THE HARVEST OF 1858. The test Combined Reaping and Mowing Machine in use, as endorsed by the United States Agricultural Society Manny's ratciit witii "Wood's Improvtment. IT is with much pleasure and renewed confidence, that I offer my machine to the Farmers for the coming harvest, with all its improvements and increased high reputation as a combined Machine and single Mower. The large sale the past season, and great success at the National Trial of tlarvest Implements at Syra- cuse in July last, where it was awarded one Gold and two Silver Medals, is conclusive to every unprejudiced farmer that it is the most approved machine of the kind in use, and the subscriber begs to say that they will be perfect and complete in workman- ship and material, and are offered to them on terms accommodat- ing and suited to the times. With each machine will be furnished two scythes, two extra guards, two extra sections, one extra pinion, and wrench. Warranted capable of cutting from 10 to 15 acres of grass or grain per day. in a workmanlike manner. Price of Machines as heretofore. The Combined Machine varies in price according to width of cut and its adaptation in size and strength, to different sections of the country, from §125 to $150, delivered here on the cars. Price of Single Mower, steel bar, $115.00 WALTER A. WOOD, Mamifacturer and Proprietor, May, 1858.— tf Hoosick Falls, N. T. KETCHUM'S COMBINED HARVESTER FOR 1858. THE improvements on this celebrated Machine for 1858 will render it the most desirable machine ever offered to the pul.ilic. Among these improvements are the following: — 1st. An expanding Reel, very simple and ingeniously arranged so as to bc! readily attached, arid is propelled by the main shaft. 2d. A new, strong, and well-braced guard, which will not clog. 3d. An adjustable Roller with a lever, by which the driver, while in his seat, can elevate the finger-bar and hold it in any desired position, for transportation, to pass over obstructions, and to aid in backing or turning corners. •1th. A Roller in the outer shoe, on which the finger-bar rests, which obviates all side draft and very much lessens the direct d-aft. The SIMPLE MOWERS have wroughf-iron frames, with all the other improvements except a Reel. With these improvements t le draft of the Ketcuum maehiu;' is as light as any machine k:iown, and by the test with the Dynamometer at Syracuse, by the U. S. Ag. Society last July, the draft of the reaper was more than one-quarter less than any "other of the 1.3 Reapers on trial. This result is obtained by enlarging the main wheel for Reaping, which lessens the motion of the knives and the actual draft of the machine fully one-quarter. The VEKY BEST MATEKi.M. IS uscd tliroughout, and no pains or ■money are spared to made the Ketchum Machine what the f irmer needs. Sample machines can be seen at all the principal places, and persons are invited to examine them before buying any other- remembering that THE BEST IS ALWAYS TUB CHEAPEST. Manufactured bv R. L. HOWARD, Buffalo, N. T., May, 1S58.— 8t (Near N, Y. Central Depot on Chicago St.) NEW ENGLAND SETTLEMENT. TO ALL WANTING FARMS IN A MILD CLIMATE AND HEALTHY PLACE. Twenty-Tliree Miles from PliiladelpUia. ON the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, New Jersey, an old es- tate has recently been opened for sale, and the first division of I0,U0O acres divided up into farms of twenty acres and up- wards. The soil is of the best qualilv fur the production ot Iruits, grain, &c. The price is from $15 to $20 per acre, payable in easy quarter yearly instalments, within a term of four years, with in- terest. The terms are made easy, in order to ensure the rapid improvement of the laad, by enabling every Industrious man to buy a farm. It is now being extensively improved by good roa.(ls, and some of the best citizens from New England are erectmg large improvements. It is a scene of the greatest improvements out of Philadelphia. Practical farmers from the length and breadth of the Union are settling there. It is an hnportant busi- ness place, on account of its being in the midst of a great market. Every article raised upon this land finds an immediate sale. The water is excellent, and no such thing as fever is known. The soil is a sandy or a clay loanvl with a clay bottom, and re- tentive of manures. It is free of stones, and easily worked. It abounds largely in Ihe phosphates, and such is its fertility, that from the crops jiroduced both upon this land and the large area adjoining uiuUr cuUivatiou, it will be found by statistic report no) to be excelled aiiywlicre, in the production of croi)S most adapted to its market. The reader may be well aware that the earliest and the Ijcst fruits and vegetables come from New Jersey, which are annually exported to tlie extent of millions of dollars. The land, besides being accessible in every way for fertilizers, has ar abundant supply of the best quality of muck manure. Lumber and building materials can be had on the spot, at a cheap price, from the mills. Other mills are now being opened, and brick yards being started on the ground. A person can pu a frame tenement for'present convenience, for one hundred dol- lars. On .account of the exteiLsive emigration, this is the besi course to pursue, in order to get a place to live in at first. Car- penters and builders are on hand to put up buildings on the bes terms. In settling here, the emigrant has many advantages. He is within a/^w hours'' ride of tlie great cities in the Middle State- and A'rtc Englnnd. He is near his old friends and associations He is in a nettled country, where every improvement and conifor of civilization is at hand. He is in a /fcoW)?/ place, and is no snbject to the certainty of losing the greater part of his family ani his own health by those malignant fevers which make the gr.ave- of so many of the young and" hardy, in far-off regions away Iron home and friends. Besides, he has a mild climate and an opor winter. There are lliree trains daily tn Philadrlpbia; ai;d to al those who improve, the Railroad Company gives ufree ticket. The reader will at once be struck with the advantages here pre- sented, and ask himself why the projierty has not been taken up before. The reason is. It was never thrown in the market ; and unless these statements were correct, no one would be invited tc examine the land before purchasing. This all are expected to do They will see the land under cultivation. They will meet jierson: no doubt from their own neighborhood. They will witness thi improvements, and can judge'of the character of the population Persons should come prepared to purchase, as many are locathif and locations are not held on refusal. Title indisputable. Warrantee deeds given. Route to the Land.— Leave Vine street wharf, Philadelphia for Hammonton, by railroad, at 7>^ A. M. 4 P. M. When there inquire for Mr. BYRNES. Boarding conveniences will be found A hotel is also at Vine street wharf. B^"Letters and applications can also be addressed fo S. B , COUGIILIN, 202 South Fifth street, below Walnut street, Phila delphia. Maps and information cheerfully furnished. It. THE SEYMOUK & MORGAN SELF-RAKING REAPER AND MOWER COMBINED What Farmef-s say of it ! — Extracts from Letters, &c. " It is simple, durable, and well made." " It not onlv cuts well, but rakes off the grain splendidly." "The grain can be bound with three-fourths the labor that i can when raked by hand." " My boy, fourteen years old, cut 170 acres with it this season and did the work better than can be done by the old hand-rakinf reapers." " It mows admirablv in all kinds of grass." "I boujrht one in 1856, cut 240 acres with it, and sold it fo: what it cost. Bought another in 1857, which worked as well a the first." Farmers! if j'ou want to economize in these times, better appl.' at once to us or one of our agents fgr one of the above machines SEYM6TjTR, MORGAN, & ALLEN, May, 18i.8.— 2t Brockport, Monroe Co., N. T. A. LONGETT, No. 34 CLIFF STREET, NEW YORK, DEALER in Peruvian. Colombian and Mexican Guano, SupMfJj jihosphate of Lime, and Bone Dust. ^ November 1, 1857. — ly. THE GENESEE FARMER. 199 IMPORTANT TO FARMERS AND GARDENERS. FOR SVLK — ACOFT 3000 ACRES OF OOOP GARDEN AND FARM LAND, in-tlio town of ISLIP, Long Island, about 43 niilos from the city of New York, by the Long Island Eailroad. Tins land offers great opportunities for Garleners and Farmers who may wish to settle on Long; Island, the soil beincc a fine warm'yellow loam, entirely free from stone or swamp f is from 1> inehes to 3 feet deep, and will produce by ordinary cul- ture all kinds of grain and fruits that can be produced in the vicinity or latitude of New York. There is not much wood on it, though fifteen years ago it was heavily timbered. The whole tract is what may be called an elevated table-land, with a south- ern asitect, sloping to the south about 20 feit to the mile, and at the railroad, on the north side or north end of this tract, the sur- face is 100 feet above tide water, distant 5 miles from the shore of the Great South Bay. Good water can be had on any part of the laud by wells, which on the north, ne?r the railroad, are 40 feet deep, with never-failing water, and on the southerly parts from r.' to 2ii feet deep. The water on this part of the island is of re- markable purity, and the wells and streams never fail. This part of Long Island is famous for its fine trout streams. The climate is healthy and pleasant; meteorological records show that the temperature is ten degrees milder on Long Island in winter, and ten degrees cooler in summer, than the main shore in the same latitude. The summers on Long Island are particularly pleasant, .as the air is always tempered by the sea-breeze, and yet there are more c\(:ht and suimv days in the year on Long Island than in any other part of the State of New York. AVood and timber grow rapidly on the island. Every IS or 20 years will produce a growth of wood large enough for market. The forest trees on this part of the Island are oak in variety, chestnut, hickory, and locust, formerly in great abundance. Oa rny land there is but little o.ak or chestnut, and but little or no pine of large growth, as the timber and wood have been destroyed by the axe, and by frequera burnings during the past W yelirs, though there is a good deal of wood on portions, suitable for fire- wood ; on some parts a new and thrlffy growth has started, and in some places a change of forest, frcmi pine to oak, seems to be taking place. The shrub or scruh oak' of Long Isl.ind, about which so much has been said in connection with these lands, is not a tree, nor ever can be made a tree, or become a tree, no more than a lilac bush or quince, in any soil, no matter how rich or f'Ttile. It is a distinct shrub or dwarf, called also the bear oak, producing great quantities of acorns, and never grows more than five or ten feet high, and on the Island it seems to perform the pr;rt of a bramble to overrun the land. It is of very vigorous growth, filling the ground full of its roots almost like a mat, and where the forest trees have been destroyed by the axe or fire, these little oaks soon take entire possession of the ground, and grow so rank or vigorous that they smother and crowd out every- thing else. When the ground is cleared or made clear of the" I have said in relation thereto; and of the facts I speak from per- sonal positive knowledge, and I hold myself responsible to sus- tain everj-thing I have ever said in relation to the Island and its lands, water, soil, climate, and health. As a premium or inducement to settle and improve this land, I will give to each purchaser, or settler, who will make iuprove- ments (until further notice,) a commutation ticket to pass over the Long Island Eailroad between Broolclyn and North Islip. for one year, and also will carry out his freight, lumber, and buildinc materials at my own cost or charge, for one year. Address ^ EDGAR F. PECK, M. D., 302 State-st., Brooklyn, N. T. or, apply by letter or in person, to ANTHONY J. BLEECKER & SON. No. 7 Bond -St., New York. To the Post Master, Suffolk Station, North Islip, Long Island, N. Y. Refer as to title and quality of land, to the Hon. Levi S Chat- field, late Attorney General of the State of New York, No. 6 Wall street. New York. To the Hon. George Miller (late Judge and Surrogate of Suffolk county,) Riverhead, Suffolk county, Long Island, N. Y. Ajiply also to Samuel Coverly, No. 10, State-st., Boston, and to John H. Wiles, Buffalo. N. Y. June, 1S53.— It 200 THE GENESEE FARMER. Prices of Agricultural Products at the Principal Markets in the United States, Canada and England. Beef, per 100 lbs., . . . do mess, per bbl.,. Pork, per luO lbs., . . . do mess, per bbl... LarJ, per lb., Butter, do Cheese, do Flour, per bbl., Wheal, per bush., . . . Corn, shelled, per bu.. Bye, Oats, Barley, Clover Seed, Timothy Seed, Flax Seed, Hay, per ton, "Wool, per lb., Wood, hard, per cord do do do do do do NEW YORK, Mav 24th. $10.5(1 1 6.75 IT.OO .11 .15 .06 4.00 .82 .63 .67 ..50 .59 4.20 2.00 1.63 7.40 .24 $11.50 7.50 17.50 .11'-. .23 .08 7 50 1.25 .76 .70 .47 .63 4.60 2.25 1.75 10.00 .42 PHILADELP'IA. May 24th. $15.00 @ $17.00 18.00 18.50 .11^ .13 .12 .16 4.87 .80 .64 .66 .37 .60 4.25 6.00 1.25 .71 .68 .40 4.37>,' 1.55 ".27" 1.60 ".45' KOCUESTEPv, May 25th. $4.50 @ $6.00 6.00 16.00 .11 .14 .07^ 4.00 .37 .55 .48 .86 .40 8.50 2.00 1.00 7.00 .20 4.50 6.00 17.00 .12 .16 .09 5.50 1.00 .69 .50 .37^ .50 4.00 2.50 1.12X 11.00 .30 5.50 CHICAGO, May 24th. J9.00 @ $11.00 5.00 IG.OO .15 .06 2.25 .60 .38 .50 .25>r .25 450 1.50 .70 4.50 5.75 17.50 .10>- .18 .10 5.25 .90 .50 .53 .29 .35 5.00 1.75 .90 7.00 TOEONTO, May 22d. LONDON, ENG., May 5th. $6.00 @ $7.00 .25 8 60 .70 4.15 .90 .55 .30 .30 4.50 1.50 .82 .45 5.00 1.75 4.00 6.50 12.00 .16 4.00 17.00 4.50 $8.25 @ $15.00 10 50 15.00 .13 .19 .13 5.23 1.17 1.02 .84 .03 .78 5.00 .17 .28 .15 6.00 1;53 1.05 .90 1.02 1.17 7.25 1.74 "'.26 l.SO ".23* CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. Experiments on the Growth of Barley by different Manures, Special Manures Americao Agricultural Books— No. 3 The Rothanisted Experiments Suirgested Items— No. 21 Nolos for the Month, by S. W Wakefield's Hand Corn Plantei How to make bad Batter — The Good seUs the Bad Wheat turning yellow in the Spring An Extensive'Farmer '■■• Beans as a Field Crop Piisturing Sheep in Orchards The Subjects fur Prize Essays Preparing Fire Wood in the Fall Management of Permanent Grass Land Lojk to the Couch Gr.ass The Way to have good Roads Cultivation of Corn When should Timothy be cut? Potato Eyes for Seed A Few Thoughts on Agriculture Experiment in feeding Cooked rs. Raw Com Fencing Clearing Bush Land Chewed Com Stalks and Mad Itch ■ ■ • • Chip Manure ^^'■^ Harrows and Harro\>ing • • ■ • Racks for feeding Cattle 1=^) India Rubber Taps on Boots during Ilaymg Feeding Calves A Boy on the Mowin" Machine Question Cnltivation of Sweet Potatoes C'lrn Travel Do we stir the Soil too much ? How does Water get into Drain Tiles ? ■ ■ • • Plans of Farm Houses l-^i Plan of an Octagon House nORTICULTUR.VL DEPARTMENT. Cheap Luxuries • ;; ■ • • • • What is the Cause of the Failure of so many Trees sent out by Nurserymen ? The Rural Annual Cultivation of Tomatoes Cultivation of the Peach Shelter for Orchards Pruning and Cultivating Apple Orchards Pegging down Plants Tobacco and the Plum Curculio To dcstrov the Curculio Wire for Grape Trellises Cultiv.ate the Soil around Fruit Trees Large Purple Egg Plant Pruning Peach Trees The Truffle ■ Caterpillars on Fruit Trees 169 170 171 173 173 174 174 175 175 176 176 177 177 178 178 179 179 170 179 180 180 180 ISO 181 181 181 195 182 135 182 183 133 183 183 184 1S4 185 185 LABIES DEPARTMENT. Original Domestic Receipts, Ip2 Ladies, Write for the Genesee Farmer US What are the Proper Duties of a Farmer's Wife? .... , 193 editor's table. ■ To our Agents and Friends everywhere 194 Eead the Advertisements 1"4 Two valuable Grasses 194 Summer Exhibition of the Genesee Valley Hort Society 194 Deferred Communications 194 Convention of Agricultural Editors 195 The Horticulturist 195 Notices, Items, etc 195 Inquiries and Answers 195 illustrations. Harrows — three figures 1-2 Racks for Feeding Cattle— two figures ■ . 1?3 Plans of Farm Houses— three figures 1-4, I80 Octagon House ■ 1^5 Plans of do 1^5 The Truffle 192 MORGAN HORSE ZACHARY TAYLOR, SIRE Gen. Gifford by sire Gifford Morgan, will stand this sea- son at the stable oi' the subscriber, in the northwest corner 0 f the town of York, Livingston county, N. Y""., 4 miles east of South Le Rov. gs^= TE 1: MS— $6 to insure. Persons disposing of mares before foaling, to be held for the services of the horse. DANIEL D. McVEAN. York, N. Y., June, 1858.— It GENERAL GEBTORD, Jr. THIS beautiful Morgan Stallion may be found the coming sea- son at the stable of the Subscriber, in Walworth. He is a beautiful chestnut, with no marks. Took the First Premium at the State Fair, and can'i be beaten anywhere, not even excepting his splendid sire old General Gifford. ELIAB YE0MAN3, May, 1858.— 2t* Wa'worth, Wayne Co., N. Y. The Practical and Scientific Farmnh Own Paper. THE GENESEE FARMER, A MONTHLY JOURNAL C? AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE:. ILLUSTEATED -WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS OF Fanii Buildings, Animals, Implements, Fruits, &c. VOLUME XIX, FOR 1858. Fifty Cents a Year, In Advance. Five Copies for $2 ; Eight Copies for $3 ; and any larger num- ber at the same rate. ^" All subscriptions to commence with the year, and the entire volume supplied .to all subscribers. ^W Post-Masters, Farmers, and all friends of improvement, are respectfully solicited to ob'tain and forward subscriptions. Specimen numbers sent to all applicants. Subscription money, M properly enclosed, may be sent at the risk of the Publisher. Address JOSErH HARRIS, January 1, 1S5S. Rochester, N. T, ^^ Wmef:^m ■r^JX/'^-'-.'^j: ■^■^'^^ ,,'y.J^J''^' " Vol. XIX, Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., JULY, 1858. No. 7. A LONG ISLAISD PKIZE FARM. In 1851, and also in 1852, the American Institute awarded the first premium for the " best ciiltivated farm of one himdred acres" to E. H. Kimball, Esq., of Flatlands, Kings county, Long Island. The early part of last month, we had the pleasure of visiting this justly celebrated farm, and think a brief account of it may not be uninteresting to our readers. The farm contains a little over one hundred acres of arable land, and is situated about eight mUes from New York, on the shore of Jamaica Bay, which affords easy communication with the city by water. The soil is an exceedingly fine, friable loam, with a thin layer of clay lying on a graveUy subsoil, which affords excellent drainage. There is not a stone on the farm. From its peculiar location, sea weed and drift can be had in great quantities, and they are placed in the cattle yards, where they are converted into excellent manure. A considerable quantity of manure is also brought from New York. This is made into a compost with the manure of the farm, muck, leached ashes, bone-dust, etc., the heap being covered with sea weed and drift, which ab- sorb the ammonia. The heap is turned once or twice, till it is thoroughly rotted, and so fine that it can be spread with a shovel without adhering to it. The manure is applied wholly to spring crops, and Mr. K. is undoubtedly right in decomposing it as much as possible, as in such condition it acts with great rapidity, and pushes the plants forward during the early stages of their growth. He attributes much of his success to this method of composting manures ; but it must not be forgotten that the soil is naturally rich, and also that manures are used with great liberality. The principal crop raised on the farm is potatoes, the main object being to get them early, while they command a high price. They are planted in rows three feet apart, and from ten to twelve inches in the rows. The land is first plowed, and harrowed tiU in fine tilth ; drills are then opened, and a sprink- ling of Peruvian guano — say 50 lbs. per acre — scat- tered in the drills ; the thoroughly rotted, composted manure, previously alluded to, is then spread m the rows, and the seed planted on the manure and cov- ered with the plow. Before the potatoes make their appearance, the land is harrowed for the pur- pose of breaking the crust and killing the weeds. The cultivator and plow are fi-equently used, and at the time of our visit nothing could exceed the cleanliness and mellowness of the ground and the luxuriousness of the crop. The varieties mainly planted are the Early June and Blue Mercer. The former are dug and sent to market before they are fully ripe, and are sold at a very high price. As soon as the early potatoes are dug, the land is planted with cabbage, celery, spinach, or ruta bagas. Celery is very profitable, and the necessary- deep tillage and heavy manuring render the soil exceedingly fertile for subsequent crops. Mr. K. had four acres of celery last season, and intends to plant ten acres the present year. Mr. Kimball has two rows of hot-beds, each row about two hundred feet long and nine feet wide, covered with sash. From these beds he has sold this spring over $300 worth of lettuce, and the beds at the time of our visit were occupied with cucumbers, $200 worth having been already sold. A few acres only are sown with wheat — but such wheat we have not seen elsewhere the present year. It is the Mediterranean. Mr. K. formerly sowed the Bergen wheat, a variety originating in the neighborhood. It appears that Mr. Bergeji discovered a single head of this variety growing in a field of wheat. He kept it separate, and soon raised enough to furnish seed for himself and neigh- bors. It was known as the White Bergen^ and has frequently taken prizes at the Fairs of the Ameri- can Institute. Unfortunately, during the excite- ment in regard to the Australian wheat, a few- years ago, the Bergen was abandoned, and now none can be found. It was an early and everyway excellent variety, and far sitperior to the Australian, which, in fact, is now little cultivated. In conjunction with underdraining, judicious ma- nuring, and good cultivation, an early and produc- tive variety of wheat of good quality would do much toward enabling us to bid defiance to tliat 202 THE GENE&EE FARMEE. terrible pest the wheat midge, and the history of the Bergen wheat should stimulate us to greater activity and hopefulness in our endeavors to dis- cover such a variety. The crops of timothy and clover on this farm were very fine. The land is seeded down with wheat — the timothy being sown in the fall and the clover in the spring. When the land is once stocked, it is allowed to remain in meadow as long as it will produce, without top dressing, two tons of clean timothy hay per acre, which it will generally do for five or sis yeai-s. When plowed, it is planted with corn, followed by potatoes, with a second crop of cabbage or turnips. The next year it is also planted with potatoes, and is then sown with wheat and seeded down. Each crop id well ma- nured, except the turnips. All the stock on the farm is soiled in the yards during the summer — a practice which aflords a large quantity of excellent manure, and enables the farmer to dispense, in a good degree, with fences. Of course, it does not follow, because soiling is l)rofitable on a farm contiguous to a large city, where labor is cheap (ilr. K. pays his men from $5 to $10 per month and board) and produce high, that it would pay where land and produce are cheap and labor dear. Sugar beets, carrots, parsnips, and other roots, are extensively gi'own as food for stock. They ai'e all sown in drills, after subsoil plowing, and are lieavily manured in the drLUs, great care being taken to have the manure thoroughly rotted and inti- mately incorporated with the soil. The profits of this farm are full fifty dollars per acre ; and Mr. K. says he shall not be satisfied till his hundred, acres net him $10,000 per annum! But the excellent system of cultivation so success- fully and profitably adopted on this beautiful farm, is not its only feature ot" interest. W^e have seldom seen, even in England, a more charming country residence. As you approach the place, an Ameri- can Arbor Vit© hedge and an avenue of Ailanthus trees indicate more than ordinary taste. No high wall or exclusive lodge frowns on the weary, dusty traveler. lie finds tlie gate hospitably open wide, ajid enters the admirably laid out and well kept grounds between two noble specimens of that hand- somest of hardy evergreens, the Norway Spruce. Each step along the finely gravelled carriage way reveals some new view of the beautiful lawn hi front of a large and homelike country house, sur- rounded on three sides with a piazza, the pillars of which are encircled with sweet-scented honey- suckles. Let us stop and look at these fine Paulow- nias, shedding their large blue flowei-s in rich pro- fusion on the close mown grass; here is the delicate Persian Lilac, and there the rough but handsome Pyrus Japonica ; to the right is the trunk of a dead Maple tree covered with graceful vines, and in that clump of evergreens nestles a cozy arbor. How pleasing to the eye are tl'ese American and Chinese Arbor Vitajs ! how handsome those Austrian and Weymouth Pines ! Delicious is the fragrance shed, by these European Lindens on the ocean air. How handsome and graceful are- these pendulous Ameri- can Elms ! how beautiful those Sycamores, Labur- nums, and Magnolias ! what fine beds of Gerani- ums, Fuchsias, and Verbenas! Who would reside in the city, even in a mansion on Fifth Avenue, when he could retire from the bum of Broadway and the excitement of WaU street to such a scene as this-? DO CEEEALS LESTKOY NITEOGEN? The leader in the June number of the Farmer leads me to inquire whether the evidence is clear and satisfactory that wheat and other cereals " de- stroy nitrogen, or ammonia? " The word destroy is not generally used in this country as it is by the editor of the Farm&Ty although it may be in England. A man may "destroy" a house by setting it on fire; the wheat midge or Hessian fiy may "-destroy" a crop of wheat; but for a barley plant to "destroy" an ele- ment of fertility beyond what it contains, is not less a new use of language than a new idea (a). Prof. Way was, I believe, the first to suggest tliat cereals, whose stems abound in fiint, may obtain the latter as a silicate of ammonia, which being de- compounded, the ammania escapes into the atmos- phere, leaving the silicic acid (tiiut) deposited as a hard and strengthening covering to the culms of cereal grasses. In this way, more ammonia would be taken np from the soil than an analysis of the whole crop would show — that which has passed through plants into the air would be so much clear loss to the ground cultivated. Nitrogen thus dis- posed of, is said to be "destroyed," meaning lost for all agricultural purposes, as a return of the en- tire crop of wheat, corn, barle}', oats, or timothy, to the soil, would fail to restore one-half of tlie nitrogen (ammonia) consumed. To my mind, this theory is alike unsound and unsupported by proper facts. Fairly carried out, it makes nature not friendly, but strangely hostile, to the enduring growth of all our bread-forming plants (5) ; for the restoration of the whole plant is wholly inadequate to preserve the normal fruit- fulness of the soil. It must be fertilized with two or three bushels of wheat, in order to produce one ! Such a scheme of agricultural compensation goes far ahead of the ancient Babylonians, who, accord- ing to Herodotus, raised two hundred bushels of corn (wheat) from one of seed ; and of Isaac^ the son of Abraham, who raised a hundred fold for tie seed planted in Palestine ; and of the modern Chi- nese and Belgians, with their night-soil and other concentrated manures (c). As I understand Mr, Lawes' experiments, they prove much less than is assumed. They do not show, except by inference, that all, or even the half of the nitrogen which he applied in nitrates of potjxsh, soda, lime and mag- nesia, and in salts of ammonia, ever ent&red the THE GENESEE FARMER. 203 TOots of barley grown ou liis experimental plots (iZ). The readers of the Farmer for the last twenty years will bear witness, that I have often caHed public attention to the fact that tlie soluble food of plants, iike the salts above named, beieg dissolved in the poll, will go, to a large extent, into ditches, creeks, ponds, rivers and lakes, and also deep into the earth, with the water that forms springs. Two of the most 'important organic acids, both of which oontain nitrogen, (crenic and appocrenic.) take their names from a Greek vrord that signities ""a spring," from the circumstance that Berselius first found them ia spring water. If rain water could not re- move fertilizers from clay, sand, loam, and vegeta- ble mold, they T»"0uld be no better food for grain •crops than the most sterile flhit, whose insolubility is generally known. The fact must be proved, (not inferred,) that the eoil loses, by washing and leach- ing, none of the luanure (nitrogen) said to be " de- stroyed" by cereals. I have always contended that tillage alone con- ■sumes and dissipates the elements of crops in arated fields. The first breaking up of a prairie frequently renders a neiglihorhood unhealthy, as I have wit- nessed in southern Illinois. What causes this in- crease of ague and fevers, where large areas of ricli land are first plowed? Visit the rice plantations ,in South Carolina and Georgia, and see wL-xt the -Stirring of the grouud has to do in the way of aug- menting swamp miasma — increasing the decay of vegetable matter. If tillage decomposed nothing, rendered nothing soluble, it would do next to noth- ing to increase tlie food of jjlants. If manure is destroyed in a cultivated field, man, not nature, does the injury. Her laws husband — not destroy nor waste — the elements which con- stitute our daily bread. The materials which suf- fice to make one bushel of wheat, or one loaf of bread, are adequate to form another of the same weight. One may feed hogs so much corn, and so badly, that half of it is wasted ; and it is easy to feed growing grain in a similar manner. The sci- ence of feeding agricultural plants is in its infancy, and Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert are great public benefactors for their distinguished labors to eluci- date the subject. d. lee. Remarks. — It w^^s with extreme regret that we were compelled, a few months ago, to differ with our respected friend Dr. Lee, in regard to the " practical utility of soil-analyses.'" AVe had hoped that on other points pertaining to the progi'ess of a^n-icultural improvements, our views would be :i;ore in accordance with those of our puissant and ■lopular predecessor. If true, the destruction of nitrogen (ammonia and nitrie acid) during the avowth of wheat, barley, Indian corn, a'ld other Cereals, is one of the most important facts which the investigations of modern agricultural science iiave developed. It affords a satisfactory explana- tion of the advantages of such systems of rotation as practical experience has induced observing farm- ers in all ages and all countries to adopt, — and we liave no other explanation tliat does not run coun- ter to some well established fact bearing on the I point. The retention of nitrogen by such plants as clover, peas, beans, turnips, lupins, etc., and its dissipation by such plants as wheat, bai-ley, oats, Indian corn, etc., is of itself sufficient to account for the fact that the cultivation of the former plants improves a farm, while the continued, culti- vation of the latter rapidly impoverishes it. Let us, however, examine the objections of Dr. Le-e to this doctrine of the destruction of ammonia by the cereals. (a) In chemistry, to destroy is to resolve a body into its parts or elements. In this sense, it is im- possible to destroy nitrogen, which is itself an ele- ment. But when speaking of manures, the term nitrogen, for obvious reasons, is often used instead of anunonia, or nitric acid. Dr. Lee himself often uses it in this sense. In the article w^hich Dr. Lee essays to criticisQ, w^e say " it is quite evident that the principal substance required for the growth of a large crop ef barley, as of wheat, is nitrogen (ammonia)." Again: " An application of nitrogen (ammonia) always gave an increiised yield of wheat."" It is plain, from the,se extracts, that when we spoke of the destruction of nitrogen^ we referred to ammonia or to nitric acid; and this Dr. Lee knew quite well. To speak of the destruction of ammonia or nitric acid, is not a "new use of lan- guage." Webstee, as well "in England" as in "this country," is acknowledged to be good author- ity, and he defines destroy — "In chemistry^ to re- solve a body into its paits or elements." Now, if plants resolve ammonia into its elements, hydrogen and nitrogen, they may be said to '■'■destroy'''' am- morda. We believe cereal plants dissipate ammonia ; but wliether they first decompose it, or not, we have at present no satisfactory evidence. It is probable that such is the case. Under such circumstances, is it a new use of language to say that jslants de- stroy ammonia? Dr. Lee himself, in an article in the Patent Office Eeport for 1852-3, asks: " In what way can the natural resources of the soil be best preserved from injury and saved from destruction ? " Now, the "natural resources" referred to, are the elements of plants in the soil, including nitro- gen. On another page of the same artick, the Professor again says : " It is right and proper for each generation to use all the natural resources of the eartli ; but for any one generation to destroy or seriously injure them, is a wrong of the gravest character, and of inestimable magnitude." And yet again, in the same article : " This statesmanship which ignores the very ex- istence of agricultural science, and repudiates all its teachings, costs the counti-y three hundred million dollars a year by the needless destruction of its ag^ ricultural resources." ao4 ;the gekesee farmek. Why our friend the Professor should object to our using a word in the same sense as he himself uses it, we are somewhat at a loss to determine. Perhaps since he wrote the article we have quoted, he has discovered a better word. If he has, we should be happy to adopt it. (o) This appears to us a very poor argmnent. The assertion that cereal plants destroy ammonia, rests on the most careful, extensive, prolonged and systematic series of experiments that have ever been made in any country or in any age. But Dr. Lee does not credit it. Why ? Because it " makes nature not friendly, but strangely hostile to the en- during growth of all our bread-forming plants." For the same reason, the Professor might deny the existence of "thorns and thistles," of the wheat- midge, or the pear-blight. " In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread." To gi-ow "bread- forming plants" is not an easy task. "Nature" is not, at first sight^ " friendly" to it. The soil does not throw up wheat as readily as it throws up weeds. But the means necessary to destroy the weeds, pul- verizes the soil and renders it more fertile, and the wheat-midge will make us underdrain and enrich our lands. Nature is only apparently, not really " hostile." " The foolishness of God is wiser than man." Those laws which appear foolish and " hos- tile" are infinitely wise and " friendly." Substan- ces which contain nitrogen, when left exposed to the air, rapidly decompose and give olf gases which, more than all others, are injurious to animal life. If nature was friendly to the growth of bread- forming plants — if they did not require a greater supply of nitrogen than the atmosphere could sup- ply— where would be the inducement to collect and preserve these substances ? Again, this unfriendly law prevents any one gen- eration from exhausting the soil of the elements of plants. To grow large crops of bread-forming plants, we require in the soil a large quantity of ammonia ; but there is no natural way of furnish- inn- ammonia, which does not at the same time fur- nish a proportionate quantity of all the other in- gr-edients of plants. Slovenly and careless farmers impoverish their land, but they can not exhaust it. A few years of judicious management will restore it to its original fertility. This talk about the farm- ers of the United States destroying " three hundred million dollars" worth of the ingredients of plants every year, is sheer nonsense. We believe the soil of the United States will be as productive a hun- dred years heace as it is to-day — and this owing to the very law which the Professor considers "strangely hostile to the enduring growth of aU our bread-formijig plants." (c.) Professor, you are di-eaming. You deny the destruction of ammonia by the wheat plant, be- 1 cause it would follow that a soil " must he fertilised with two or three bushels of wheat in order to produce one," and then,, to show the absurdity of such an idea, you say that the ancient Babylonians^ "raised two hundred bushels of wheat from one of seedy You forget that we are talking of manures, not seed. The facts stated, if true, are interesting, but they have not the remotest bearing on the point under discussion. The elements contained in a bushel of wheat can. be purchased for ten or fifteen cents, and that in a condition better suited as a manure than would be the wheat itself. Does the Professor think that ten or fifteen cents worth of manure will produce an extra bushel of wheat? If he does, we assure him he has only to make the experiment to become sat- isfied of his error. Plow under a crop of wheat that would yield fifteen bushels per acre, and then sow the land again to wheat, and your next crop would not give an increase of fifteen bushels of wheat per acre ; plow under a good crop of clover or peas, and you might obtain an inci'ease of fifteen, bushels of wheat per acre ; and this owing to the fact that wheat destroys a-iimonia, while clover and peas do not. (d.) It is true that we did not see the ammonia enter the roots of the plants. But if on one acre, an application of 25 lbs. of ammonia gives an in- crease of five bushels of wheat, and 50 lbs. on an- other acre, ten bushels,— 75 lbs. fitteen bushels, and 100 lbs. twenty bushels ;— if, in short, the increase of wheat is in proportion to the ammoniai supplied as manure, it is fair to assume that the ammonia i» the cause of the increase. It did not increase the crop by rendering phosphate of lime or other min- eral or organic substances in the soil soluble, for an application of soluble phosphate of lime and all the other mineral and organic ingredients of plants, (except nitrogen — ammonia — or nitric acid,) did not increase the crop. The ammonia, therefore, must have leen taTcen up J>y the roots of the plants. Now, the plants did not contain more than about one fifth as much nitrogen (ammonia) as Vtras sup- plied in the manure. We conclude, therefore, that they had dissipated (thrown oE into the atmos- phere) four-fifths of the ammonia taken up by the roots. Dr. Lee thinks that the plants only took up one-fifth of the ammonia supplied in manure, and that the other four-fifths was washed out of the soil. Now we cannot conceive how the rain should wash out of one acre of soil 20 lbs. of am- monia, and leave 5 lbs. for the use of the plants,— out ot another acre 40 lbs. and leave 10 lbs., — out of another 60 lbs. and leave' 15 lbs.,— and out of another acre 80 lbs., and leave 20 lbs. to be ab- sorbed by the plants. The increase of wheat was in proportion to the ammonia supplied as manure ; THE GENESEE FARMER. 205 the loss of ammonia was also in proportion to the increased growth of the plants. The increased growth, we have shown, was caused by the ab- sorption of ammonia by the roots of the plants ; the loss of ammonia must have been caused in the same way, and not by leaching. SUGGESTED ITEMS. -No. 22. A WEEK without much rain, gives "a time to plant corn," and we, with the rest of mankind, are seeking to improve the same. With what glorious sunmier days does June, this year, come in ! '■'•Special Manures^'''' and the theories connected therewith, have received their quietus ; but this is far from proving that experiments may not dem- onstrate the special requirements of particular crops. I am glad to see your remarks on the ques- tion, and your defence of Messrs. Lawes & Gilbert, for this is not the first time Prof. J. has insinuated the same thing to their prejudice. '■'"American Agricultural Boohs," again. If you mean by '■'•dissolving bones," merely bi-inging them into a state of pasty powder, the assertion that it can not be done "in moistened ashes," is incorrect in regard to some bones which I have so treated. The softer and more porous bones were brought to this state — the very hai'd ones were but little affected, even after lying months in the ash heap. Your commendation of Prof. Nash's little book is well deserved. " The Good sells the Bad,'''' we have found to our sorrow, and the bad often spoils the sale of the good. The question still remains, " "What can we do about it?" Another Wheat Worm! — surely, we must be in earnest in our search for a " substitute for wheat growing." Yet, it may be that farmer Johnston's salt will settle the mischief. '■'■.Permanent Grass Land'''' is well managed by our Tennessee M. D. I would particularly com- mend the idea of changing pastures frequently. I know that cattle, sheep, and horses, thrive better when they can have several pastures to graze in rotation, not staying in one more than a week at once — vaiying, of course, with the character of the grazing and amount of stock to consume it. '■'■Afew Thoughts'''' from Mr. Lyman will, we hope, be followed by others fi'om his pen. To "make a good farm'''' on our best land, requires both skill, system, and the " gift of continuance" — or patient following out. of well-directed eftbrts for improvement. Clear land, drained land, and plenty of good manure, aU faithfully employed, fiU barn and pocket. '■'■Harrows and Harrowing'''' might be further illustrated, for forms of harrows are almost endless. The same is true of '■'■ Raclcs for feedAng Cattle.'''' The main thing is to have the fodder and a comfortable place for the cattle to consume it. '■''Feeding Calves'''' requires some judgment ; — so I concluded this morning, as I saw my calves shiv- ering after iu;>bibihg a gallon of x;old milk each. They must have it warmed a trifle hereafter. I am putting in a good handful of barley meal for each caft — to their manifest improvement. Let the meal be bolte 1 or sifted, as the bran is harsh and «oarse. '■'■Do we stir the Soil too much?'''' is scarcely a question on our argillaceous soils ; but Mr. Johns- ton might have included Sanfoed Howard, with Dr. Lee and Mr. Billingsly, as among those who think there is danger in this direction. Did you ever notice how frequent the occasion which Mr. H. takes to remark on the error of agricultural writers in recommending deep and thorough culti- vation too indiscriminately ? '''■Cheap Ltcxuries.'''' Good doctrine. Friend Hooker, don't be discouraged in your labor with us, unappreciative " sons of toil." The gardens are extending, year by year — a taste, now and then, of these "luxuries" begets a "hankering" after them which will set us at work in earnest, by and by. Niagai-a Co., K Y., Jwne, 1S5S. B. NOTES FOR THE MONTH. -BY S. W. Can Plants absorb Nitrogen from the Aie? — Although the experiments of M. Ville favor such a theory, not only the long labored experiments of Boussingault and othws disprove it ; but if Ville's theory is true, it can only extend to the quantum of nitrogen found in the composition of the plant, and by no means tliat supply of ammonia required to fit and prepare the soil to give maximum crops. The Editor of the Genesee Farmer's Experi- ments WITH Phosphate of Limb. — Me thinks those experiments, so carefully made, go far to confirm the previous consecutive experiments of J. B. Lawes, at his experimental farm in England, to wit: that phosphoric acid is better suited to the growth of turnips and the herbaceous grasses, than to the cereal grains ; and I believe that the correct- ness of the theory proved by Lawes' numerous field experiments, that phosphoric acid is the special manure for turnips and not for wheat, has never yet been disproved by any authentic trials. It is now generally conceded that Liebig's attack on the Rothamsted experiments and theory amounted to nothing more than pertinacious and very ingenious special pleading. The Management of Permanent Grass Lands. — ^F. H. JoRDON, of East Tennessee, contributes to the last Farmer one of the best articles on this sub- ject I have read for many a day ; and his theory, although perhaps not euited to the elevated grass regions of this State, is the more especially feasible in the calcareous or limestone soils of western New York. — It is too much proved that the deterioration of the value of the soil of western New York is more owing to the neglect of grass-growing than to any other cause. To say nothing of clover-grow- ing as a manurial necessity, so much neglected or sc» imperfectly carried on, there is no crop the farmer grows to compare with grass in profit, since the failui-e of wheat and the low price induced by the present avalanche of wheat from the western prai- ries. Beef, mutton, and butter, have been and continue dear ; and cheese is so much dearer in pro- portion to every other farm product, that even some of our hundred acre farmers complain of its price, and say that they " can't afford to buy it any. more," — a precious though strange confession for a farmer to make, who can hardly keep down the grass among hio-oorn ! Only think of the pigs that may be grown on clover, sour milk, and whey ! How many of our larmers keep only a few cows. 206 THE GENESEE FARMER. and those of poor quality, and very few sheep. — When I hear a fanner say, " My cows are poor this spring, and don't make much butter," the spectacle of mouldy straw and no hay comes up before me ! How cruel to the poor bovine — how unprofitable to the farmer I — I got a letter the other day from a happy farmer, who, on his hundred acre farm, plows but from four to six acres ; I call him rich, because he is out of debt, and his wealth is in the unexhausted soil of his farm, no less than in the simplicity of his wants. He says that his farm is now richer and will bring larger cereal crops than it would thirty years ago. True, our hundred acre grain-growing farmers made money faster than this man twenty years ago, but it was done at the ex- pense of their soil, and where is their money now, and what is their laud ? Verily, they have eaten the calf in the cow's belly I How few men ycleped farmers, estimate the difference between their farms as they were and as they are. The New Yoek Distillery Cows. — Tliere is, as tlie Spaniards say, '■'■cosas cuidado''' enough in the confinement and ill-treatment of these cows, to warrant the present excitement against swill-milk, ■R-ithout arraigning the analysis of the slop. And the assertion that such milk will not make butter, is as untrue in practice as it is in theory ; we might as well say it would not fat beef or pork. The slop is certainly as rich in oil, phosphate of lime, and all the protein compounds, as hay or grass. It has lost nothing by distillation but the starch of the grain, which has gone to sugar, and then to alcohol. And this starch may be compensated for by small rations of good hay or grass. In proof of it, hun- dreds of cows were kept on still slop here, and in this vicmity, all last year and a part of the year before, and" they never gave more milk cr that made more butter. The fact that such milk does not coagulate as soon as other milk, is in its favor, at least for edible purposes in the cities and large tiSwns. But the most farcical charge is italicised in a New York daily, as one of the gravest., to wit; that the cows are never treated with fresh water ; ^ast as though a cow could be compelled to drink water when she could get slop. An Impeoved Tn.E MAcmxE. — There is a Tile Machine made at Latoueette's Foimdry, in this tillage, which moulds seven hundred tile an hour^ two horses are hitched to a sweep or wooden shaft, that turns the mill and presses out the clay through dies, five on a side. It Ls a cast iron machine, cost $270. One is now in operation at Union Springs, Cayuga county, and another at Penn Yan. Tile Good sells the Bad — Thereby giving no encouragement to fine wool growers or good butter makers; so says J. C, Adams, in the last Farmer. But all this is about being changed now ; for truth with its leaden heels has not failed to ovort^ake and overthrow rampant ■ error. Fine and well made butter now brings its price i in New York, while tliousands of mixed firkin butter sells for grease. The same with wool. " You are getting very par- ticular," said a farmer to a wool-sorter here the other day. " You used to give me nearly as much for coarse as for finer wool, and I got rid of my finest wooled sheep." The fact is that our Eastern wool-buyers, through their agents, liave, as Mr. A. asserts, taught the farmer bad tricks, which it will be for his interest now to abandon, as it will be a long time probably before wool-buyers will get crazy again. — In my last "Notes for the Month," I adverted to the lands on the central plateau of Long Island, advertised in the last Farmer for sale by Dr. Peck, at the very low price of $20 the acre. I have just received a letter from Dr. Peck, saying, in proof that said lands are not deteriorated by a sea-washed sub-soil, that fifteen years ago this tract of land was heavily timbered. He also demonstrated tliat no other tract of the earth's surface had been so thoroughly misrepresented and foully slandered, not only by tlie Long Island farmers generally, but by the grave historians of the Island, who could give no other reasons for their opinion than com- mon report. He now avers that the statements made in his advertisement cannot be controverted, and that the land in question needs no organic or mineral amendment, to enable it to bring even large crops of grass and grain, as late experiments have fully proved. Waievloo, N. T.. Jum, 1S53. GEASS CULTUKE. That " he is a benefactor of his race, who makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew be- fore," is very readily admitted, and yet how few are the farmers who make grass culture the direct object, — who give meadows and pastures the atten- tion they need— the attention which they would repay so profitably. The fact is, the grasses get little or no culture ; we sow only clover and timo- thy, (sometunes applying plaster to the latter,) which is about all the care given, or fertilizing ma- terial applied. We take from them, hoAvever, less scrupulously, hay and pasture, early and late, — de- manding much and bestowing little upon our ever- patient grass lands. The farmer — and our '■'■Farmer'''' — ought to give more attention to the subject. We lose much by spreading our grass over ticice the land it need to occiqnj. Culture and drainage would more than double the average yield of grass throughout the country. A knowledge of the characteristics and value of the different varieties which we should grow would be valuable, and this our '•'•Farmer''^ should give us, and urge the subject upon the at- tention of its readers. I would attempt the t,ask, myself, but I have grown only the two varieties named above, save as self-sown upon my meadows. As to clover — on all land suited to its production — it should be sown with every grain crop; and with me, its growth is more certain, as well as largely increased, by a top-dressing of plaster — one bushel per acre — as soon as it appears above ground. It succeeds best with winter wheat or rye, oats and barley having a thicker undergrowth of leaves. — Last season we sowed plaster on part of a meadow seeded to clover three years since, and now, of course, nearly all June grass and timothy, and Avere surprised to see a heavy growth of clover wherev'^ the plaster was applied. Manure-^well rotted is best — will not injure the yield of grass, if applied at almost any setison ; we would try it after harvest — spreading and harrow- ing, and putting on grass seed, if necessary. Bro- ther farmers, give us your views on grasi cuUv/re. B. F. THE GENESEE FAEMER. 207 APPLYING AETIFICIAL MAMURE TO COKN. Editors Genesee FAEiosR :— I was much inter- ested in the account of your corn experiments ; but in reference to some of tlie manures at least, I do not tliink they were rightly appUed to get at the truth of their comparative value. In putting the rnimure in the hill, we may do good or we may do injury. We may do good in a cold, heavy soil, by an application in the hill of any manure that will give an extra early s;:art to the corn, thus enabling the sod to bring out a large crop to maturity before frost; yet that stimulation in the first start would not prove the real strength or value of the manure. Then in the application of such manures in the hill, tlie roots at the first start get a large portion of it| but very soon the roots run far away from the ma- nure,—leaving, mayhap, the most of the strength (rf the manure to some other purpose than bringing out a corn crop : so we fail again to prove the real sti-ength or value of the manure. Then in a light, sandy soil, we may do injury by starting the corn too fast, so that the soil is not able to keep up the rapid growth ; it then, as formers sav, scalds, turn- ing' yellow around the bottom, very likely as high up as the ears : the consequence is the crop is worse than it would have been witliout manure. This case would be a very unsatisfoctory proof tliat the manure, in itself considered, was worse than noth- mg\ It would only prove want of proper applica- tion. ^^ But my present intention was to give my mode —and I thmk it a very good one— of applying arti- ficial manures on light or sandy soils. First plant your corn as usual, then, as soon as it is large ^ough to see the row weU, start the plow in it, throwing the soil from the hi'l, and going as near as possible to the corn without disturbmg it. This IS our mode of tending corn in this section, .without any reference to applying manure, and is a very good one. The ground has a fair chance to get warm at the roots of the corn, which is much ad- vantage, especially on heavy soils : you can begin much earlier, so as to keep grass and weeds down. J hen on light, sandy soils, the roots are thrown down deeper, running under this furrow, so tliat when hot burning sims come the roots do not lie near tlie surface of the ground to burn up, neither are they so much destroyed by the plow in afl experience in being hurried away into haying and harvest before finishing the hoeing of the wholt crop. Had we hired it done, at two dollors per day, we should have made money in the ii'crea.*ed protluct, as shown by the clean cultured over the viiiiAj part. And what farmer cannot look back and se^3 when he "missed it," in not being more thorough, even though it seemed as if he "coiOdn't afford it," at the time? _ Let us urge the matter stiU. A few days mftn- tshinff vp the culture of our hoed crops — wMch 08 THE GENESEE FARMER. should all be done by the time they get one quarter of their growth — is of va^t importance in securing a well-ripened and heavy yield, and should by no means be omitted. We must not fail here, for these are important crops, and midsummer is the pinch with them as regards their value,— especially corn, which the frost hardly gives time to ripen, when the planting season is delayed as of late years. Kiagara Co., N. Y. ''• CULTIVATION OF THE SWEET POTATO. Editoes Genesee Faemer :— In the April num- ber of your valuable journal, you state that yoii " have received frequent inquiries as to the feasi- bility of the sweet potato being cultivated in your vicinity." To this inquiry I will give the answer, positively and affirmatively, that, by pursumg a proper course, they can be raised in the greatest perfection in any part of your State, and, in my opinion, even in a much higher degree of north latitude. To this seemingly dogmatical opinion I have arrived as the result of an experience of my own; and with a wish to contribute something that may add to the general comfort of man, I here give it, as follows : At the time I commenced house-keeping, my place of residence was Asheville, Buncomb county, jSf. 0.— a high, cold country, west of the Blue ridge, and 4,500 feet above the level of the Atlantic. The first successful attempt to raise the sweet potato in this county was made by Dr. Swain, a gentleman from Massachusetts. This he did by means of hot- beds ; and the mode is now generally understood and practiced. The 1st of June, the Dr. informed me that, ha\ing made his hot-bed unnecessarily large, and after taking all the plants from it that his grounds required, there was a large portion of his bed from which he had taken no plants, and if I wished to plant, I could there get thousands. On examining the bed, I found it covered with a dense mass of vmes, of all lengths, from fifteen inches down. I considered them too large for transplant- ing, and should have given the subject up had I not had my hills made— round hills. A bright idea flashed upon my mind, and I concluded to let the idea develop into an experiment. It was this : I tad all my hills truncated, taking them off about half way between the apex and the ground. I then procured a hand barrow and a broad shovel, and after digging away the earth from one side of the hot-bed°uutil I got completely below the stratum of soil in which the potatoes were imbedded, and sufficiently deep to be below all the roots and fibres, I ran the blade of the shovel in horizontally ;and took up the whole mass — vines, potatoes, roots, and all, — in doing which I was compelled to divide the mass into convenient sections, so as to get it upon the barrow. This I transferred with great cai-e, so as to separate as little soil from the young roots as possible, and, having plenty of material, I divided the bed into sections to correspond as near :as possible with the size of the truncated hills, and thus restored to them tops, containing the earth of the hot-bed, which was about ten inches thick, and in this the parent potato, the vine, and young roots. I then scraped the earth up round the hill where the two sections joined, gave them a copious water- ing, and, to use an expression of a young man who lived with me at the time, they seemed never to know that they had been removed from the doctor's garden. By the last of August they were fully grown, and larger potatoes, or of a better quality, I have never seen in eitlier South Carolina or Georgia. They were of the ridged Spanish variety. _ The soil they grew in was sandy loam, enlivened with wood ashes. The secret of my success is this. Plants taken from a hot-bed, remain stationary for fifteen days after being set out, and after that advance slowly ; whereas, my plants grew all the time, and kept a week ahead of Dr. Swain's, up to the time of ma- turity. SILAS m'dowell. Franl-lin, Jf. C, May 20, 1858. STIRIIING THE SOIL AND TUENING MANUEK I AM surprised that Mr. Johnston should have so misunderstood my remarks on the subject above named, as he appears to have done by his com- ments. When I said that farmers generally plow too much, or stir the soil too much, I had reference to the extent of surface gone over, not to any ex- cess of cultivation in preparing land for a crop. — According to the last census, the farmers of New- York plow, harrow, plant and hoe an average of about five acres to raise one hundred bushels of corn ; while the writer believes that it would bo better economy to grow a hundred bushels of corn on an average of two acres, and thus save three- fifths of all the land planted in corn, in a great State, for other agricultural purposes. As most farmers know that a heap of manure grows smaller by being frequently turned over, especially when exposed to rains and sunshine, as is the vegetable mold in a corn-field, I referred to such treatment of manure to illustrate the certain loss of organic matter in a soil by cultivating five acres to obtain crops which ought to grow on two acres. My idea is, that farmers not only lose much honest, hard work, by going over too much land with the im- plements of tillage, to obtain the crops harvested, but that the practice tends to consume and waste all the elements of fertility in the soil. Ground that has but few and feeble plants, whose rootlets fill not a tenth part of the stirred earth, loses the largest per cent, of the constituents of crops, as compared with the harvest. A gallon of milk a day will raise a fine pig ; but dilute this gallon of milk in a hogshead of water, and whether you give a gallon of this milk-and water, or force through the pig the whole of the dilution, he must be a lean hog at last, and most of your milk will have been wasted. Fvely upon it, thoughtful reader, most of us render the food of plants too diluted in the earth we stir with the plow; and at the same time I would caution you that it is quite as easy to run into the opposite extreme, as do a few farmers in England, who over-feed alike their live stock and growing crops. ^' '^^^• To Pbotect Ctjcttjibees and Melons feom tmb Steiped Bttg.— Take a small piece of paper, put it on the ground in the centre of your hills, and lay a small stone on each corner to keep it fast ; then put on it two or three pieces of gum camphor as large as a pea. Renew the camphor when it is gone, and I will ensure the plants against injury from th« bug. J. T. Sergeant.— »Sani BrooJc, If. J. THE GENESEE FARMER. 209 SEEDING COKN FIELDS TO GRASS. Editohs Genesee Farmer : — Perhaps an account of the method of seeding corn fields to grass, as practised in New England, may be of interest to your readers. I find the first mentioned instance in the statement of Mr. "Wood, of Middlesex, to the Oo. Agricultural Society, as given in the "Ag- riculture of Massachusetts," for 1854. The soil is principally light pine plain land, and had been "cropped to death with rye." To get pasturage that should be productive, Mr. Wood plowed field. after field, planting to corn for one or two years, with manure, and then seeding to grass while the corn was still growing on the ground. — He plowed from seven to eleven inches, according to the nature of the ground, wishing gradually to deepen the soil. To enrich it, he gave from twenty- five to thu-ty loads of compost manure per acre, plowing it in with a shallow furrow on inverted sod, and hill-manuring with a small quantity of guano and plaster, or hen manure, ashes and loam. The crop was hoed level twice, and then six quarts of herdsgrass, one peck of redtop, and five pounds of clover seed were sown per acre. It was again hoed to cover the seed, and then "laid by" for the season. In this way, for five years, he has aver- aged forty bushels of sound corn per acre. If the grass fails in part, he scatters more seed in spring and brushes it in, and has laid down nearly all his high land in this way, because of the saving of labor. His meadows are on his low land, and keep- ing cows for selling milk is the principal business of the fttrm. Another farmer, whose statement we find in the New England Farmer for May, followed the above plan, nearly, — though, perhaps, taking more pains in tlie preparation of his ground, — but the season being hot and dry, the grass seed was an entire failure. His ground being clean and smooth, he did not like to plow up again without another\rial, so when the ground froze enough to hold the stumps of the corn-stalks firmly, he took a sharp hoe and cut them off even with the surface of the ground, raked off the rubbish, and sowed half a bushel of herdsgrass and a bushel of redtop seed on the acre. " The next spring," he says, " as soon as the weather became warm enough, the grass came up beautifully over the whole piece. The summer was wet and warm, and I cut more than a ton and a half, per acre, for the first crop. In 1856 and 1857, 1 had three tons per acre, each year, and rowen enough to make the whole amount, in the two years, not much short of seven and a half tons." This, and several other experiments, convinced the writer last mentioned, that late fall seeding — so late that the seed would have no chance to vegetate till sirring — was the best method of getting land to grass for meadow or pasture. Equally important to successful culture is thorough preparation by till- age and manuring, plenty of grass seed, and oppor- tunity to grow without feeding or mowing too se- verely. A YOUNG FARMER. COSN GSUBS. Editors Genesee Farmer: — Our weafher con- tinues very wet here, and in all other places I hear from. Corn, I think, is all i:)lanted hereabout, and what the grubs have left is growing ; but they are making sad havoc in some fields. A neighbor who had nearly thirty acres planted, has been planting it over for some days past. Grubs (grey) are in immense numbers. He left three bags in the field, night before last, with a little soaked corn in each, and yesterday morning 200 grubs were found in the three bags, among the corn. This beats all I ever heard of about grubs. Seventy-two of the largest grubs I ever saw, were taken out of one bag. What is very singular, they don't cut off the corn above the ground, like the grubs we have been accustomed to, but cut the roots below the seed. Can it be a new kind? Do you know of anything that resembles it? The old-fashioned grub has cut off a little of mine above groimd, but the like of those which destroy my neighbor's, I never saw. If the agricultural papers don't inform us how to destroy grubs and worms, we must stop them ; for if we ai-e to have all our crops destroyed in this way, we will have nothing to pay with. One of my neighbor's fields was old pasture land, the other had been only one year in clover, and both were damaged about alike. Mine was old pasture, and only a little, so far, has been cut off above the ground. My neighbor's grubs (if grubs they are) are much larger than mine, but otherwise appar- ently alike. I advised him to take all the bags he had, put soaked corn in them, and lay them over his fields, and possibly he might have a few thou- sand bagged this morning. Our wheat harvest will not be so early as we ex- pected. Should the weather set in dry, we may have wheat hardest about the 14th of next month; stUl, we may not till 18th or 20th. Near Geneva, N. Y., June 10, 1858. JOHN JOHNSTON. Harrowing Turnips. — Where turnips are sown broadcast, they may be safely harrowed when the seed leaf is coming out. This will check the weeds, thin the turnips, and yet leave plenty in the ground for a crop. J. N. — Nassywega^ G. W. Cure for Bots in Horses. — Take a tablespoon full and a little heaped of alum and the same quan- tity of copperas, pulverise them fine and put them into a pint of vinegar. Pour it down the horse's throat. It wUl generally afford relief in five or ten minutes. In 1813, 1 had a horse very badly afflicted for three days, with bots — lying down, rolling, re- fusing to eat, biting his sides, and giving all similar proofs of bots. I tried turpentine, beef brine, sweetened warm milk, and many other prescrip- tions of neighbors, for three days, to no purpose. At length, an Englishman coming along gave me the above prescription, saying he had seen it used in England with perfect success. In ten minutes after the dose was administered, the horse got up and was well, showing no more symptoms of bots. I have used the same medicine ever since, for my- self and neighbors — propably in fifty cases in all — and it has always afforded as quick relief. A trav- eler once had his horse fall in the snow, near my house, and refuse to get up — evidently afflicted with bots. In about five minutes after administer- ing the above medicine he got up of his own accord, appeared to be perfectly weU, and cheerfully pur^- sued his journey. It is said one. drop of this pre- paration placed upon a bot, will kill it at once. J. F. Bliss. — Churchville, K Y. 210 THE GENESEE FARMER. ADVANTAGES OF MOWING MACHINES-ONCE MOKE- Editors Genesee Faemer: — It appears that the difficulty of answering some statements of facts made by me in a late number of the Farmer^ wliile revising the calculations of Mi*. Street, of Ohio, on the subject of mowing by machinery, has been shifted "from that place to the half-rural, lialf-citi- Sed district near Geneva, and Mr. John Johnston, 'jf that place — the highly respectable and at many times influential contributor to the Genesee Farmer — has been encouraged by his friends and neighbors to write out an article, in reply to mine correcting the machine calculations of his friend in Ohio. I think that Mr. J. is usually a very good correspond- ent for any paper, and we have all known him to write cleverly at times on the subject of Agricul- ture, and can hardly account for the variation so noticeable in his communication that is now receiv- ing a little attention. But said an old lady once, Tv'hen she was asked how in the world it happened that she would sometimes take up and argue the case for those she knew were so clearly out of the way, '' Why, bless you all, don't you know that I once in a while say and do silly things myself^ and then I want somebody to take my part!" "Were it necessary to adduce any further argu- ment to show the impropriety of bringing into general use the mowing machine as a saver of labor or money, in the State of New York, I should be scarcely willing to again trespass upon your time and space, and since Mr. J. rests their side so easily, we will — as the lawyers sometimes say — submit ours without any argument also. AVe are right glad that the good cause of temperance has prospei-ed s»D well out "near Geneva," and just as soon as that has worked out a sufficient reformation, we are greatly in hopes that the right means will be used to bring Mr. J. and his kind neighbors entirely " out of the woods" in regard to the way in which they should labor with their hands, and not, as soon as they have been saved from the practice of squan- dering their money for one useless thing, go to " "-ing it away for another — getting a mowing machine, and then go about talking " long and loud" again, while their poor horses stay at home, doing all the work. And finally, if our much esteemed friend from near the smooth waters of Seneca Lake does not ^t better in his mind soon, in regard to the educa- tional privileges and general advantages enjoyed by tlie farmers of Chenango county, let him come ou't tliis way with his Ohio friend, when he comes along to admire the way we make the hay in Old Che- nango. Yes, come on, gentlemen, and take a little benefit in the society of those who are content to get along in the somewhat slow but sure way, and you will find that we are not far behind the times, especially if it should be yom- good fortune to drop into one of our snug farm-houses at the end of the season, when the hay and harvest are gathered in, with all useful farming implements generally — ex- cepting here and there a mowing machine, as usual, left out and sticking up through the top of some snow-drift. But within our gates you will find much of contentment and prosperity, where we have an abundance of fine sleek animals and gene- ral plenty without, and — most of us — tolerable comely wives, with quite a sprinkling of fat babies, within doors. And for the pai-t that makes us talk "long and loud," — if we do so at all — we usually keep in our cellars, for winter use, a few barrels ot our excellent cider, — good enough to make our friends wish their necks almost as long again when they have the good luck to drink a little of it. And lastly, we are confident that the man who lives nearest to, and best complies with the golden rule, drawn from the high decree of an all-wise Providence, " In the sweat of thy face shalt thou cat thy bread," — the mandate that has transformed our roUiug sphere into a world of industry and dil- igence— is on the safest side, and will succeed the best through life, though our friend Jojinston may write ever so much against him and his industrious habits, even if he is put up to it by every soul in his whole neighborhood — no matter how much they may have been benefitted by the machine reformation, and no matter how great the necessity for such a reformation may have been. 0:rford, Clienango Co., N. Y. E. A. BUNDT. Editors Genesee Farmer : — I had quite a long letter penned in reply to Mr. Bundy's remarks on labor-saving machines, " mowing machines in par- ticular," when the May No. of the Genesee Farmer came to liand. Mr. Johnston very properly han- dles those remarks and their author without gloves, since which very little more appears necessary. — That any farmer should, at present, entertain opin- ions so much opposed to the interests of the agri- cultural community, is truly surprising. Mr. B. asserts, indirectly, that labor-saving machines exert a demoralizing influence. His sj'stera of reasoning would set us back on a level with the red man who once hunted in our forests for his sustenance. It would obliterate at a stroke all the improvements of the present age. It would hush forever tlie hiss- ing of that mighty agent, steam, and leave dormant and undeveloped all the inventive genius which God has given to man, for the purpose of amelior- ating his condition. But does labor-saving ma- chinery exert a demoralizing influence? Should some person, by the aid of his pen, make an im- proper use of a neighbor's name, would Mr. B. conclude that his knowledge of penmanship was the cause of his committing forgery? Certainly not. It would be more rational to conclude thait his principles were already corrupt, and developed themselves through his knowledge of penmanship. Hence, if Mr. B.'s neighbors are prone to idleness and given to drink, let him improve their condition by enlightening them, — after which an agency for the sale of mowing machines in his district will b6 profitable. m. gahnsey. Middleburgh, K. T., May, 1858. Remaeks. — "We are sorry our esteemed corres pondents, in this discussion, have wandered from the point. The temperance question has nothing to do with the mowing machine question. If it is cheaper to cut grass or grain by machinety than by hand — as we believe it is — let us have the/acis ; and if it is not — as Mr. Bundt contends — let him "ive the reason for the faith that is in him. Eds. How TO sow Grass Seed. — We wet our grain, and then stir the grass seed into it. Sow Avhile wet. It Avill sow more even in this way than iti any other that we ever tried, h. THE GENESEE FAKMER. 211 aiANAGEMENT OF BEES. The hive should be made of sound boards, free from shakes or cracks, and planed smooth outside and in, made in a -n-orkmanhke manner, and paint- ed white on its outside ; it should be made tight in the joints, so as to exclude the light and air. The lower apartment, where the bees store their food, rear their young, and perform their ordinary labor, should hold about as much as a box 13 or 14 inches square, or a bushel. If the hive is much larger, the bees will never swarm, and will not be likely to .fill up the drawers in several years. The back side of the hive should slant forward of the lower apart- ment, so as to render the same smallest at the bot- tom, the better to secure the combs from falling when cracked by frost or nearly melted by heat. The bee-owner should have his hives in readiness in the apiary, with the boxes bottom upwards to prevent entrance when hiving ; when a swarm has oome forth and alighted, saw off the limb, (unless the hiver is used,) shake it gently over the table so as to disengage them; place the hive over them, taking care to lay one or more sticks under the hive, before many rise in the air. If they will not enter, invert the hive and brush them in carefully with a quill; place them in the bee-house and keep the hive well ventilated. To prevent robberies, the moment it is discovered that robbers are within or about the hive, close the bottom board nearly, so as to prevent entrance but let in air ; open at night to let the robbers go, and close early next morning. The apiarist shoidd beware of the moth, which enters the hive generally by night, and locates itself in a kind of glue or cement which the bees use to stop up cracks, lays its eggs, which soon hatch into a maggot, and if the hive is not well guarded by the beos, will destroy the whole colony. All hives should be weighed and marked before used, and by their weight in the fall the apiarist can tell how much they lack to sustain them the coming winter, or how much to take away. If they need feeding, place some comb and strained honey on the bottom board. STorUi Boston, Ei-ie Co., m T. B. F. BOTVEN. EASMING IN TEXAS-A HAPPY EDITOR. Geo. W. Kendall, one of the proprietors of the New Orleans Picayune., owns large estates in Texas. Writing to a friend in Boston, he des- dribes his mode of life, as follows : " You may, perhaps, wish to learn the mode and manner of my life hareaways ; let me enlighten you. Three days in the weak I ordinarily pass at my rancho here, three or four miles fi'om New Braun- fels, with my family ; two days I spend at the Estancia. a place of mine, thirty miles Avest, and where my flock of sheep are pastured ; and the other two days I am on the road, backwards and forwards, my conveyance an old Jersey wagon, with two trusty horses. There is one gap of eight miles on the road without a house, and another of twelve; yet the way is not lonesome. I never pass over it without seeing an abundance of deer, turkeys, ducks, partridges and the like; I carry alongside of me a double barrel gun, a Sharpe's rifle and one of Colt's revolvers, and some kind of game is sure to grace my wagon, both gomg and coming. My sheep now number some 3000, and finer flocks you never set eyes upon. In May, I hope to be able to count upwards of 4000, as my lambs come in April. I have, besides, a fine gang of brood mares, besides some forty cow^s, and like the elder Mr. Norval, ' to feed my flock and in- crease my store ' is now ' my constant care.' Did I not once tell you that I had much rather see my lambs skipping upon the hills and playing in the valley than to witness the pirouettes and entrechats of the best corps de ballet that ever existed? I have seen a good deal in my day, Jim — the world, the elephant, etc. — but never saw anything which aftbrded so much real enjoyment as my flock, when doing well. And since I have been here on tlie spot in person, now nearly two years, I have had extraordinary good luck ; I have not lost two per cent, of my sheep per annum, and when I tell you that 20 per cent, is the average loss the world over, yon may well imagine that my success is remarkable. " I never sell a ewe or anything which produces. I have pasturage for 20,000 sheep, and any number of horses and cattle ; and to see all this space cov- ered is now what I am working for. I don't bother my mind a moment about Kansas,, or Brigham Young, or politics of any kind— don't care who is President — fear God and hate the Indians— try to keep my feet warm and head cool — and smoke my pipe in peace with all mankind. " Here, notwithstanding we occasionally have a cold and blustering norther, our climate is delicious. I am now writing on this 1st January, A. D. 1858, sitting in my shirt sleeves, doors and windows wide open, no fire, and robms and other summer birds singing in the green live oaks of my yard. Think of that, all mufiied up as you are, and weep. And then here among the mountams we have no fevers, no chills, no consumptions, no sickness of any kind. There's balm in Texas." ■ — — ^« ■ TO KEEP TIEES TIGHT ON WHEELS. Messes. Editors : —I desire to ask room for the following, which I believe to be an excellent sugges- tion, and that the mechanic who shall take the in- itiative in the matter, will be sure to find his reward in the greater call for his work. D. — Gates. I wish to communicate to the public a method by which tires on wheel carriages may be kept tight. I ironed a wagon some years ago, for my own use, and before putting on the tires, I filled the felloos with linseed oil; and the tires have worn out and were never loose. I ironed a buggy for my own use, seven years ago, and the tires are now as tight as when put on. My method of filling the felloes with oil is as follows : I use a long cast iron oil heater, made for the purpose, the oil is brought to a boiling heat, the wheel is placed on a slick, so as to hang in the oil, each felloe one hour, for a common sized felloe. The timber should be dry, as green timber will not take oil. Care should be taken that the oil be made no hotter than a boiling heat, in order that the timber be not burnt. Timber filled with oil is not suscepti- ble of water, and the timber is much more durable. I was amused, some time ago, when I told a black- smith how to keep tires tight on wheels, by his tell- ing me, it was a profitable business to tighten tires, and the wagon maker will say, it is profitable to him to make and repair wheels— but, what will the farmer, who supports the wheelright and smith, say "i—Cor. Southern Planter. 212 THE GENESEE FARMER. €uiu$t^ iuwm |ri?^e (£smp. ADORNING AND BEAUTIFYING FAKMERS' HOMES.* " Should Farmers adorn and beautify their Homes and Farms before ihey become wealthy? and if so, how may it be done in the easiestmanner?" Evert fanner who owns the land npon which he resides — every man who owns a house and garden, should strive to make it as beautiful as possible. It can not be expected that the man of small means can procure the expensive adornments of the rich : his house may be small and plain, but he can beau- tify and adorn it, nevertheless. I say he can make his home beautiful and attractive, even if he is poor, and I will state the reason why I think he should endeavor to make his home beautiful, and adorn it as much as possible. When I think of the many reasons why farmers should adorn their homes, I almost wonder that every farmer should not see the necessity of having a pleasant, attractive home. The moral influence of an attractive and beautiful home is great, both upon old and young. It tends to make them love the pure and beautiful, wherever it may be found. Nothing wUl banish vicious thoughts and feelings from the mind, sooner than to be surrounded by what is attractive and lovely. I have never known but few instances where victims of crime had been favored with pleasant homes, either in childhood or manhood : every thing rough and unattractive, makes the man the same. But few persons ever leave a pleasant home, for the tavern or dram-shop. Notice when you will, the first signs of reform in bad men are usually the adorning of their homes. Nothing shows the refinement of the farmer more than the adorning of his home ; it shows his good taste, and that he is desirous of making all around pleasant and comfortable. Beautiful and attractive homes tend to increase all the good qualities of the occupants, and remove the bad. Beauty and love- liness in nature tend to all that is noble in thought and deed, and make mankind better, both as con- cerns their own happiness and that of others. Having shown why farmers should adorn their homes, I will tell how to do it the easiest. If your house is poor and plain, it makes no dif- ference ; if you can not afford to build a new one, adorn the surroundings of the old one. In odd spells build a neat yard, — it will cost almost noth- ing ; set out some pretty trees in front and surround the house with them if possible. Fill the yard with flowers ; they will cost nothing but the trouble of getting, unless rare varieties are procured, and your * Tour committee have read with a great deal of interest, the Beventeen essays on this subject of Farmers' Homes. The task of assigning to any one of them the precedence over all the oth- ers, (when not one of the number is without decided merit,) is by no means an easy one. Between nine of the seventeen, our choice was some time quite evenly balanced, and was finally de- cided by the brevity of the essay from "E. B." No task would be more plea sant to us, than to select sentences from each of the essays, and combine them into one capital arti- cle. We are sure it would be richly worth not only the perusal but the repeated attention of your readers. The writers of many of these essays show an aptitude with the pen, and a readiness of thought, which evincee talent that ought by no means to be allowed to remain idle or hidden in a napkin. Yery respectfully, C. P BISSELL, Chairman. wife and children wiU see to the cultivation — never fear for that. Build a wood-house, if you have not one already. Don't deface your door-yard Avith wood-piles, old rails, sleds, cart-wheels, and other rubbish ; remove the hog-pen from its conspicuous position near the roadside to the rear of the house, and build a neat frame structure instead of sticks and slabs — 'twill pay for itself in a few years. Have good neat fences, they look and are much bet- ter. Remove all sticks, stones and stumps from the fields. Build good barns and sheds, if not already built ; they will pay for themselves, and look better than the unsightly objects on many a farm. Don't allow loose boards on your buildings ; they are very unsightly. Have good yards around your farm buildings. They add greatly to the beauty of the premises. And above all, have the best books of the day, where yourself and family can gain in- struction in their leisure hours ; and take at least one good agricultural paper. Strive to make your home, farm, and family, a pattern one, — and in no way can it be done so effectually and easily, as by adorning it externally as well as internally, e. b. THE DUTY OF KINDNESS TO DOMESHC ANIMALS. While kindness to animals is an acknowledged duty, there are few who do not sometimes, in mo- ments of anger, forget these obligations. If there is anything which wiU convince us of the folly of so doing, it must be a view of those cases (unhap- pily not very rare) in which cruelty is the rule, in- stead of the exception. An acquaintance of mine, who keeps but one horse, has had within a dozen years, I should think, upwards of half a;^ozen different horses, each of which has in turn become so completely worn out or so vicious as to become almost worthless. They have been driven almost constantly, hitched to loads whicli they could not possibly draw, and then abused because they could not draw them. In this way, spirited horses were soon rendered ungovern- able, and those which would yield to such treat- ment were soon utterly broken down. Another acquaintance had a very valuable mttire, which was accidentally injured. By neglect she became poor and weak, and finally was so much reduced that she could not rise upon her feet. In this condition, rather than to liave her die in his hands, the owner traded her away, getting scarcely a consideration for her, — when, upon being prop- erly cared for, she began immediately to recover. Now, to say nothing of the cruelty of the thing, it is plain that both of these individuals suffered a pecuniary loss by their unkindness. The former, by good keeping, fair loading, and kind treatment generally, might have performed nearly, perhaps quite as much work with one good horse as he did with six — saving the purchase money of five; the other might, by a httle careful nursing, have saved several hundred dollars upon one animal. Those animals which are treated the most kindly are the most gentle and obedient, and also thrive the best ; hence, no one can afford to use them un- kindly. By kindness, mingled with firmness, the most ferocious animals are subdued, and it is vain to suppose that the same means would not be effect- ual in training domestic animals. Surely, no one should degrade himself by continuing a practice which is both unprofitable and inhuman. l. h. THE GENESEE FARMER. 21S STOCK FOR A HTJNDEED ACRE FAEM.^ "How much Stock and what kinds are desirable on One Hun- -dred Acres, including Timber Lot, managed in llie usual way of Grain-Growing aud Stock-Kaising combined?" The science of Agriculture is very similar to the science of Medicine. It is necessaxy for the phy- sician to understand the temperament and constitu- tion of the patient, as well as the nature of the disease, in order to prescribe beneficially ; so, in order to tell accurately what kinds of stock and how much are desirable and profitable on a farm of one hundred acres, it would be very necessary first to know the nature and capacity of the soil. It depends on all these circumstances, as well as the locality and the number in the family, or, in other words, the amount of labor to be laid out on the farm. It is an undisputed fact, that one hundred a.cres of land in some sections and localities, will produce double the quantity of hay and grain that one hundred acres will in other sections. As a general rule, there ought to be kept on all farms, of whatever size, sufilcient stock to consume all the fodder raised on the farm, in order to retain the manure ; for if you starve your farm, very soon your farm will starve you. The first and most necessary of all stock is a good team. One good substantial pair of work horses, with economical management, will do all the neces- sary work on a hundred acre farm. The next most necessary and profitable stock are the cows. Now the number of cows most profitable on a hundred acre farm, would depend on the number of females in the family; for to be under the necessity of hiring and boarding an extra female domestic, in order to add a few cows to a dairy, would be nei- ther desirable nor profitable. Therefore, I think six good cows and fifty good breeding ewes the most profitable stock that can be kept on a hun- dred acre farm. If the forage of the farm will more than keep weU the above named stock, add a sufilcient munber of young cattle. The profit of the stock to be kept on any farm depends very much on the location aud nature of the soil. If the location of the farm is such that the milk from the dairy can be sold readily by the quart, undoubtedly all the cows the farm could support would be the most profitable stock that could be kept. On the other hand, if the farm lay remote from market, where female help is scarce and difficult to be hired, it would be best to keep sheep and growing young cattle, and only so many cows as were necessary to make the butter and cheese for the use of the family. Grem liitier, May, 185S. J. M. VARNEY. One hundred acres, properly divided, will con- tain twenty-five acres each, of meadow, plow land, pasture, and wood land. The twenty-five acres of meadow, if in decent condition, will cut forty tons of hay at least ; and the twenty -five acres of pas- ture would keep ax least twenty head of cattle, or should be made so that they will. The twenty-five acres of plow land will be suflScient, when other things are connected with grain-growing. The twenty-five acres of wood land some might think too much ; but I think not, all things considered. Now let us see what stock, and how much, we can keep on the farm divided as above. 1. Every farmer who owns one hundred acres of land should have a good pair of horses, to do the necessary road traveling, and assist in the labors of the farm. 2. A good pair of oxen, as there is much work on a farm that is best performed by an ox-team, and it is quite convenient, when oxen are high, to have a pair to turn oft". 3. At least ten sheep should be kept, to su})ply the family with wool and mutton; and they will, besides, be quite an article of profit to the owner. 4. Keep at least eight cows, to sup- ply the family of the farmer with milk, butter, cheese, &c., and to raise calves to take the places of the older cows and oxen that will be sold ; the sour milk, whey, &c., will raise the uecessaay num- ber of hogs for family use, and possibly some to sell ; and besides what butter, miUv, &c., the family will use, and what milk is fed to the young calves, there will be considerable butter or cheese for sale. 5. Young stock, as calves, yearlings, &c., as can be kept besides the other stock, and not have to buy hay. Young stock, if well kept and cared for, are profitable ; they should be both steers and heifers, to supply the place of what may be sold, and every farmer who owns as much as one hundred acres should calculate to have some cows and a yoke of oxen to sell, every year, with younger ones to fill their places, of his own raising. 6. As many hogs as can be kept on the milk and slops of the dairy, and can be fattened without buying materials: four or more could be easily kept and fattened. In my opinion, stock-raising and grain-growing are the chief means for money-making with the farmer, and he should so manage as to have at all times something to sell : when cattle are high, some to sell, with more of his own to take their places, — not sell and buy again, for it reduces the profits ; when grain or pork is high, some ready for market, — and farming will be found profitable. b. BUILDINGS AND FIXTTJEES FOR A FARM OF ONE HUNDRED ACRES. * Only two Essays have been received on this importaot sub- ject The committee are unable to determine which is best, and award a premium to each of them. The subject requires fltill "fortber discussion. " What Buildings and Fixtures are required for farming, profit- ably, one hundred acres, including timber lot, managed in Ibe usual way of grain-growing and stock-raising combined?" There is required a pleasant and commodious dwelling, with parlor, dining-room, sleeping-rooms, closets, kitchen, cheese-room, pantiy, wood-house, cellar, cistern, and well, — all constructed in accord- ance with the best improved taste and judgment of the proprietor. Also, a barn 42 by 52 feet, elevated two feet from the ground on tlie upper side, having on one side of the barn floor stalls for horses, each 4J- by 14 feet; an apartment joining, for a cistern, at the further end of the stalls, 6 by 14 feet ; and joining that, a granary, 10 by 14 feet; on the oppo- site side of the floor, a corn-crib, 14 by 20 feet; a mow for hay, 14 by 32 feet, and hay or Hungarian grass on the scalfolds ; and a floor 14 feet in width. The horses should stand on a ground floor, on the upper side of the barn. Tlie earth that is taken out for a cistern should be used for that purpose, and be covered with an abundance of sand to with- in a foot of the sills of the barn. The floor of the granary need be only one foot and a half from the ground, and may be let down below the sills of the 214 THE GENESEE FARMER. barn to that depth. There may be under-sills, resting on shoulders in the underpinning, to lay the floor of the granary on. The floor should be made of oak plank, two inches in thickness, and the granary lined up to the sills of the barn with simi- lar plank, to keep rats from intruding. The corn- crib, on the opposite side of the barn floor, may be made in a similar manner. If the corn is not sufii- ci^>ntly dry to keep well in so deep a crib, dry rails should be laid along, occasionally, through the mid- dle of it, for ventilators. But what woidd answer for cribbing corn in Illinois, might be ruinous in the State of New York. A wagon and carriage house may be m.ade on the upper side of the barn ; and there should be a build- ing for a hog-house, some SO feet by 16, with a corn-crib and hen-house over the two rooms for hogs— thera being free access from their feeding- room into a small adjoining yard. Perhaps as good a shelter for calves as any other, is a rick of straw suitably built in a yai'd for them — being brined, from time to time, around, near, and at, the bottom of it. Sheep can find a comfort- able shelter undei" the floor of the barn. Meiamora, III. B; C. W. TOOLS AITD IMPLEMENTS FOR A 100 ACEE FARM, " What Tools .^nd Implements are necessary to farm it proflta- bty on one hundred acres, including Timber Lot, managed in the usual way of Grain-Growing and Stock-Saising combined?" There would be wanted 1 two-horse scouring plow, 1 one-horse scouring plow, 1 one-horse three- shovel scouring plow, 1 harrow, 1 spade, 1 barn- shovel, 1 wheel-barrow, 1 dung-fork, 2 pitch-forks, 2 hoes,. 1 wagon, 1 two-horse reaper and mower combined, 1 horse-rake, 1 coru-sheUer, 1 of the little cast iron grist-mills, provided they are found to be durable and to do good business, 2 sets of harness, 1 saddle, and 1 carriage. The best and most profitable way of planting corn that I have noticed, is to drop with the hand and cover with the hoe. When thus planted, it comes up enough better to more tlian pay for the extra trouble. No person can raise grain cheaper, by cutting and threshing it with machinery ; but the same help can grow much more with it than without it. Meto/mora, Illinois. B. C. W. RAISING AND PICKING GEESE. "When the good motherly goose wishes to set^ give her eleven eggs, and shut her away from othei- geese and ganders. Supply her with food and water — give her gi-ass as well as corn, if the for- mer is suflicieutly grown for gathering. In four- weeks the young goslings will begin to appear, and: will aU hatch in a day or two's time. Don't hurry theiii from the nest, nor be over-anxious to have- them eating ; they -u-ill be ready for that when they become older. Feed them a httle bread and milk at first — corn meal does not seem to agree "witli them as well. Let them go to grass and water in pleasant days. A shallow vessel, which they can get in and out of readily, supplied frequently with clean water, is as good as any, so fai" as raising geese is concerned, though it is less trouble if one has the pond for them. Be sure and shut them up at night, in a warm, dry place, and keep them there until the dew is ofl, in cold mornings. Shut them up- on cold stormy days, a&o, feedmg them with hand- fuls of fresh clover. If no accident befals them, them will live and grow, without trouble. There is no machme for picking geese, that e\&t I heard of; the thumb and finger must do that work. The time to do it is when the feathers are I'ijje^ which occurs abo^at four times during the sea- son. Feathers picked when green — in the pin- teather state — ai"e not fit to put into abed; they can not be cured so as to be as light and sweet as- ripe feathers are. "When picked, put the feathers in a sack made of thin cioth — an old sheet is good — and dry them perfectly in the sun. Afterward, they wiU keep good in any dry place. K. ri. b. BUTTER MAKING. '• Can we make more Butter by Churning all the Milk than the Cream only ?" Most assuredly we can. Almost every one who has- had experience in making butter in hot weather knows that before the cream all rises the milk will be loppered, and sometimes it is found moldy. IIow, in this case, are we to get all the butter that is in the milk, unless we churn milk, cream and all? One of my neighbors churns his milk and cream all together, and after the buttermilk has stood awhile ho churns it over again, and finds enough butter in the buttennilk to supply his family with what they want to eat. If you could compel the cream to rise all up before the milk is loppered, you could then get nearly all the cream of the milk, so as to have the whole of the butter by churning the cream only. A. l. smith. Nichols, Tioga Co., K. Y. FEEDING CORN-STALKS TO CATTLE. " The best Time, Place, and \l&y of feeding out Corn-Stalfcs- to CatUe." Almost all farmers have a vsray of their own, and they nearly all difier in regard to the manner and' time of feeding out stalks, — and as a general things perhaps, without much thougbt as to whether their maimer of feeding is either economical or convenient. First, as regards the time of feeding. If tlie stalks are keeping well, and are not where they must be removed to make room for something of Tuore importance, never fodder them out early in the fall : they are not eaten half as well as wheo; fed later, or after snow has fallen. Next, as to the place : feed them in the yard, by all means, where, in the ci^urse of the winter, what is uneaten will be thoroughly incorporated with, the manure, and in a decaying condition suitable for use the ensuing summer ; Avhereas,. if tlie stalks- were fed scattered around the fields, what remained uneaten would be almost valueless, as I have found them, after feeding the stalks in the meadow,^ only partially decayed several years after, — when if fed in the barn-yard they make qmiQ a quantity of goud manure. As to the manner of feeding, scatter them around the yard,— taking care not to feed when the yard is wet or muddy, and none will be left but the butts of the stalks,— and they will be scattered where they -will have the best chance to become thoroughly mixed with the droppings of the cattle^ .and assist in absorbing the juices of the yard. E. P. B. THE GEXESEE FAEMER. 215 MULES vs. HOESES. "TVill it pay best to raise Mules or Horse's, either for Farm Purposes or the Market?" I rxDERSTANO that to mean, ^vliicli will pnt the most money in the farmer's pocket in a given time, mules or horses ? And if the old adage be trite — *' A penny saved is as good as a penny earned," — I think there is no doubt but mules pay best. For all the labor of a farm, a good sized mule is equal in all respects to a good sized horse. Tliis no one "vvill dispute who is accustomed to both. But there is this (iitlerenee in favor of the mule : he will per- form the same labor upon two-thirds the amount of food tliat the horse will consume. Hei-e, then, is a -saving of one-third, which will enable the fanner to keep three mules Vv-hen he could only keep two horses. Their cash value is about the same. Another item will be saved in the shoeing of mules. Owing to the hardness of the mule's feet, and their slow growth, shoes once on need not be 2*emoved until worn out; and their bodies being light, the shoes wear a long time. I think I am within bounds, when I say a mitle can be kept shod the year round for one-third the cost of keeping a Lorse shod the same length of time. Then their durability should be taken into ac- count. But few horses survive twenty, and I think I may s'STOX, of Geneva, N. T., who on his own farm has clearly proved that money spent in underdraining is a profitable invest- ment, and who through the press has done so much to direct the attention of his brother farmers to this and other improvements, has received and answered, since the 20th of January last, s-kdy-four letters asking questions ia regard to underdraining. Clover Seed Harvester. — We always hail with pleas- ure everything which tends to chcnpen clover seed, be- lieving that farmers cannot raise too much of this reno- ! vating crop. The " Seed Harvester" of Mr. J. A. Wage- neh, advertised in this number, greatly lessens the labor and expense of gathering and threshing ciover seed, and consequently commends itself to particular favor. Mr. W. will send, gratis, circulars giving full information, to all applicants. « >■ ■ The Gexesee Farmer ix Oregox. — Our correspondent, G. W. HrxT, of Sublimity, Oregon, writes as follows : " The Farmer is well liked here, although when I com- menced ticking it my neighbors laughed at " book farm- ing ;" but now the scales arc turned. I think, had I leisure, I could send you a hundred subscribers. Some of my friends are, at my suggestion, making up clubs. I believe this country is goiiig to beat the world for fine stock. There are parties aire-ady gone to the States for pure blooded stock. ' .-♦-. Diseases op Horses. — Correction. — In the recipe for the cure of big-head, &c., in horses, furnished by Mr. A. YocNG, and published in the Farmer for May, page 151, an error of considerable importance occurred. One of the ingredients was printed limeston-e, whereas it should have been brimstone. The mistake was probably detects by most of our readers. »«-• We would call particular attention to the advertise- ment of G. Westinghouse & Co., of Schenectady, N. Y. Their one, two and three Horse Powers hare no superiors, and all their machines and implements are STich as we can cheerfullv recommend. THE GENESEE FARMEK. 327 Warren C. Jonks, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, who took the fourth April Premium, in acknowledging the receipt of the books says : " It would have done your heart good if you could have seen the reception, the opening of the package, and the etsdamations of my better half when she discovered that )'ou had uot only given full scripture measure, but run- ning over ; the joy of Loui over the Shanghai book, and csf Olla Stephen, my three-year-old, over the Morgan horses ; and even Dora, the baby, seemed to crow more lustily. Your name has found a place iu my household that will not soon be effaced." CJorn for Fodder. — We have several communications tu'^ng farmers to sow corn for fodder. It does best in drills, so as to admit the use of the cultivator. Sow plenty of seed — say forty kei-nels to the foot. Inquiries and Answers. Sowing Wheat after Wheat. — Will you be kind enough to advise, through the Farmer, whether a portion of a field which is now bearing a good crop of wheat will answer to seed again with wheat in the fall? I would rather do this, if so advised, as it would thus form con- nexion with the remuiuing portion of the field, (a) In case you think a second crop of wheat advisable, would it be well to plow the land miraediately after the present crop is cut, thereby turning down all the stubble, which, from the abuudance of the crop, must be very considera- ble, and again plowing immediately before seeding ? {h) The portion of the field now bearing wheat had applied to it, at seeding time last fall, about 275 lbs. per acre Peruvian guano ; would another application of guano be a proper manure for a second crop ? — or is the opinion of many fiirmers in this neighborhood correct — that the frequent application of guano will ultimately injure the land? (c) A Subscriber.— Z?a/'i^a»fi?, N. Y. (a) Under such circumstances, we should have no hesi- •tatlon in sowing wheat after wheat. Wheat will do as well after wheat as any other crop, provided the soil is rich enough. By the aid of judicious manuring, Mr. Lawes obtained a crop ot wheat of 55 bushels per acre, on a soil that had grown a crop of wheat twelve years in succes- sion ; and last year, after fifteen successive crops had been femot'cd, the crop on one heavily manured plot was 50 bushels^per acre. There can be no doubt that on a good loamy soil, and with the aid of proper manures, wheat can be grown without any intervening crop. Rotation of crops is not a necessity. It is advantageous, as enabling the former the better to enrich the soil, pulverize, consolidate and clean it. (6) We haveliad no experience on this point. Should prefer to plow it twice, unless the soil is somewhat light. In such a case, it might be better to cut the wheat pretty dose to the ground, and then harrow the field, for the pur- pose of starting the seeds of weeds, &c. We think, how- orer, that it would be in most eases best to plow twice. In sowing wheat after peas, the soil is sometimes so dry that th« seed will not germinate. This may be the case to some extent after wheat, and by twice plowing this diffi- cnlty would be obviated, and the soil be nearly as moist afi after a regular summer fallow. We may remark, al- though the climate of England is very different from that of this country, that in the experiments of Mr. Lawes, previously alluded to, the soil was always plowed ticice, — once immediately after the crop was removed, and again just previous to sowing. In addition to this, the crop was band-hoed twice iu the spring. {e) Peruvian guano is as good a manure as can be ob- tained for the second crop. The idea that guano will injure the land — that it is merely a stimulant — rests on no satisfactory evidence. Guano, like common manure, con- tains all the elements of plants, and, with perhaps the exception of potash, soda, and cai'bonaceous mattei', in the right proportion required by most plants. If by the con- tinued use of guano the soil should become deficient in potash and soda, a few bushels of unleached ashes per acre would supply the deficiency, and if it becomes deficient in carbonaceous matter, turn under a crop of clover. In fact, apply the ashes and plaster to the clover, which they will greatly benefit, turn in the clover, and there will be no danger of impoverishing your soil by the use of guano. In saying this, we do not say that the use of Peruvian guano will be profitable. That is a question the answer to which must depend on the price of wheat. If wheat is worth §1.50 per bushel, the use of Peruvian guano will be profitable ; if only 75 cents, it would hardly pay, — un- less on soils that without guano would not produce more than four or five bushels per acre. Will you or some of your correspondents give us the botanical name of pea-nuts ; also, some information in regard to their cultivation ? (a) Will gypsum incorporated with fermenting manure prevent tlie escape of ammonia? (J) Do gypsum and ashes, when mixed, have any effect upon each other, chemically ? {c) I beg leave to differ with an assertion made in the June number of the Farmer, namely, that bones can not be dis- solved by moistened ashes. Ilad the writer of that article been with me at the time I received the June number of the Farmer, I could have shown him a small quantity of bones reduced to a jelly by the use of stronrr oak ashes. Large, hard bones, require some time to tlissolve, but they will dissolve eventually, {d) M. Garnset. (rt) The pea-nut, or pindai-, (AracJm Tinj^ogaia), like the pea and bean, is a leguminous plant. Of its cultivatien we know but little, and should be glad if some of our cor- respondents who have raised it would give us the desired information. It is grown to a considerable extent in the Southern States, and yields on good soil from 60 to 75 bushels of nuts per acre. The seeds are planted in rows about a foot apart each way. As soon as the flowers ap- pear, the vines are earthed up from time to time, so as to keep them chiefly within the ground. (6) It will not. If the gypsum was dissolved in water, it would do so. Read the article on Manures in the Bimii Annual for 1858. (c) If they were both dissolved in water, they would be mutually decomposed, carbonate of lime and sulphate of potash being formed. In the dry state, as generally used for manure, probably no change takes place — certainly not to any considerable extent. It requires 400 lbs. ot water. to dissolve one lb. of gypsum. {d) -BtFt'ng ashes may remove the gelatine of the bones, end convert it into a jelly, and the bones might crumble ■to pieces ; but they would not be dissolved — the phosphate of lime of the bones would still be insoluble. Grafts from Dwarf Pear Trees, &c. — (J. T. Ser- geant.) You can cut buds or scions from your Dwarf trees, and bud or graft them on the Pear stock. The par- ticular kind of stock does not affect the variety of fruit which is worked on it, to any appreciable extent. Meahan's Hand Book of Ornamental Trees is the best small and concise work on the description and propaga- tion of ornamental trees. Price 75 cents. THE GENESEE FARMER. Best Varieties of Dwarf Pears for a small Gar- den.— (S. S. Sargeant.) Summer sorts — Bloodgood, Bart- lett, Dearborn's Seedling, Tyson. Autumn sorts — Beurre Diel, Belle Lucrative, Duchesse d'Angouleme, White Do- yenne, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Seckel, Steven's Genesee, Swan's Orange. Winter sorts — Beurre d'Aremberg, Eas- ter Beurre, Beurre gris d'hiver Noveau, Glout Morceau, Vicar of Winkfield. Italian Rte-Grass.— (S. S. Sargeant.) On very rich land, and in a suitable climate, Italian rye-grass will pro- duce an enormous crop. We have seen it growing near New York, but we believe it does not stand the winters in this section. We should be glad if our readers who have raised it would give us their experience. Drilling Wheat. — I wish to get the experience of your readers on one important question. Is wheat the better for being drilled in than sown broadcast on sandy land '? Most of our wheat land in Michigan is sand or gravelly loam. We have not had much experience with drills in this country. J. C. — Quincy, Mich. Will some of your horticulturists tell me, through the Genesee Farmer, whether buds will succeed if set on wood of one, two, or more years' growth, or must they invaria- bly be inserted in the'growth of the present seaean V D. — Gates. Cement Cellar Bottom. — Will some one who has had experience, inform me how to make a first-rate cement cellar bottom ? Would it be best to cover the sides with cement, or only the bottom ? C. N. Howe. — Homer, N. Y. Foot Rot in Sheep. — I would like to have some cor- respondent of the Farmer give the cause and cure of the disease in sheep, called Foot Rot, and also state whether it is contagious. W. Brown. — Clark Co., Ohio. Notices of Eooks, Pamphlets, &c. THE LIVES AND TIMES CF THE CHIEF JUSTICES OF THE UNITED STATES. By Hexry Flandees. PhUadel- phia : J. B. Lippincott & Co. 166S. This is a work which it is unnecessaiy to recommend. Well written biographical sketches are always interesting, and those of such eminent men as the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States will be perused with unflagging attention and pleasure. The work con- sists of two large, handsome volumes. The first contains the lives of John Jay and of John Rctledge, the second those of William Cushing, Oliver Ellsworth, and John Marshall. PEAEL8 OP THOUGHT, Eeligioiis and Philosophical, gath- ered from Old Authora. New Tork : Stanford & Delissek. 185S. This is a handsome book, of about 250 pages, filled with short and striking extracts from such writers as Arthur Warwick, Jeremy Collier, Owen Feltham, Bishop Hall, Thomas Fuller, Sir Thomas Browne, John Donne, Francis Quarles, Jeremy Taylor, Pascal, Fenelon, Foster, Goethe, Cecil, Louth, Chalmers, Bolinbroke, Burke, and a score of others, whose thoughts are indeed pearls, and cannot be too often presented to the mind. JOURNAL OF THE UNINED STATES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR 1857. Edited by Ben. Peklkt Poorb, Sec- retary of the Society. Washington, D. C. 1SD3. This number of the Journrl is perhaps the best yet pub- lished by the Society. Although it contains little matter that has not been previously given to the public through the press, yet it is desirable to have it in such a convenient form for tuture reference. MEADOW BROOK. By Mrs. Mary J. Holmes, author of "The Homestead on the Hill Side,"« "Lena Rivers," "Tempest and Sunshine," etc. New York : C. M. Saxton. 1857. This is an interesting story in the form of an autobiog- raphy of a New England farmer's daughter. We have pleasing descriptions of the quiet life of a New England village ; of aristocratic society in Boston ; of a farmer's life in Western New York ; and finally, of life on a south- ern plantation. The story is well told, well written, and well worth reading. « A NEW LIFE OF SUMMERFIELD. By William M. Wn.- LETT. " SuMMERFiELD was not E man of every day ; there is yet Are enough in his ashes to kindle a flame that will be much longer lived than himself." — Montgmnery. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 185S. We are glad to see a new life of this zealous and elo- quent Methodist minister, called for. It is a most inter- esting work, which no christian can read without having his zeal and energies awakened, and his "inner life" strengthened. LECTURES OP LOLA MONTEZ, (Countess of LandsfeldJ Including her Autobiography. New York: Eudd & Gaels- ton. 1858. This is quite a readable book, and will undoubtedly have a great sale. Besides the Autobiography, there is a Lec- ture each on Beautiful Women, Gallantry, Heroines of History, Comic Aspects of Love, Wits and Women of Paris, and on Romanism. Price, prepaid by mail, %\. AQUARELLES, or Summer Sketches. By Samuel Sombbb. New York : Stanford & Delissee. 1858. An illustrated poem, designed to show up the forms and follies of modern fashionable life at such watering places as Newport, Sharon, and Saratoga. URSULA : A Tale of Country Life. By the author of " Amy ^Herbert." "Ivors," &c. In two volumes. New York: D Appleton & Co. 185S. LILY WHITE : A Romance. By Edward Goodwin. Phila- delphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1858. New Advertisements tMs Konth. Railway Horse Powers, Threshers, &c. — ft. Westinghouse A Co., Schenectady, N. Y. Delano's Independent Tooth Hay and Grain Kake— D. Laitd- reth & Son, Philadelphia, Pa. 5,000 Agents Wanted — Ephraim Brown, Lowell, Mass. Wagoner's Seed Harvester — J. A. Wagener, New York City. Old Dominion Coffee Pot — Arthur, Bumham, & Gilroy, Phita- delphia. Pa. Profitable Employment — Robert Sears, New Tork City. Durham Boll for sale — C. N. Bement, Po'keepsie, N. Y. Partner or Agent Wanted — Post Master, Port Royal, Va. American School Institute — Smith, Woodman, & Co., New York City. Educational Herald — Smith, Woodman, & Co., N. York CSty. Agricultural and Literary Lecturer— James 0. Miller, Mont- gomery, N. Y. 1,000 Agents Wanted — C. P. Whitten, Lowell, Mass. U. 8. Tent and Flag Manufactory— Jas. Field, Rochester, N. Y. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Fakmbb, must be received as early as the 10th of the previous month, and be of such a character as \» be of interest to farmers. Teems — Two Dollars for every hrm- dred words, each insertion, paid in advance. PEEKIN'S CORN-HUSKnrG MACHINE, $5 50.-AGKNTB WANTED to solicit orders in every town and county. — Terms unusually lilje^aL Ad'^ress J. PF.EICTNS & CO. Jane, 185S.— it* West KiJlingly, Conn. THE GENESEE FARMER. 229 July, 185S.— lt*$5 J, A. WAGENER'S SEED HARVESTER, Patented May 24tu, 1853, and iitpkovemekts to 1853, Will challenge the world to beat it for its ABILITY, SIMPLICITY AND DURABILITY, and EASE OF ACTION. "Warranted to do the work ia best manner, clean and neat, and ■with speed. J. A. WAGENER, No. 7 Beekman street, New York, Nassau Bank Building. the "old dominion" cjo3p:e»:e!Des i=»ot.i THOUSANDS of this new Coffee Pot have already been sold, and the demand from all parts of the United States is rapidly on the increase. Wherever introduced, it has given the most eomplcte satisfaction. THE OLD DOMINION COFFEE POT Makes better coffee than it is possible to obtain in any other way, because, by an ingenious but simple arrangement, the house- keeper may Voil her coffee for any length of time u^tfiout Ions of aroma, thus securing all the elements of the coffee in their natu- ral and proportional combinations. THE OLD DOMINION COFFEE POT Gives a healthy beverage. Nervous, dyspeptic, and bilious per- sons, who had not dared to use coffee for years, have been able to drink their favorite beverage again when made in this new boiler, and without an occurrence of any of the old unpleasant conse- quences. It is healthy, because, by the use of a condenser, evapo- ration is prevented, and the coffee can be boiled long enough to release all the natural elements of the berry, and get them in just proportion in the beverage. THE. OLD DOMINION COFFEE POT Is the most economical, for, nothing being lost by evaporation in boiling, one-fourth less coffee is required ; while the beverage is stronger, more fragrant, and more delicious. THE OLD DOMINION COFFEE POT Never fails to do its work right. Cook can not spoil your cup of coffee by neglect or forgetfulness, after she has placed the boiler on the stove or range. THE OLD DOMINION COFFEE POT Is manufactured under the patent for the United States by ARTHUR, BURNHAM, & GIJLROY, 117 er annum ; 8 copies $1. Specimen copies sent upon application. SMITH, WOODMAN, & CO.. jy It ex 346 Broadway, New York. JAMES 0. MILLER, OF Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., known as the "Orange County Farmer," grateful for past patronage, renews the offer of his services as a Lecturer at Agricultural Fairs, and before Literary Clubs, upon " Progressive Agriculture," "Horticulture," "The Science of Making Homes Happy," "Charity," "Truth," and "Faith." TERMS MODERATE. The Lecture of the " Orange County Farmer," at Clinton Hall, last night, was one of the best treats of the season. Mr. Miller is a young man who only needs to be still better known to become still more popular, for he speaks upon his favorite topics with the vigor and fervor of a devotee. — 2^. Y. Daily Times. jy It* 1,000 AGENTS WANTED.— For particulars, send stamp, jy 3t* C. P. WHITTEN, Lowell, Mass. U. S, TENT AND FLAG MANUFACTORY, No. m Buffalo St., Rochester, N. Y. HAVING purchased the entire stock of Tents and Flags for- merly owned by E. C. Williams, I am prepared to rent the same at reasonable rates, for Agricultural Fairs, Military Encamp- ments. Camp Meetings, Conferences, &c., &:c. I will also manufacture, on short notice. Tents, Flags, Awnings, Bags, aad everything pertainiug to this branch of business. Adctress JAMES FIELD, July, 136-8. —3t* Box 701, Rochester, N. T. 280 THE GE^TESEE FARMER. ^:.<^f=^^-^ RAILWAY HORSE POWERS, THRESHERS, &c., A3 IMPROVED BY a- . -w ESTiKra-noxjSE sc oo.. And Manufactured by tliem at Schenectady, N. Y. WE have made improvements in tliese Machines which make them superior to any other Machines of this class in use. THE UUESE POWER is improved l>y a peculiar coustruction of the chain, which causes it to keep uniformly tight, and run as smoothly around the circle at the ends as over the straight ways, when drawn up properly by draw screws in front of the power. "We fasten the gearing on our powers in such a manner that it can not work loose and come ofl. The gearing is conveniently ehanged from one side of the power to'the other, and different motions may be obtained by a change of wheels. In most powers of this kind, horses are obliged to walh verj- fast to give proper moiion to the cylinder. We have ours geared so that the horses may walk slow and give a suffi(tient motion to the cylinder, \ii miles per hour being fast enough for threshing dry grain. This is oonsidered imi)ortant, as horses should walk slow in overcoming an elevation. We make One, Two, and Three Horse Powers of this kind, the One and Two Horse being such as are suitable for farmers' own use, in threshing, sawing wood, etc. The THREE HORSE POAVER Is a new thing. never having been introduced to a great extent. It is suitable for those who make threshing their busmess, and is capable of driving a Thresher and Winnower to thresh from 200 to 40O bushels of wheat per day, when well managed. It is fully equal to the best Six Horse Lever Power in use. OVERSHOT THEESIIEES have been used to a great extent, and driven by One and Two Horse Powers. One great objection to them has been their throwing grain and dust into the feeder's face. We have etfcctually remedied this defect by an arrange- ment patented by us. The teeth or spikes of the cylinder are fastened in by a screw and nut on the inside, which prevents their flying out, and are easily replaced when broken oiT. The bear- ings in which the cylinder shaft runs (also those of the Horse Power) are constructed so that they may be kept uniformly oiled without waste of oil. and thus prevent tiie heating or wearing of shaft and boxes. A Ratchet Pulley is put upon the c.vlinder shaft, wtich enables the Horse Power to be stopped Instantly, without tlirowing off the belt. It is considered a great convenience by those who have used machines with and without one. Our SEPARATOR h.-is a Straw Shaker attached, which makes it one of the best Machines for separating grain from the straw : and in separatinir Clover from the straw, is particularlv efficient COMBINED THRESHERS AND WINNOWERS," for P,ail- way Powers, have been brought considerably into use, and we have introduced them to some extent in connection with our Two Horse Powers. Most Machines of this kind are liable to carryover considerable grain in the straw, but we have in ours a wire separator (patent- ed) which will allow less grain to he wasted in this manner than ?iiy other Machine It is an Overshot Thresher, and, properly managed, will thresh full as much, and do the work better than any other Machine of this class. The amount it will thresh de- pends much upon the grain, but will probably be from IW to 200 bushels of wheat, and from 250 to 350 bushels of oats ; yet double these amounts have been done. We make LARGE UNDERSHOT THRESHERS AND WIN- NOWERS, calculated for SLx to Ten Horse Lever Powers, which have been in use, and made by us several years. They have been well liked wherever used. Our CLOVER MACHINES hull and clean the seed at the same time, and maybe driven with a Two Horse Powm. The quantity tbey will hull depends upon the quality of the chaff and the con- dition it is in. They have given general satisfaction where used. We make CIRCULAR WOOD SAWS, for sawing eUher long or short wouJ ; also, DRAG SAWS for sawing logs, and P0"«^ ER3 for churning with a dog or sheep. All the above named Machines are made in a substantial and workmanlike manner, and we warrant them to suit the purchaser when fairly tried, or they may be returned and the purchase money will be refunded. We give a few of the many Testimonials we have received in regard to the working of our Machines, and would ask those who wi'sh to purchase, to make further inquiry of us, or call and sec our Machines. Leti.es Center, IIL, 10th Nov., 1SD7. Messrs. G. WESTixenoueB & Co. : I have received the Machine ordered, all right, but too late to do much this season. I tried it, and it operated first rate. All who have seen it ad- mire it much. Many supposed them to be regular horse killers, and seemed surprised to see my horses work it without apparent fatigue. I think vciur Machines will take well. Respectfully, yours, WM. H. GALLUP. CoK QUEST, N. Y., 22d Feb'y, 1858. Messrs. G. WESTTNGnorsE &. Co. : I presume you have been expecting to hear from me in relation to the Ihree Horse Power, Clover Hulkr, and Thresher and Sep- arator. I will say that they work first rate, and the man that runs them says he has never st;en a cut seed in the seed boxes of the Clover Mill. It hulls at the rate of one bushel in 25 minutes, dry chaff; but we have a great deal of wet clover to get out. Large quantities are stacked out, and some of it is wet nearly to the ground. We use but two horses to thresh the clover, but when we hull it we put on three. With the Two Horse Power Thresher and Winnower, I have threshed and cleaned from 4u to 70 bushels of oats per hour, and it did the work throughout the nearest to perfection of any Ma- chine I ever saw, and such is the verdict of all who have seen it run. B. M. CLOSE. Rrs-SELviLLE, Tenn., 2Sth July, 1S57. Messrs. G. WBSTtN'cnorsE & Co. : D(ar Sird — I have ju»t been witnessing the operation of your Threshing Machine, the one consigned to Joitn W. Bewley, of this place. There were several persons firesent, all of whom pi say that they will be perfect and ci:)mplete in workman- ship and material, ami are offercJ to them on term.s accommodat- ing and suited to tlie times. With each machine wili be furnished two scythes, two extra guards, two extra sections, one extra pinion, and wrench. Warranted capable of cntting from 10 to 15 acres c»f grass or gnsln wr day, in a workmanlike manner. Price of Machines as heretof.re. The Combined Machine varies in prico according to width of cat and its adaptatitm in ^e and strength, to different sections of the country, from $li5 to $150, delivered here on the cars. Price of Single Mower, stoel bar, $115.00 WALTER A. WOOD, Manufioctnrer and Proprietor, May, lS5a-tf Hooslck Falls, N. T. DELANO'S INDEPENDENT TOOTH HAY AND GRAIN RAKE. THIS Kake has given universal satisfaction wherover it has been introduced. The ease and facility with which the hay may Ixi placed in wlnr.iws, or bunche^ 7.00 .34 5.50 8.00 8.50 10 50 15.00 do mess, per bbl.,.. Xard, per lb., Butter, do Cheese, do Flour, per bbl., Wheat, per bush., .... Com, shelled, per bu., Kye, do Oats, do Barley, do Clover Seed, do Timothy Seed, do Flax Seed, do Hay, per ton, 16.00 16.50 MX .11 .10 .22 .03-^ .08 3.75 7.50 .84 1.30 .70 .76 .70 .73 .33 .46 .59 .68 4.00 4.50 2.00 2.25 ],S0 1.90 8.00 9.00 .24 .46 -- 18.00 •ll^if .12 18.50 .13 .16 .10 .10 .07 3.30 .63 .46 .50 .30 .30 5.CI0 1.25 .70 4.50 .12 .09 4.62 .66 .56 .53 .30>^ .36 6.50 1.50 .90 6.50 .13 .19 .13 5.2S 1.17 1.02 .84 .63 .78 5.00 .17 .10 .25 .28 .15 4.37 .SO .64 .66 .87 .60 4.25 6.00 1.25 .71 .68 .40 4.873-^ 3 60 .70 4.15 .90 6.00 1.53 1.05 .55 .30 .80 4.50 1.50 .82 .45 5.00 1.75 .90 1.02 ).1T 7.25 1.55 1.60 1.74 1.80 12.00 .16 4.00 17.00 4.50 .27 .45 .26 .23 Wood, hard, per cord. 4.00 6.50 CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. A Long Island Prize Farm, 201 Do Cereals destroy Nitrogen? 202 Suggested Items— No. 22 205 Notes for the Month, by S. W 205 Management of Permanent Grass Land 205 The Good sells the Bad 206 Gras.s Culture 206 Applying Artificial Manure to Corn 207 Hoed Crops— Clean Culture 207 Cultivation of Sweet Potatoes 20S Stirring the Soil and turning Manure 208 To protect Cucumbers and Melons from the Striped Bug 208 1?eoding Corn Fields to Grass 209 Com Grubs ■. 209 Harrowing Turnips 209 Cure for Bots in Horses 209 Advantages of Mowing Machines— once more 210 How to sow Grass Seed 210 Management of Bees 211 Farming in Texas— A happy Editor 211 To keep Tires tight on Wheels 211 GENESEE FARMER PRIZE ESSAYS. Adorning and Beautifying Farmers' Homes 212 On the Duty of Kindness to Domestic Animals 212 Stock for a hundred acre Farm 213 Buildings and Fixtures for a hundred acre Farm 218 Tools and Implements for a hundred acre Farm 214 Butter Making 214 Raising and picking Geese 214 Feeding Cora Stalks to Cattle 214 Mules i\i. Horses 215 On the Construction and Arrangement of Bara-Tards 215 Cutting and steaming Food for Stock 215 On the best Substitute for Hay in feeding Stock 216 On stacking and feeding out Straw 216 On the Importance of providing Shelter for all kinds of Stock 216 Keeping Cattle in Sheds the whole Tear. 21 T Would it be prudent for Farmers to adopt the Ten Hour System ? 21 ( Removing small Stones 218 Bean Straw as Feed for Sheep 218 Should Cows be milked more than once a day in Winter?. . . 218 On the Cultivation of Hops 219 Does it injure Butter to color it? 219 Cellar fur a Farm House 219 Harrows .and Harrowing 219 Pasturing Sheep in Orchards 220 On stealing Fruit 220 Transplanting Trees ooi On Uic best Method of using Liquid Manure for Gardens 221 HORTICtrLTURAL DEPARTMENT. Summer Exhibition of the Genesee Valley Hort. Society 222 The Gooseberry and Currant Caterpillar. 223 Horticultural Notes from Iowa 224 Pears for Market 234 Notes from Oregon 225 EDITOR S TABLE. To our Agents and Friends everywhere 226 State Fairs for 1858 226 Success of the Genesee Farmer 226 Clover Seed Harvester 226 Underdraining 226 The Genesee Farmer in Oregon 226 Diseases of Horses — Correction 226 Corn for Fodder 22T Inquiries and Answers 22T Sowing Wheat after Wheat 227 Grafts from Dwarf Pear Trees, &c ^ 22T Best Varieties of Dwarf Pears for a small Garden 228 Italian Eye-Grass 228 Notices of Books, Pamphlets, &c 228 The Practical and Scientific Farmer^s Own Paper. THE GENESEE FARMER, A MONTHLY JOTTRNAL OP AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. ILLrSTRATED WITH NUMEBOUS ENGRAVINGS OP Farm Buildings, Animals, Implements, Fruits, &c. VOLUME XIX, FOR 1858. Fifty Cents a Year, in Advance. Five Copies for $2 ; Eight Copies for $3 ; and any larger nnmr ber at the same rate. 1^" All subscriptions to commence wit'n the year, and tha entire volume supplied to all subscribers. * ^^ Post-Masteks, Farmers, and all friends of improvemeBt are respectfully solicited to obtain and forward subscriptions. Specimen numbers sent to all applicants. Subscription money, if properly enclosed, may be sent at th« risk of the Publisher. Address JOSEPH HARRIS, Januakt 1, 1858. Rochester, N. Y, Postage. — The postage on the Farmer, sent to any place ia the State of New York, paid quarterly in advance, is three cents a year; to any other place in the United States, five cents a year. We pay the American postage on all papers sent to the Canadas, or any of the other British Provinces. Vol. XIX, Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., AUGUST, 1858. No. 8. AN ENGLISH VIEW OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. In a recent conversation with the editor of one of our best wes-terc agricultural papers, he alluded to some articles he had written showing, from a number of analyses of new soil and of soil which had been under cultivation for some years, that our present system of tillage is radically defective — that it is rapidly exhausting the soil of its elements of fertility. We endeavored to demonstrate to him the impossibility of proving anything of the kind by analysis, "Well," he replied, "even if what you say is true, I thought, and still think, that the analyses I have quoted afforded a good text from which to preach a sermon on the miserable system of cultivation too generally practiced. Whether true or not, if the publication of such statements as those made by Dr. will induce our farmers to cultivate their land better, much good Avill be done." Such views as these, appear to be entertained by many of our most popular agricultural writers. The orators at our State and County Fairs, the worthy Secretaries and Presidents of our Agricul- tural Societies, learned Professors, and dignified Presidents of our prospective Agricultural Colleges, one and all, seem to deem it necessary, in urging the advantages of an improved system of cultiva- tion, to prove that under the present mode of till- age our soils are rapidly becoming exhausted of their elements of fertility. From Maine to Min- nesota, from Canada to California, there is one continuous whine on this subject, and the last mail bring, back a faint echo from the other side of the Atlantic. The Marh Lane Express, the ablest and most influential agricultural journal in England, in a review of the "-Fourth Annual Report of the Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Agricul- ture,^'' alludes to this subject as follows : " It has "been said that a sterile soil is usually bettor cultivated than a fertile one; and that the principal reason why England exliibits features in farming almost equal to gardening, is that the soil, generally speaking, is so inferior that it awakens all the energy of the cultivator to raise a remunerating- produce. This rule, however, does not hold good in New England or Massachusetts. There the soil is certainly inferior in quality to most of the States ; notwithstanding which, the scourging system has been at work there to such a degree as to extort the following statement from a speaker at the Massachu- setts Ag. Society's meeting: ' One thing is certain, that under tlie influence of practical farming, as it is called, the land of New England has notoriously deteriorated to such an extent, that it is estimated that at least a thousand millions of dollars (£200 - 000,000 sterling) would be required to repair the etfects of a wasteful and exhausting system of cul- tivation.' "Again, in the report of the committee on farms of the Essex (N. E.) Agricultural Society, it is stated that notwithstanding premiums are ofFered of fifty dollars for the best-managed farms, onlv two competitors presented themselves, and one oj' these afterwards withdrew. Similar admissions are made by the committees for other societies. But a more striking proof of the hostility of tlie farmers generally to improvements, is the fact, that when a comparatively small sum was required to conduct a farm for experhnental objects by the State, it was refused by the House of Representa- tives, although the tax individually would have been of the most homoeopathic amount. " Now, when we consider that New England* iv the foremost State of the Union in the encoura^re- ment of agriculture by the authorities ; and that, ' notwithstanding this, the {M-oduce of wheat has • decreased in forty years 50 per cent, per acre, oats 40 per cent., Indian corn 70 per cent., sheep 70 per cent., &c., &c. ; we may conclude that in tlie other States the same process of deterioration is going on ; and that the accession of new land to the cultivation of cereal crops does not more tliaii compensate for the falling off of production on tlk- old land, and the increased consumption consequent on the increase of the popidation. We know from universal admission that in the State of Vir-nnia the drastic character of the tobacco cultivation, :i^ conducted there, has reduced that fertile soil to such hopeless sterility that a large portion of it is no longer cultivated, * * * It is also admitted that not only in all the old States, but even in thost^ new one^ that have been cultivated the past twenty years, the same process has produced the san.V eflfect; and after a few years the .yield of corn, wheat, oats, &c., falls off; no manure, general]-.' * We suppose our contemporary means Massachnsetts. 234 THE GENESEE FARMER. speaking, being applied to make good the waste of materials." What is termed the "scourging system," is taking from tlie land all the crops which shallow plowing and imperfect tillage will enable it to produce with- out the aid of manure. And it is said that "at least a thousand million of dollars ($1,000,000,000) would be required to repair the effects of this wasteful and exhausting system of cultivation." The estimate is based on the commercial value of the potash, soda, lime, magnesia, sulphuric acid, phosph(.>ric acid, chlorine, and ammonia, which the crops and animals sold oft' the farm have abstracted from the soil. Now, the amount of these sub- stances contained in an acre of government land, which sells for $1.25, would be worth, according to such an estimate, at least $2,000 ; and it is just as absurd to say that the soil of Massachusetts has been impoverished to the tune of a thousand mil- lions of dollars, as it would be to say that each acre was originally worth $2,000. If shallow plowing Q,ud imperfect tillage — if "a wasteful and exhausting system of cultivation" — have removed a thousand millions of dollars worth of the elements of crops from the soil of Massachu- eetts, deeper plowing and better tillage, by increas ■ ing the yield of produce, would have removed a much greater quantity. By underdraining, by thorough tillage, by a judicious rotation, by the use of plaster, and by plowing in clover, many of our best farmers have greatly increased the pro- ductiveness of their land — they are enabled to sell double the amount of produce which the land in its undrained and imperfectly tilled condition would have produced. They remove from the soil double the quantity of the elements of plants; they im- poverish the soil with two-fold rapidity! So far, therefore, from the views advocated by tliese writers serving to stimulate farmers to an improved systen:! of cultivation, fully canned out they would rather induce one who has any regard for future generations to let his land lie in its pres- ent undrained and untilled condition; for every crop he removes, according to these views, robs the soil of a given quantum of fertility, and the greater the crops — the better he farms — the sooner will his soil be impoverished ! To suppose that aU the elements of plants which have been removed from the State of Massachu- setts must be returned to the soil before it will be restored to its original fertility, is ridiculous. It might easily be demonstrated that many farms con- tain a sufficient quantity of the elements of plants to last, under ordinary cultivation, for .two thou- sand years; and yet oue of these farms may be so negligently cultivated for a few years that it will cease to produce profitable crops. Now such land is not "exhausted." As we have shown, it still contains more plant-food than it would if it had been better cultivated, and larger crops produced. Tlie small quantity of availaile plant-food has been removed by " this scourging and exhausting systen> of cultivation," but the vast fund of inert plant- food still lies untouched in the soil. Let this so- called " exhausted " farm pass into the hands of an energetic and intelligent cultivator, and he wiU in a few years make it more productive than it had ever been before — and this without introducing one atom of foreign plant-food upon the farm. This statement is strictly in accordance with sound scientific principles, but it does not rest on them' alone. This very thing Jias been done by hundreds of our readers. There are few towns in any of the older settled States that can not furnish an example. The first flush of fertility of much of the land in the older settled States may have been removed ; but the soil is not " exhausted." A better system of cultivation may be necessary to obtain as good crops as formerly, and we greatly err if the intelli- gent land-owners of the United States and Canada are incapable of adapting themselves to circum- stances. Instead of censuring them, as many of our popular writers do, for availing themselves of the fertilizing elements accumulated in tlieir new land, we think it was wisest and best to convert these elements into such crops as would yield the greatest profit. The country was new, the farmers poor, and the land rich and cheap. Houses and barns had to be buUt, the land fenced, and rail- roads and canals constructed. The sturdy, enter- prising pioneer, with little capital but his axe and his stalwart arm, cleai-s the primeval forest. He tickles the rich earth with a hoe, and it laughs with a harvest. Thriving towns, smiling villages, and prosperous cities, spring up as if by magic. Eail- roads are built, canals dug, and lakes and rivers are covered with floating palaces. Before the stnmps of the original forest are decayed, churches, school houses, academies, and colleges, testify of an en- lightened civilization and a material prosperity un- paralleled in the history of the world. Shall super- ficial thinkers, quibbling writers, and self-satisfied lecturers, be allowed to snarl and carp at men who have accomplished such glorious results ? What if they have reduced somewhat the fertility of the soil, and made more thorough tillage necessary. They dug wealth from the soil, but they did not squander it. It has been expended in laying the foundation of a mighty empire. We are in favor of taxing the soil to "its utmost capacity, instead of letting the elements of fertility lie dormant and unproductive. Nature had ma- nured our land, and the fai'mers availed themselves of the opportunity of obtaining good crops at small THE GENESEE FARMER. 235 expense, and were thus enabled to sell at low prices. It was wise in them to do so. If, now, the laud needs manure, they m-nst supply it. The soil is not exhausted — the manure may be. This is the great problem which the farmers of tlie older States have to solve — how they can en- rich their land so as to compete with the naturally manured new land of the West. They need all the lip;ht which modern science can afibrd; all their skill and experience will be taxed to the utmost ; but they will prove equal to the occasion. They have done well ; they deserve honor, not censure; they will do still better in the future. JOHN JOHNSTON'S WHEAT CROP — SALT AS A MANURE. Successful agriculture is the main foundation of national prosperity. Anything which injures the farmer, injures all other classes. ''Will the midge continue so destructive as to force farmers to abandon wheat culture?" is now the anxious question asked by the miller, the merchant, the mechanic, and the manufacturer — bankers, brokers, forwarders — " middle men" of every class — all feel that their prosperity depends on the ability of \he farmer to meet this alarming adversary. Many intelligent persons advocate the temporary cessation of wheat raising, in the hope that the midge may pass over. But the experience of farmers in the Eastern States indicates that this wiU be useless-- the midge is now as injurious there as it was twenty-five years ago. The midge can propagate iti^elf in other plants. "We have found it in barley and in couch grass. If we give up wheat culture now, we can hardly hope to renew it at a future day. No; we must meet "the yellow villain" now, or acknowledge ourselves vanquished. We have seen fields of wheat, the present season, cut for fodder; and it seems almost fool-hardy to con- tinue to sow wheat under such circumstances. But we must not — will not — succumb. The midge is no new thing; it is probably as old as wheat itself. Nearly thirty years ago it was as destructive in Scotland as it has ever been in the worst aifected districts of this country. It prevails to a greater or less extent in all parts of Great Britain. In the London Gardener'^s Chronicle for 1841, Prof. Henslow says: "The wheat midge, {Ceci'/omyia tritici^) millions and millions of which infest every wheat field, is hardly known by fai-m- ers to do them any wrong; and yet on an average it destroys one-twentieth of a crop, and may possi- bly destroy a great deal more." Previous to the introduction of underdraining, high manuring, and guod cultivation, in England, mildew, rust, and smut, were nmch more preva- lent, and the midge and other insects more uumer- 1 ous and injurious, than at present. Many English farmers still living have sold wheat for seven dol- lars per bushel ; and one man we are acquainted with declared, when wheat fell to $3 per bushel, that it was "cbeap enough to feed the pigs;" and yet this man to-day, owing to an improved system of culture, realizes more profit from his farm thau when he obtained $7 per bushel for wheat. Enc^- lish farmers have been forced into a better system of agriculture, and such will be the case in this country. At the present time, there is scarcely a plant grown by the farmer or gardener, that is ex- empt from the attacks of insects. As a general rule, it will be found that the means necessary to escape these attacks will be such as promote the health, vigor, and productiveness, of the plants. This we believe will prove true in regard to the wheat midge. It is a N^emesis sent to scourge us into good culture. But will good culture enable us to escape the ravages of the wheat midge ? It may not enable us to escape entirely, but it will certainly greatly mitigate its injuries. It will enable us to raise good wheat, at a fair profit. Those farmers who adopt the best system of culture are even now affected the least; but they suffer more than they would, from the fact that the propagation of the midge is encouraged by the bad cultivation of those around them. Probably there is no farmer in Western New York who has his land in a higher state of cultivation than John Johxstojt, of Seneca county. He has thoroughly underdrained every part of his farm. He grows great crops of clover, and feeds it out in his barn-yards to sheep and cattle. — Though he has raised some years as much as 3,000 bushels of corn, he has never sold a bushel off the farm. He has for many years purchased large quantities of oil-cake, which, together with the corn, clover, straw, etc., are fed to cattle and sheep, thus making a large quantity of rich ma- nure. The result is that he has always had good crops of wheat, and has made himself rich by farm- ing. True, he has suffered somewhat from the midge, but nothing in comparison to his neighbors. Two years ago, one field of 25 acres produced 841^ bushels of good Saules wheat, or over 33^ bushels per acre. The same field is in wheat (Soules) again the present season, and we had the pleasure of ex- amining it the second week in July, To grow wheat every other year, is running the land pretty hard, and the crop on a portion of the field the present season indicates that the unaided soil will not bear such heavy cropping. Eleven acres were sown without any manur.e, and fourteen acres were dressed with one barrel of salt (380 lbs.) per acre. Otherwise, the conditions were precisely the same, — the same previous crops and tillage, the 236 THE GEJTESEE FAKMEK. same seed, and sown at the same time. The line of demarkation between the salted and the nnsalted portions is very distinct throughont the whole length of the field. On the eleven acres without salt the crop is an unnsually good one for this sea- son ; there is perhaps straw enough for 30 bushels per acre, but it is considerably affected by the midge, and will not yield probably more than 20 bushels per acre. On the fourteen acres where salt was sown, the straw is heavier^ stiffer, and brighter, and the heads larger. It is, too, some four or five dMys earlier, and is nearly free from midge. It ripened too soon for them. The insects attacked it. and we found a few of the larva under the chaff on the outside of the grain, but they have done very little damage. "We agree with Mr. Joii>'stox in estimating the yield at fuU 30 bushels per acre, — probably it will be as great as it was on the same land two years ago, or nearly thirty-four lushels per acre. Mr. Johnston has used salt occasionally on his wheat for twenty years, and always found it to promote the growth and early maturity of the crop; — he thinks the salted wheat is four or five days earlier. He sows the salt at the time of seed- ing. This year he intends to sow 400 lbs. per acre. He thinks it would be better to sow it on the fol- lows in the early part of summer; — the more inti- mately it can be mixed with the soil, the better. This fact in regard to the beneficial effect of salt, is an exceedingly interesting one, both in a practi- cal and scientific point of view. Salt contains two elements which enter into the composition of all our cultivated plants ; but we think its action, in this instance, at least, is not to be ascribed to its supplying these elements ; they are seldom deficient in soils. If we adopt Prof, Wat's hypothesis in regard to the form in which wheat and other ceralia take up the silica required to stiffen their straw — viz., as a double silicate of alumina and ammonia — we have at once an explanation of the foot ; for this double silicate is much more soluble in water containing salt than in pure rain w^ater. In other words, a dressing of salt would be equiva- lent to a dressing of ammonia, which is known to have such a beneficial effect on wheat, not only promoting its growth, but increasing its early ma- turity. If tliis hypothesis is correct — and we state it merely as an hypothesis — salt will do little if any good on poor soil ; and even on rich land its effect w^ill be merely temporary, unless the soil is fur- nished witli amnLonia, in manure, or by plowing in clover, etc. To grow wheat, the eoll must be naturally dry, or thoroughly underdrained ; it must be rich, and carbonaceous matter, as is apt to be the case when clover is plowed in for a nnmber of years-. Better make it into hay and consume it by sheep or cattle, and return the mannre to the land. By judiciously enriching the land, and by sowing the earliest vari- eties, we believe that wheat can still be raised in spite of the midge. Mr. Johnston's experience confirms this view. It is consistent alike with sound theory and practical experience, A DAY IN WHEATLAND. By the kindness of John Dorr, Esq^ of Scotts- vUIe, we recently spent a very pleasant day among the farmers of "Wheatland and Caledonia, in tins- county. They were very busy ; some cutting, wheat, others barley, and many stiU in the midst of haying. Comparatively little whea.t was sown last fall, on account of the midge. Barley ha* taken the place of wheat to a considerable extent. A large breadth of land w^as so'wn, and the crop is very good. Here is a spleadid crop,, belonging to the Hon. John McVean. Th& land was in corn last year, and the barley sown and gang-plowed in. This was all the cultivation it received. Only one bushel of seed was sown per acre. Here is a good field of Mediterranean wheat, belonging to Mr, Hentjt Harmon. The midge has not hurt it. "What we want is, a variety of white wheat equally early. Here comes a farmer who has usually sown from forty to sixty acres of wheat every year. This year he has but two acres. " And there,'* says he, " I missed it." His two acres produced a splendid crop. This is the way — sow only a few acres of the best land, and manure and cultivate highly. Here are the magnificent farms of Elisha and Gen. Har- mon, once so celebrated for their wheat-growing qualities. They appear to be principally laid down with clover, and stocked with fine Merino sheep. "What wheat there is looks well, and the crops of barley, oats and corn are excellent. Donald McXaugiiton still continues to raise wheat, with very fair success. He has this year one hundred and ten acres, that he thinks wUl av- erage twenty bushels per acre. " To have wheat early," says he, "you must plow early, and make the land warm by exposure to the sun." In other words, a good summer fallow decomposes the or- ganic and disintegrates the inorganic matter of the soil, and renders the food of plants available. He has used salt and lime, and also salt and ashes, with good eftect. The wheat is earlier and better on land so manured. Mr. Oliver Lee, of Mumford, has a factory for the manufacture of woolen goods. On our allud- ing to the high fertilizing value of the woolen waste, he said it was so full of weeds and foul especially rich in aujmonla, vAthout an exam of\ seei]^ that it could not be used as a manure. This THE GENESEE FARMER. 237 18 to ns a new fact. Theoretically^ it is nearly equal to Peruvian guano as a manure — except that it is slow to decompose. We should be disposed to ose it, in Spite of the weeds. Could it not be com- posted, and the weeds started and destroyed before applying it to the soil ? These are curious looking geese! "The breed originated in this way. A wild goose was caught, and after some trouble mated with a tame gander. They are said to be hardier and of better flavor than the common goose." Corn is excellent, although much of it had to be planted twice. If, as has been said, " the corn crop is the test of good farming," the farmers of Wheat- land must be accorded a high position. The rows are very straight, the cultivator has been freely nsed, the crop is luxuriant, and scarcely a weed is to be seen. Here is a large field of white beana. Their cul- tivation is not general, but is extending since the failure of the wheat crop. "■! believe you think the growth of beans serves to enrich the land ?" When consumed on the farm, and the manure re- turned to the land, they undouptedly do so ; but this is seldom practiced. Beans contain nearly three times as much nitrogen as wheat, and aftbrd very rich manure. But if the crop is sold, the idea that beans are an enriching crop may not be cor- rect,—although, from the fact that the straw is rich in nitrogen, it may be so. At all events, from be- ing sown in drills they may be regarded somewhat as a fallow crop, affording an opportunity to clean the land. Beans in England are considered an en- riching crop, but they are generally consumed on the farm by horses and sheep. They are a diifer- ent variety from the white bean, although the same in chemical composition, and their growth has probably the same effect on the soil. t Here is a farmer that has planted out quite an extensive orchard of dwarf pears. He has just moiced ajine croj) of timothy from his orchard. The trees look better than could be expected from such treatment, but the owner will soon join the ranks of those who so pertinaciously assert that iwaif pears are a failure ! No one expects to grow 1 crop of corn and a crop of hay from the same land, and any one who expects to grow dwarf oears and hay together will- assuredly be disap- )ointed. They need as good' cultivation as corn or potatoes. ^ "They will not succeed even with good cultiva- ion," says a neighbor of the farmer alluded to. 'I have two trees in my garden that have received he best of treatment, but they are of 7no account, /ome and see them for yourself." " They have not the habit of healthy dwarf pear rees. Are yon sure that they are on quince stocks ?" " I grafted them with these hands, and saw that they were quince stocks with these eyes." "Sir, I believe it on that ground alone,— I could not had I seen them with my own. But stay; were they the common Orange quince ?" " Certainly." "That accounts for it. It is well known that pears will not flourish grafted on the common quince; The Angers and Fontenay are the only varieties fit for the purpose, and none others are used by the nurserymen. The wood of the com- mon quince is of too firm a texture to be used for this purpose. No wonder that your trees do not succeed." We tn-ust our friend will plant out a few properly worked dwarf pear trees this fall, and the next time we have the pleasure of spending a day in ^Vheat- land, he will no longer consider dwarf pears a humbuof. SUGGESTED ITEMS. -No. 23. The finest of weather for haying and other farm labors is oui-s about these days. Let us "thank God, and take courage," though prices are de- pressed and the midge as abundant as ever. _ "^ Long Island Prize Farm'' seems situated just right for the purposes to which it is devoted ; but with such soil and facilities for manure, labor, and market, who could not make money! One man could not — the man without enterprise — the slack-handed, make-do farmer. The " best chance in the world" slips away from him; his labors are ordered by chance, not by calculation. _ "■Permanent Grass Land'" must get more atten- tion from our farmers. We reiterate the assertion, that we plow too much — and the true maxim is,^ not to "cultivate one acre more," but to enrich one acre more, so that it will yield the crop given by two acres heretofore. GroV more grass, keep more stock, plow less but more thorouglily. I ioin, with "S. W." and "B. F." in caUing.for increased attention to ^^ Grass Culture.'" ^'Artificial Manure for Com^'' is- -well applied by Mr. Taylor. We have often thought that some method should be devised ior feeding corn and other hoed crops, at the time when they become hungry ; that it would be most economical in ma- nure, and largely increase the growth of the crops. Still, increased labor is required, and farmers are slow to adopt methods requiring more work — they thmk their hands are full now as need be. " The Advantages, of Molding Machines'" gets but little further illustration from the articles given this month. My opinion is that they don't pay for the small farmer — but that the large farmer can not afford to do without them — and that no man who has thera can afford to neglect putting his land in order for their use. " Churning Mill vs. Churning Cream'' is a new question with most small dairymen; but for butter makers, churning the milk will undoubtedlv prove most profitable in warm weather. The liiiilk, as Mr. Smith says, will get sour before the cream has all risen, and in very warm weather it is impossibie- 238 THE GE]!<1!;»£E FARMER. But to separate the two as perfectly as desirable we want i)o\vcr cluirns in this case. " The Oonstniction of Barn- Yards'''' on the plan of "J. A.," would not prove the best practically, in my opinion. Unless the hollow was very large, it would at some seasons till to running over, and at all would be "a slough of despond "to those who were compelled to cross it. We will not at- tempt, at present, to otter a better plan. " Stacking and feeding out Straw'" in a proper manner is too often neglected, though labor ex- pended in this direction would be as profitable as any which can be done by the farmer. AVe prefer building the straw stack in the barn-yard, and using it freely for littering yard, sheds, and stables, giving the stock a fair chance to consume all they will, as it is taken from the stack for these purposes. " 17ie New Half- Volume" commencing in July, ought to have several thousand new subscribers. " Only three cents" for a paper like the one before us is unparalleled, cheapness, taking real value into consideration. b. Niagara Co., N. Y., July, 185S. NOTES FOR THE MONTH, -BY S. W. Long Island Wild Lands. — Having recently visited those lands »vhich were advertised in the June No. of the Farmer^ I can now bear testimony with Professor ISTash, (who spent several days in examining this large tract of the great central pla- teau of Long Island,) that every word set forth in Dr. Peck's minute, description of those lauds, as advertised by him, is strictly true. At Deer Park station, on the Long Island rail- road, thirty-seven miles from Xew York, is the farm of the late Mr. Wilson, carved out of these wild wood lands within the last four years. Here was the best field of wheat I had seen, and fifty acres of the handsomest timothy and clover; liere also were the finest fruit trees, gardens, and Indian eorn, growing on the very spot where a late histo- rian of Long Island set down the soil as a " barren sand, approaching fluidity." As Professor Nasq truly said before the Farmers' Club, these plains are not, as has been asserted, " barren sand and gravel," but a "generous loam, finely adapted to garden cul- ture, and capable of producing various crops most profitable to the farmer." If it is asked why these lands have been so long uncultivated, it may in the first place be said, that until lately there was no road through them, and common report had set them down as barren; and when the railroad reached them, the Rip Van Winkles, instead of availing themselves of its advantages, made war upon it as an intruder on their hereditary, time- honored right to transpoi't their truck to New York by the sail craft of the bay, or Long Island Sound. Again, the question may be answered, Yankee fiishion, by asking another: why is it that these fogy farmers have never yet, in a single instance, submitted to the modern improvement in manuring tJheir farms, by plowing in blooming clover for a manuring crop ? I now venture to assert that if the same exhausting process of tillage practiced here, had been applied to a soil less grateful, and in a climate more arid than that of this sea-girt island, such soil would ere this have been reduced to a barren waste, that no verdure quickened, and in which no piani could tiike root. I also noticed at all the other recent clearings on this bushy plain, the same beautiful fields of clover, gardens, and corn-fields. At North Islip station, forty-three miles from New York, the soil in the bushes, after removing the vegetable mould, was three and a half feet deep, — a "yellow sandy loam, apparently rich in plant food ; this was underlaid by that light colored sand and gravel that charac- terizes the subsoil of the Island, forming that uni- versal underdrain which saves the enormous ex- pense of tile draining, so indispensable in western New Y^ork. Yet no region of the State is better watered by springs and lasting streams, and the well water never fails. A short distance from this station is a young peach orchard of eight acres,^ en- circled by the scrub plain ; such healthy trees, filled with perfect fruit, would be called a phenomenon, at this time of stung and diseased peach trees, in western New York. We now went by stage from this station to Islip village, at the bay four miles distant, by a good smooth road through the bushes, descendmg twenty feet to the mile ; here we found a spacious, costly hotel, and many boarding-houses, and genteel tav- erns, without a bar ; fine houses, elegant gardens, and the appearance of both wealth and good taste. Here, for the first time since this hot term, I slept comfortably, under the influence of that cooling sea breeze which is not felt .at New Y''ork and the west- ern part of this Island. Here I feasted on quahaug clams, roasted in the shell as of old, and on the sa- vory horse mackerel, fresh from the bay. The soil here is coarser than that in the interior, but the humid sea air gives a peculiar fulness and brilliancy to the white clover blossoms, unseen on the dry calcareous soils at the west. Land here cannot be bought for much less than $200 the acre, while a better soil, on the uncleared plains four miles dis- tant, is now oftered at $20 the acre. It needs not therefore the spirit of prophecy, to see that this whole bushy region, of many thousand acres, can not much longer remain unsettled, if it only escapes the forestalling land speculator ; one of the genus, I was told, already holds several hundred acres, which he keeps out of the market, declining to sell it for the present at any price. All the way from Brooklyn to Islip, I did not see either a barren, worn out field, or one that needed the expense of draining ; even the time-slandered Hempsted plains were covered with white clover, and bovine herds far and near in the distance. At Hickville station a car was loaded with cans of milk for New York market, — an entire new enterprise, which threatens to extend and rival the Orange county article, which of late is said to taste of naughty slops. There is a homogenousness in the soils of Long Island, that must be interesting to the Hugh Mill- ers of the land. At Green Point, opposite New York, there are some large quartz and granite boulders, apparently strangers, but the same yellow- loam predominates; and in proof of its organic wealth, I saw white clover growing where the sur- face soil had been excavated and taken off to the depth of several feet. On returning west, I could not resist the convic- tion tliat a kind superintending providence had in the beginning made Long Island what it is, with it8 moist, grass favoring atmosphere, almost without a THE GENESEE FAKMER.' 239 swamp, or a waste, inarable, or rocky acre, both welJ^ imderdrained and well watered, and with a quick, easy, grateful and generous soil, to tit it to become in these last days the great fruit and vege- table garden of these great and growing cities ; and while Its soil supplies them with vegetable luxuries pigs and poultry, milk and honey, it is also to re- ceive from the great Babylon those organic wast- ings now festering there in every street, yard and corner, in spite of all present scavenger etibrts, to the deterioration of all adult health and daily nip- ping infant life in the bud and blossom. Creek Side, Buffalo — Ekuits and Vegeta- bles.—This creek intervale overflows in high fresh- ets about seventy rods from the creek, but such is the rare formation of the subsoil for this distance, that the water from the tiles above sinks here from the mam tile drain, without passing through it to its mouth at the creek. Here, with creek water supplied by horse power, is a cold grapery 670 feet long, containing 600 vines, with 175 already in bearing. One year ago not a vine had been plant- ed; but by great attention, judicious cutting in ventilating, watering, &c., many of the vines have now attained three-fourths of an inch in thickness It is supposed that the yield of grapes this season, only about fifteen months after the vines were set out, connot be less than three hundred pounds — Here are 1500 pear trees, principally dwarfs, two years planted ; the frost about the lo'th of May de- stroyed the blossoms of the few earlier planted, so that very tew pears have grown; thus far they have no enemies but the leaf slug, which is readily destroyed by a dusting of lime or ashes; the trees are mulched with tan bark and well cut in, which adds to the root and trunk both. Here also is a new orchard of one and a quarter acres of the Law- on blackberry, half an acre of raspberries, one thousand gooseberry bushes, one thousand bushes animal manure. Next year cabbages will be grown on o d soil, and treated for the tirst time with su- perphosphate of lime. Turnips rarely amount to any thing on these alluvial bottoms. Oree/c Side, July 10, 1S58. g yf _ Postscript.- Grass is the great staple of this re- gion, as It ought to be, for the hard blue clay soon comes to a plowed surface, making underdrains necessary. But such weeds as grow here the tropics cannot rival; and to cap all, there is a run- ning vme, with the tiowers of a morning glory that creeps over all and crowns aU. The wild parsnep, artichoke, elder, &c., &c., grow like Jo- nah s gourd in the night; and what is strange newly broken up old sod is free from these weeds the hrst year. g_ ^ FEEDING OUT CORN-STALKS. of the large white and red cherry currants; two acres of strawberries, from which $200 worth has been sold this season. But although cold graperies promise well liere, the Isabella grape complains of the climate, and does not flourish here as it does in :he region of the Cayuga and Seneca Lake ; hence or outside culture, the small but very early Dela- mre, the Rebecca and Concord, are now substituted lere, and they grow rapidly on this strong alluvial 'Oil. The season for strawberries, late here, was !ut shor t by the dry, hot weather. Pie plant and asparagus are here also in large Jreadth, and have yielded well this season. Owiu"- 0 the wet, backward spring, which is ten davl ater here than at many localities east, kitchen vegetables are late ; but here are four acres of Mes- can potatoes, and the same number in pop corn hat promise well; in tact, the season is rarely if ;ver too hot or dry for corn here, as the cool lake i^uouco is ever present. There is a large breadth »t ghiss here for hot-beds, from which cucumbers tave been sold since 10th May. Tomato plants and aelons are all brought forward with great j)ains loder glass ; but it would be bootless to attempt to •et a remunerating crop, by planting early in the pen air. , Celery flourishes here without "an ene- ay ; but a small white maggot, resembling a cheese -dipper, has this season nearly destroyed the early aboages, by eating them off under the surface of he ground; it is supposed to be brought in by the _ What is the best time, place, and way, of feed- ing corn-stalks to farm stock," is a question upon which we have received some information,— a prize essay having been published in the July No. there- on. We have a few notions of our own, which you ™a7 Ji yo" please lay before your readers. Many farmers, uow-a-days, raise corn-stalks enough, if_ they were properly cured and saved, and then fed out without waste, to winter all their cattle, or at least to make their main food, save what meal or roots may be supplied. And milch cows give more and better milk on corn fodder than on the common run of hay, — at least in our experience. As to the tivie. place, and wai/, briefly. Stalks can be fed out with perfect economy upon hard frozen ground — there is ever loss and waste in warm or wet weather, however well the yard mav be littered. But if one has to feed them, whether the ground is frozen or not, the next best place is u rack or manger to which the cattle are fastened by stanchions, so that they cannot step back and droi. under their feet every stalk they take hold of, be- fore It IS one quarter eaten. They should be fed either here or in the yard — the refuse stalks beino- removed from the manger each day after feeding It IS the poorest policy in the world, to scatter corn-stalks over the fields and lands, for consump- tion by cattle and when fed in the yard it wiU lAr to see that they are well distributed through the manure. The chief advantage of cutting corn-stalks i« that a very little more is consumed, and there are no long stalks to interfere with getting out manure ihis might pay some farmers, but it would not re- munerate us for the extra labor. Sheep will thrive well on corn fodder a portion of the time, but they do not eat them as cleanly as cattle, and hence we would not give them to sheep alone. We have sometimes allowed a small flock of sheep to have the run of the barn-yard in freez- ing weather, while corn-stalks were beino- fed ^^ cattle — not regularly, but occasionally — that they might have the change of food with which they are so well suited at all seasons. jj_ Cement for Stopping Leaks.— A composition of tour pou.Kls of rosin, one pint of linseed oil and one ounce of red lead, applied hot with a brush, will stop leaks in roofs, water casks, etc.— ^. 240 THE GENESEE FAKMER. FERMENTED MANUSE - COMPOSTS. Editors Farmer: — In the June number of your p;^j)er, Mr. .Johnston replies to an assertion of Dr. /Lee's, that manure is injured by turning and stir- ring as in making composts, that such is not the fact. Indeed, Mr. J. carries the idea that manure can hardly be too rotten for economical application to the soil. I can not, from my own experience, say that he is wrong, but will merely call attention to a good authority on the question at issue. Prof. Stockitardt, in his Chemical Field Lectures^ says: " The farmer will always adopt the safest course, who suffers his manure not to putrefy, but merely to commence this process upon tlie muck heap. Ac- cording to the opinion of practical men, this period has set in when the straw assumes a somewhat brownish color, and has become so tender as to be torn readily by the fork in loading. Theory may be represented as agreeing with this decision."— You have taught us to place considerable confidence in the teaching of this German agricultural cliemist, and his reasoning on the subject is forcible and seemingly conclusive. But what we would speak of more particularly, regards the most economical method of m?.king composts. How shall we manage, with the least lahoi\ (an important consideration in this country,) to get the requisite fineness and fermentation to our long manure ? There are several methods employed iu this and other countri&s. One method, practiced in the turnip-growing sections of England, is, to place the contents of the cattle yards in the corners of the fields to be planted, in square piles, about six feet in height. The contents are carried out at one, or at most, two different times during the winter, and no pressure is allowed on the piles, exce]it the weight of a man to spread the materials thinly and evenly over the heap. In this condition fermenta- tion reduces the pile into a saponaceous heap, read- ily divided by forks, and from which in May the heat of fermentation has nearly or quite vanished. Much bullc is lost by this mode of preparation, but the manure is in fine state for applying to crops. Another method, which prepares dung for use with less fermentation and loss of bulk, is to draw out the manure at any time during the winter or eaidy spring, placing it in heaps slojiing at ea'ch end, ■driving the carts over it, and consolidating the mass so that no fermentation takes place. Care is taken to mix the whole evenly as regards quality and moisture, and about ten days before the dung is re- quired for use, the heap is turned over with forks, laid loosely together, the lumps well broken, and the dry outside thrown into the centre. A very active decomposition immediately commences, which is still going on while the manure is being applied to the land, and is plowed in as rapidly as possible. It is claimed for this mode, by the Eng- lish farmers who practice it, that it produces equal if not superior results to that first mentioned ; it affords, larger bulk and more convenience in form- ing the heap at different times through the winter season. Let us submit a query to the reader. If the long straw, stalks, and litter, usually contained in yard manure, had first been passed through a cutting machine, would not the manure be fit for immedi- ate application to tie crops, as taken in spring from iie yard ? Many practi-cal farmers will reply in the affirmative ; but we doubt whether a small quan- tity Avould produce all that effect which the same amount would when fermenting, as used in the second method above described. From our experience with compost heaps, the opinion has been forced upon us, that there is little danger of loss from rain, but rather from the want of it. If the heap is too dry, what little heat may be induced by fermentation will render it still dryer, and it will either burn or dry up in clods and lumps. If rightly wet, it ferments slowly and evenly, and upon turning, falls to pieces, which is just the state desired for thorough incorporation with the soil. If the farmer heaps his dung in the yard, it may be better to make it in small heaps than large ones, the latter have not succeeded with us as well as the former. If Mr. Johnston will favor your readers with a further explanation of his method of forming com- post heaps, he will confer a favor on many, and on none more than on a toung fabsier. Niagara Co., J^. Y., July 15, 185S. BEAN STRAW AS FEED FOR SHEEP. Editors Genesee Farmer: — I have never kept but few sheep — from fifteen to thirty — but have always endeavored to give them the best care within my power, and have always raised more or less beans. Bean straw is without doubt relished by sheep when in good condition, but I have always been more or less troubled to get the straw cured in good order ; and unless it is in good order, I have' never considered it as good feed, as my. sheep al- ways leave it for hay, and even for oat straw and corn-stalks. But again, when the beans have been harvested early and in dry weather, and the straw^ cured in good order, the sheep will leave all other feed for it. But whether bean straw would be profitable for constant feeding I am unable to tell ; I am in favor of changing the food of all animals, and sheep in particular, as they always do better when receiving different kinds of food. As fer as my own experience has taught, and the information I have gained from inquiries of those who make the raising of sheep an important part of the business of the farm, bean straw is valuat)le as feed for sheep, when fed in connection with other kinds ot food, as hay, roots, grain, and other kinds of straw. Beane are readily eaten by sheep, and are valuable as food, but I am of opinion they would prove an unprofit able and possibly an injurious article for steady feeding. While I am upon the subject, let me urge the ne cessity of feeding a few roots, as carrots, turnips, rnta bagas or beets, to sheep. I have always found them of great benefit, especially to ewes with lambs, No kind of feed is relished by sheep in the winter like roots; and in connection with a little grain, hay and bean straw, with occasional salting and free access to water, there will be no doubt but that sheep will do well. They should have conve nient sheds to protect them from storms in winter, as it is almost impossible to keep an animal in good condition when exposed to the cold and storms of our winters. ' b — < ■ Many farmers are too sparing of seed wheat. Thin seeding has a tendency to produce late crops,i' and increases the danger of injury from the midge/ THE GEITESEE FARMER. 241 HOW FARMEKS LOSE MONEY. Farming without profit is a money-losing busi- ness. Farming neglectful of practices known to ensure larger crops, is a money-wasting business. Farming with mistaken ideas of economy, saves cent= to throw away dimes — spares a few days' work and gets but half what the soil would give with better treatment. Let us give a few illustrations. To begin Avith a minor instance, farmers lose money by neglecting to study the ADAPTATION OP CROPS TO SOILS. It is well known that almost every crop and pro- duct succeeds best in some one kind of soil, and that these preferences vary as widely as soils vary. One kind of soil is a corn soil, another a wheat soil, another suits rye, and another cat-tail flags and bulrushes. Let us try, then, to so plan our operations as to give (as far as a judicious rotation will allow and our farms admit) each crop the soil which suits it. And there is room here for a care- ful study of the affinities of soils and products; — we commend the subject to the agricultural writing public. Farmers lose money by a neglect of the maxim that all POOK SOILS MUST BE MANURED before they can become productive of valuable crops. To grow, a plant must receive suitable food — it can be starved as readily as man or beast. And yet, how much of the unprofitable farming to be seen, results from attempting to grow crops on worn or impoverished soils without mamtre. The corn crop, for instance, is a comparative failure on all but good soils, from want of food to thrive upon, — from lack of abundant and ready prepared nutri- ment to hasten its growth so that it may reach maturity in season. An acre of land, of suitable soil, rich, deeply tilled, planted in good season, and thoroughly and cleanly cultivated, will produce more corn than five acres, poor, skim-tiiled, late- planted, and half-cultivated, and at perhaps one- half the expense of the latter. The question of deep or skim-plowing needs fur- ther illustration. An acknowledged requisite of large productiveness is A DEEP AND MELLOW SOIL. A large hill of corn, a thrifty growth of wheat, grass, oats, or barley, must have roots and rootlets equally large and thrifty ; and such only grow in a deep, mellow soil. With plenty of room and food for the roots, the whole plant will correspond; with a shallow or cloddy soil, the roots are only adequate to a small growth above ground — they can neither find nor carry up the nourishment requisite to a large product. It may be said that some soils are already too light and mellow ; but such are rare. We have had no experience in their culture, and doubt their being very attractive to agricultural labor. Farmers, again, lose money by UNSEASONABLE SEEDING — by sowing and planting when only a remarkable season can produce a favorable result. Spring grains are sown when in the usual course of nature tbe summer drouth must injure them seriously ; corn is planted when frost is most likely to find it " in the milk ;" wheat is gotten in too late to with- stand the winter and just in time for the midge — the farmer taking a risk no insurance company would venture upon without the highest premium. CLEAN CULTURE is an acknowledged necessity of profitable farming. Is it a matter of small importance to a growing- plant whether it has the field to itself, or whether weeds surround it and rob it of a portion of the nourishment supplied by the soil? Experience teaches that it is not — observation will show us that we can not feed a vagabond with the bread which belongs to our faithful servants, unless they go hungry for the same. Lastly, (for this time, at least,) farmers lose money by not heeding the injunction, "DON'T ATTEMPT TOO MUCH," /. e., more than they can carry out thoroughly and systematically. Don't let us attempt to grow cat- tail flags on good corn soil — to raise a "premium crop" of any kind on an exhausted soil without manure — to feed plants with brickbats and inert subsoil — to plant when we should be hoeing — or to raise grain and weeds at the same time, expect- ing both to flourish; — but attempt only what we can give due preparation, manure, time, and cul- ture ; and the number of ways (they seem almost innumerable) in which " farmers lose money" will be slightly less. J. n. bixby, . Eoyalton, Magara Co., N". Y., 1S5S. COST OF RAIL FENCES. The expense of fencing a farm per acre has been variously estimated at from three to six dollars per acre, and one curious in statistics might readilv calculate the total value of fencing in this country. Probably, at the lowest, it would amount to $500,- 000,000, with an annual expense for repairs of $50,000,000 more. The interest on capital invested in fences, and in woodland required for renewal, would swell the amount to about one lillion of dollars — a pretty snug sum truly. A rail fence put up on our little farm, a few years since, gave us a chance to figure cost as fol- lows : The material was black ash rails, costing, delivered, (a very low rate,) $20 per thousand. About 12 rails to the rod are allowed for a seven- rail fence; so a thousand rails make 83.3 rods. One-half the boundary fence of the lot (about 166 by 28 rods, and containing 22 acres,) will require 2,350 rails, costing $47. Two cross fences, at least, are necessary. These will take 675 raDs more, worth $13.50. So, for rails alone we must lay out over $60. The cost of laying the fence, with stakes and caps, will be at least six cents per rod ; which brings up the cost of this rail fence to $75 — about $3.41 per acre, the size of the fields averaging seven and a half acres. Perhaps we have estimated staking and capping too low, as we have not the figures to refer to. We know that before they were added, there was an added expense of relaying the fence after very high winds, which would go some way toward pro- viding them. A YOUXG farmer. One of the best pieces of spring wheat in this vicinity last year was sown about the first of -Tune. It was too late for the midge, and escaped entirely. Adjoining fields, sown early, were much injured. 242 THE GENESEE FARMER. PLOW DEEPER. Messrs. Editors : — ■ There seems to exist quite a diversity of opinions in regard to the proper dei)th that land should be plowed. Many, and, in my opinion, too many, advocate sliallow plowing. What is the use, say they, of plowing up the sand and clay, and burying the manure and the soil out of the reach of the plants? Let us reason together. What is the use of plowing at all ? Is it not that we may pulverize the soil and bring it ^'o such a state that the little roots and fibres of tlie plant may shoot out and gather uj) whatever they can lind to nourish it? Is it not to incorporate the manure with the soil and make it of a uniform consistency as it regards quality, etc. ? Now, the deeper you make the soil, the deeper will the roots penetrate, and the more nourishment will they be likely to find, and the less liable will they be to in- juries from drouth. Plow deep. Don't fear bury- ing the manure so deep that the roots will not find it ; they can and will go as deep as you can by any plow ever made. It is possible you may not realize 80 good a crop the first year by burying the manure deeply. You will not lose. The next year you will have deeper soil, and in a short time your land will of course be nearly double tlie depth of soil. What makes bottom lands so much better than most uplands? Is it not the depth of soil ? If you think you have not manure suffi(;ient to make such a soil tlie first year, or must have the benefit im- mediately, act accordingly, but begin immediately. If you can plow but four indies this year, plow six the next, and increase annually till you get the soil deeper than you can get the point of your plow. I may appear somewhat dogmatical in my advice ; but this is of small consequence provided I can dogmatize some into the practice who are now utterly opposed to it. What runs a farm out, as it is called? Is it not shoal plowing — a scratch over the soil, as if you were afraid of getting out of the reach of the sun and air? I verily believe this is the principal cause ; and the remedy must be the reverse course of management. Sand Brov}:^ N. J. .1. T. SERGEANT. ON THE CULTIVATION OF BEANS. Editors Genesee Farmer: — I saw a communi- cation from J. II. B., in the June No., on raising beans as a field crop. As I have raised beans for four years past, (the last year I planted seventeen acres,) I thought I would give you my experience in the matter, which, in some points, does not agree with J. H. B. In the first place, in regard to soil ; a great many believe that to raise good beans you must have poor land. I have often heard the re- mark that such and such soil was so poor that it would not raise white beans ; and I once heard the committee of a county agricultural society say it was of no use to oft'er a premium on beans, for if we manured our land it would spoil it for beans — if we wanted good beans we must have poor land. I have tried all kinds of soil, and have always raised the best beans on the richest land. One year I ma- nured about an acre, and planted the rest without manure. The part I manured ripened earliest and evenest, and yielded about twice as nauch as the other. Last year I planted on a piece of green 5ward, plowed in the spring. The soil was a clay loam, and it had been tilled but a little. On one acre, where there was once a straw stack fed out, I had thirty-three and a half bushels, and they ri- pened the evenest of any in the lot. Any ground that will raise good corn will raise good beans — the richer the soil the better. I plant about tlie first of June. Plow deep, drag it smooth, mark the rows three feet apart, and plant the hills about eighteen inches apart in the row; give from five to seven beans to the hill; culuvate and hoe enough to keep them clean. As soon as the pods have all turned yellow, pull them, and if the giound is very dry, and dry weather, tiirow them into heaps and let them get tlioroughly dried; then draw them in. But if the weather should be wet, pull them and throw them into small heaps: then take a stake, cut ofi:' all the knots smooth, and stick it firmly in the ground; lay down two s;icks, thr«e or four inches in diameter, and place three or four pieces of board or stove wood across them, to make a platform to keep the beans otf the ground; then take up the beans and place them around the stake. I make the stack about two and a half feet in diameter, and as high as I can reach. Top them out well. It makes no difference whether the pod.s are outside or inside. Beans stacked in this way will not wet in so but what they will dry out in half a day's good weather. By stacking them on sticks in that way, it gives a chance for the wind to circulate under them. Let them stand until tliey are thorougldy dry, then pull out the stake before pitching them on the wagon ; draw them in the barn, mow them away, and let them remain until winter ; then thresh them out. The kind I raise I do not know any name for ; they are a medium sized white bean, ripen in about three months from the time they are planted, and all ripen at once. c. inman. Bay, Macomh Co., Mich,, June 15, 1S58. TKIN SEEDING AND HOEING WHEAT. I HAVE just been counting my hand-hoed wheat, and the results so astonish me that I hardly dare credit my own count. The roots average a trifle over thirty stalks each, and the least number of grains to the head is seventy-two. At this rate, allowing four seeds to the hill and the hills two feet apart, v/e get from an acre of cultivated wheat over one hundred bushels, ana this from less than six pounds of seed to the acre. Ordinary wheat weighs 898,560, grains to the bushel, and at the above rate — giving one root to each square foot of surface — we get from the acre 104,089,600 grains of wheat, which amounts to a trifle less than one hundred and sixteen bushels. These figures look large, but I believe are correct. At any rate, the facts of the growth are correct. Who will try an acre, four grains to the hill and the hills two fe>et apart each Avay, and cultivate thoroughly, and re- port next August in the Qenei-ee Farmer ? You will recollect last harvest I reported some ]irolific wheat. This that I now count from is of that root, and yields over two thousand one hun- dred and sixty fold. I always thought old Jethro TuLL was right, and now I know he was right. Bochester, Ind., July 15, 185S. CIIAS. BEACKETT. P. S. Give this an early insertion, as the wheat should be in by the middle of August to escape rust : I think better the middle of July. o. b. THE GENESEE FARMER. 243 DISEASES OF THE HOESE. Editors Genesee Farmer : — I have had much to do with horses for forty years, and trading con- siderably, I have had disordered hoi'ses put on me by unprincipled jockies, and I have therefore a goodly number of remedies for their diseases, many of which have never been published. I propose, therefore, to give the readers of your valuable little monthly some of my remedies, and hope that others will not hold back any valuable information they may possess. Many, truly, are so contracted in their feelings, prompted by the prospect of gain, that if they have any important remedy lor the iUs of the horse, or of the human family, they cannot upon any consideration make its preparation known. " No, indeed ! this is my craft," say they ; and they are stealthily preparing and sending out the worst of impositions among the people. Every honora- ble, high minded man, who is influenced by proper motives, is not only willing but anxious to contri- bute his mite for the general good. Now an op- portunity is otfered through the columns of the Genesee Farmer, which I think all must admit is not only the cheapest, but in reality the best paper of the kind for the size. A Remedy for Bots. — To one pint of strong sage tea mix one pint of molasses, and add from two to four ounces of jjowdered alum, and pour it down. la from two to four hours give a good dose of oil or sabs, unless it works off without. It is very difficult to drench some horses; they will not swal- low when put into their mouths. In that case pour it in at the nose, if a common drench that is not too strong; whiskey, turpentine, soap, &c., are too strong to give by the nose. For Distemper. — Give a horse one or two ounces of tar, twice a day; put it in their mduths off of tlie tar-paddle, and they will generally swallow it. "When he swells under the throat, smoke his nose well with cotton rags, feathers, &c., to forward the discharge of matter, and when that begins to ap- pear, pour a table-spoonful of tincture of camphor into each ear once a day. His food should be light — green if to be had, with bran and oats, with a spoonful of tincture of camphor in his bran every day. The camphor in the ears and food may not need to be given more than every other day ; you must be guided by the urgency of the case. For Cholio. — Dissolve as much salt as will do in a pint of warm water, then add a pint of vinegar ; give the horse half the mixture, and if that does not relieve him in half an hour, give him the bal- ance, and a cure may be expected. A Dutch cure, by which many horses have been cured, is to urinate in the right shoe and pour it into the left ear, or vice versa. For Founder. — A recent founder may be easily cured by giving, if a large horse, a pint of salt dis- solved in water, at a single drench ; give him exer- cise but no water for a fcAV hours after, and then sparingly for a day or two; feed light, and green would be preferable. For Sweeney. — Take equal parts of good whis- key and pure clear spirits of turpentine, shake well, and pour on a small quantity and rub it in, whether shoulder or hip ; then bathe it in well with a hot iron. You will most likely have to confine the horse to keep him from biting the part. Keep him out of the weather, feed light, and let him rest. — Repeat the operation about every third day. Strong salt water rubbed on the part every other day, as hot as can be used without burning, will cure the Sweeney on some horser, and they may be worked moderately all the time. For Fistula. — Before matter collects, roast a good parcel of poke root, and when thoroughly done split them open and take out the hard pith ; lay the pieces with split side down on a cloth ; be quick, and when a place as large as your two hands is covered lay another cloth on, — or it the one is large enough, turn it over the top of the roots, — raise it up on your hand and press it on the swell- ing, split side of the roots downward. The horse will rear, and possibly kick, but hold it on until it cools. It may be necessary to repeat the operation in a day or two, if the swelling does not begin to go down. If it breaks, treat it as described in the May No. for poll evil. Condition Powders. — Take rosin, aloes, coppe- ras, and saltpetre, of each one-fourth pound, and powder them well ; then take half pound of anise seed, grind fine, and mix all together thoroughly. Give one or two table-spoonfuls every two or three days. Draw out the tongue gently, put the mix- ture far back and let go. With generous feed, you will in a few weeks see quite a change in the ap- pearance of your rough-coated horse. Neosho, Mo., June, ISriS. A. TOUNXJ. HOVEN m CATTLE. Messrs. Editors : — I have had occasion this spring to notice the effect of clover on cattle, as to bloating. I have had them bloated, and relieved them by tying a large rope in the mouth and above the horns, by which means the gas has escaped and they w^ere cured. Sometimes I have just watched them, and in a quarter or half an hour the bloating has subsided. My conclusion now is, that where cattle are in clover when wet either with dew or rain, the eye of the owner must be upon them, in readiness to relieve if they are very much pained. I think some chemical agent poured into the stom- ach, so as to change or decom[iose the gas genera- ted there, would be the best and readiest mode of relief. The great point is to watch them when there is a probability of their bloating, and be ready to give them lirompt relief. I lost our best cow week before last. She had a tendency to bloating, either from her greediness, or constitutionality. I had relieved her several times, but one morning the boys turned the cows out of the field into the road; they went off, and in about twenty minutes she was dead, though she showed no symi)toms of unea.si- ness when turned out. I have experimented in various ways, by turning them in for an liour, an hour and a half, or two hours, still watching them; I have also left them in all day, and think on the whole that is the best way, if they are well watched. Mamfeld, Ohio. CHAKLES PALMEE. ^^..^ Kicking Cows. — I have a way to stop kicking cows, or to keep them from stepping while milking. It is this : I begin quite moderate, and when they hoist a foot I give the teats a jerk ; by following UiL-* up it will stop any cow, for a cow very much dislikes to have her teats jerked. If a cow gets in the habit of starting off, I hold on to the teats as hard as I can, which soon cures her of that caper. . * — Gibson., Pa, 244 THE GENESEE FARMER. FOOT EOT m SHEEP. Messes. Editors : — I notice Mr. "W. Brown's in- quiry about foot rot in sheep. " 1st Cause :" Soft, s[)ongy land is most generally the cause, but stand- ing iu dirty yards, on their own manure, is some- times the cause. Overstocking is often the cause; the land becomes foul; the sheep only eat the herbage because hunger compels them, and not be- cause they relish it ; this will cause foot rot, scab, and ticks. "Cure:" Pare the diseased feet thor- oughly with a sharp knife. When much diseased, the hoof separates from the sensitive parts, and that part of the hoof must every particle be removed. Then apply a salve composed of pulverized blue vitriol with lard or butter; if in hot weather, it is better to mix a little tar with the salve, to make it more adhesive. The best way to pulverize the vit- riol, is to hang up an iron pot witli a rope or chain, put in a half pound of vitriol, and then a canon ball ; by taking hold of the pot with both hands, and giving it a certain motion, which any man will soon find out, the ball rolls on the vitriol and pul- verizes it, and the finer it is ground the better. The whole flock sliould have their feet examined and pared — sound and unsound — paring off" all loose hoof of the unsound, and the salve applied to both sound and unsound. The unsound should be sepa- rated from the sound, and at the expiration of about three days give the unsound another dressing with the salve, examining closely to see that the paring has been effectually done. Go over the sound ones in a week after the first dressing, and give them another dressing with salve between the hoofs, and if none are found ailing they may need no further at- tention, but it is safer to give them two more dress- ings, say ten days to a fortnight apart. The un- sound should be dressed every three or four days for three or four times, when they ought to be cured ; but it is safe to give them a dressing once in two weeks for several times. It requires great vigilance to effect a cure. The disease is as contagious as the plagrte. I have seen young lambs, at four days old, walking on their knees to save their sore feet. When the State of New York contained over six millions of sheep, the foot rot prevailed to an alarming extent; but now that the State contains only about three milhons there is very little foot rot, or at least I do not hear much of it. If Mr. B.'s land is soft and wet, he will have to reduce his sheep stock or drain liis land, or he wont keep them cured. A hardpan subsoil which comes near the surface is bad for foot rot, because the soil remains long wet after every rain. Shallow surface drains, say about seven inches deep, (they can be made by the plow,) help such land wonderfully for sheep pastures, and in fact on all wet hilly land they do ranch good. The drains should not be straight up and down the hill, but slanting, — the furrow being turned to the lower side, which prevents it from filling up the ditch. Persevere, Mr. B., — study and apply common sense, along with the hints I have now penned, and I know you will succeed. Near Geneva, N. Y. JOHN JOHNSTON. "The cause of the disease in sheep called Foot- Rot," (inquired for by W. Browx,) is usually con- tagion with infected animals, or with the virulent dischargo from the same. It is sometimes said to appear in a mild form, attended with little or no danger, but this is not often the case, and these mild attacks are often followed by those of the se- verest kind. It was first known in Germany, after the introduction of the Merino sheep, and has prob- ably followed them to England and this country. Foot-rot first shows itself, says an English writer, in the limping gait of the animal, which gradually increases ; generally commencing with one of the fore feet, afterward both are affected, and at last this lameness exfcends to the hinder feet, with in- creasing bodily weakness. The diseased foot is hot and swollen, and the skin of the coronet is inflamed. An acnd humor exudes, which thickens on expo- sure to the atmosi^Jiere, and . inflames and destroys the surrounding skin, and in time, if neglected, the very foot itself. It oftenest occurs among the finest wooled sheep, and is of a very infectious nature, spreading through an entire flock in a month or two, and often taken by sound sheep from merely passing through pastures or over roads where those infected have recently been driven. The cheapest and least troublesome remedy, is that promulgated by Mr. Howland, of Cayuga co., N., Y., through the Albany Cultivator, some twelve years ago. He has used it very successfully, eradi- cating the disease entirely from his large but badly affected flock. It consists in simply mixing flour sulphur with the salt given to the sheep, in a pro- portion just sufficient to discolor perceptibly the salt, or about one twentieth part. They are regu- larly fed with this mixture the season through. In large quantities the material is very cheap, and its administration is attended with but slight trouble. An Ohio wool-grower of long and large experi- ence, relates; in one of the early volumes of the Oliio Farmer, his experience in curing foot-rot in sheep. His practice was different from Mr. How- land's, and his success for a long time doubtful; but he at last succeded in eradicating it from his flock. He bought a few over one hundred high- bred, fine- wooled ewes, knowing they had the rot, but thinking to cure it with little difl^culty. With nippers and sharp knives the diseased parts of the hoof were clipped and pared away, as long as any appearance of unsoundness was seen. The feet were then immersed in a solution of blue vitriol and vinegar, as strong as the liquid would dissolve when boiling hot, holding them in long enough for the powerfully corrosive solution to penetrate the foot thoroughly. This was done to every foot, of every sheep, whether they showed signs of disease or not. They also had about half a pound of sul- phur in their salt once in two weeks. This treat- ment was followed up, at intervals of ten days or more, nearly eighteen months, — for though they often appeared to be cured, the disease would break out again with renewed violence. He finally placed those which remained cured for two weeks in a sep- arate enclosure, and hurying the last case, removed the disease entirely. Other remedies might be mentioned, but the above are probably as good a« any, and we will not detain the reader. * In the last Farmer I notice the inquiry, " Is the foot rot in sheep contagious?" It is estabhshed among the farmers here that it is, and my own ex- perience in the matter is as follows : — I had a very fine flock of sheep, divided into three lots, or flocks. At the time of washing I was sick and not able to THE GENESEE FARMER. 245 be out. and directed my men to take the sheep to the washing-place and wash them, each flock by themselves:; but before they got to the place, a large flock of skeep, having the foot-rot very badly, liad been put in; as soon as they were out, mine followed in two flocks, one after the other. When through with these, the men came for their dinner ^nd the third flock of sheep ; I inquired what had detained them, and they told me such a flock was in before them. I then directed them to take the other flock to another place, where there had been no foot-rot ; they did so, and that flock escaped the rot, but botii the others had it in about two weeks, aearly every sheep in the flock at the same time; and i have never known a flock escape having it, that had beea exposed in the same way. S. M. Ely, — Ripley^ Ghautauque Co.^ N. T. In the July number of the Farmer, Mr. Brown, ©f Clark county, Ohio, wishes to know the cause and cure of foot-rot. It is caused by running in wet pastures, and is contagious. To cure, take equal parts of sulphate of copper (blue vitriol) and verdigris, pulverize, and apply after paring ofl" the foot to get at the part affected. E. A. G. Hyde. — East Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y. MULES vs. HORSES. CITEE FOR FOirNDER IN HORSES. Ik the February No. of the Genesee Farmer, page 55, is found a receipt for founder in horses, 1 will give you mj plan, which I have followed for thirty years, more or less, and have never known it fail : "When a horse is exposed by eating grain, or drink- ing when hot, I take a rope or stout strap and tie up one foot so that he cannot get it to the ground, thus compelling him to stand on three legs ; I then take a nail gimlet and bore into the frog of the foot until I start fresh blood. If the horse has not been foundered before, and the operation is speedily per- formed, a cure will be accomplished : twenty-four hours after the founder may be too late. The gim- let will bring out clotted blood, but by perseverance fresh blood will come, if the work has not been too long deferred. Great care must be exercised, or the horse, by a quick start, will twitch the gimlet' out of the hand, get his foot loose, and stamp the gimlet into his foot ; this would ruin the horse. If a gimlet can not be had, a sharp knife, or any thing that will let out tlie blood under tbe frog, will an- swer the purpose. Also, by boring into the frog of the foot of any horse, you can tell whether the horse is foundered any, or how bad. If badly foundered, it will be difficult to start blood ; if only partially, particles of clotted blood will appear in the gimlet. Gibson, Siisquehannah Co., Pa. • To MAKE A GOOD Cemext Cellar Bottom. — Take one-third hydraulic cenient to two-thirds good clean coarse sand, (very coarse,) put on two inches thick, all put on at once. The sides may be of the same, put on in two coats, three- fourths of an inch thick each. H. B. Ward. — Sugar Greek, Ind. Large Yield of Corn. — Dr. J. "W. Parker, of Columbia, South Carolina, according to the report of a committee of the State Agricultural Society, raised the premium crop of Indian corn, amounting to two huTidred bicshels and twelve qiuirts per acre. The mule, in some parts of the country, is taking the place of the horse, t > a great extent, and if our farmers would make experiments to find the rela- tive value of the two, they would adopt the mule to a much greater extent than they have done here- tofore. We should try to have those animals which will cost the least for raii?ing and keeping, and do the most work, as tar as we possibly can ; and in order to do this, I know of no better ])lan than to learn the experience of the farmers, through the agricultural papers. I think mules are preferable to horses in several respects; — 1. They are much more easily kept than horses. They eat less than horses, — are better able to sus- tain themselves on wild pasture, — will stand harder treatment, coarser and inferior fare, and do not give as much trouble. Their bill for shoeing and doctoring is not one-half as much. The cost of raising a horse, till it is three years old, is variously estimated at from $35 to $85, and of the mule, for the same length of time, from $20 to §30, and sometimes even less. 2. They are more easily disposed of, in lots, at any time, at good prices ; prices ranging from $90 to §130, and in some places, good, large sized five- year-olds bring from $175 to $200. 3. They are fit for service much sooner than horses. At two years old, they are generally con- sidered capable of performing labor, while the horse is not for at least a year later. 4. They are almost entirely exempt from disease, and such diseases as they are liable to, are easily cured. The horse, being excitable and suspicious, is easily urge:! to a mucli greater amount of exer- tion than he can bear, especially so with speed ; but the mule, being calm and pertinacious, is able to resist all the stimulants to over-exertion. 5. They live to a much greater age than horses, having been known to attain the age of seventy- years. They are strong and good workers at the age of twenty-rive to thirty years, or more. The average age of the mule is twice that of the herse. If mules are managed properly in breaking, not one in ten will be stubborn. In plowing corn, &c., they do not break down near as much as horses. Laceyaryille, Ohio, F. — — ^ I ^ Fattening Sheep. — About the beginning of Oc- tober I set apart the sheep that I intend to make fat, put them into a good pasture, and give them a little grain once or twice a day ; on-s bushel of grain at this season is better than two bushels in cold weather. When winter begins to set in, I prefer a shed open to the south, with cribs to hold their feed. In the morning I give them peas in the^ straw, cut green, and turnips after; a couple of sheaves of oats at noon, and turnips and peas at night. Common sheep, fed in this way, can be made in the spring worth $8 or $10. Those that are disposed to feed sheep or cattle, ought to raise three or four acres of Swedish turnips; feeding on grain is expensive, and sometimes does not pay very well. Give them plenty of litter, and as many tur- nips as they can eat, and you will have a heaj) of manure that will pay you for your trouble, and of far more value than all the composts of old loaves, old shoes, and old trash, that you can scrape to- gether. W, X.— London, G. W. 246 THE GEKl\;SEE FARilEB. AN INTEEESTING LETTES FROM INDIANA. Eds. Genesee Farmeu: — 1 have been a reader of voiir valuable paper for some years, and I have tliouirht of many questions which I would like to liave argued through it, but the idea of having both the Farmer and questions answered for fifty cents, w;is, I thought, too much of a good thing. I have tried to get others to subscribe; but their answer is, I am taking one or more weekly newspapers, and can not take any more. Now, I can not, nor will not, do without a paper containing the general jiL'ws; but I do not consider the Genesee Farmer as interfering with those papers, for when they are rend they are destroyed; for although they con- tain a vast anrount of useful matter, it is almost iriipossible to find anything for the want of an iiidex. I have often seen valuable receipts in those IKxpers, but when they are needed they can not be found. Now I would say to all persons, give your recei{)te to a paper published in the form and man- ner of the Genesee Farmer, and the receipts, paper and all, will be preserved, for such a paper is nothing more nor less than an unbound book. I am surprised at not seeing more advertisements of forming and other labor-saving implements in your paper. Very often such advertisements come at a time when the fanner has no idea of ever wanting anything of the kind; but perhaps in the course of a few months something may turn up that will cause him to want something of the kind, and all he has to do (if the advertisement has not been continued up to the time) is to consult some of his lack numbers; whereas, in a paper containing general news, it would have been destroyed. I would like to liave a little advice from you, or some of your correspondents,, upon the manner of fittening hogs. I believe it is generally considered tliat farmers are not a very intelligent class, or at least not very scientific. Now, if' some of those persons entertaining these opinions were to visit our part of the country, they would come to the conclusion that we had constructed our hog pens on a scientific princijde — provided our principal object was the Avaste of manure. I will describe one of these pens — and they are all about alike, — not that I want any of your readers to copy after tlicm, but that tliey may assist us in remedying tljis great evil, namely, the waste of manure. The pi\'at oljject in making the selection of the ground foi- the pen, is to get a rolling piece of land, with a stream of water flowing through. It is fenced, and a pen made of rails, generally without a roof, for the reception of the corn. This land is nice and dry until the rains set in; then if you could see us with a basket of corn on our shoulders, wading through the mud, hunting for a place where the corn will not sink so deep but that the hogs may find it by taking considerable of a dive into the nnid, you could give us another chapter in the ex- pei'ience of former Slapdash. 8iime years ago, an article was published in the Geuisee Farmer, showing the great benefit it would be to the western farmer to feed his grain to hogs and cattle, it costing so much less to send the meat than the grain to a distant market. But one great object of the article was to show the large amount of fertilizing matter that was left upon the farm ; tut so far as the manure is concerned, we gain •nothing, for it is all washed off by the stream of water. Now what I want you to do is to convince us, if you can, by facts and figures, that hogs can be fattened in a small wooden pen cheaper, to say nothing about the manure, than by our mode. Some of our best farmers believe that swine will not fatten well on a wooden floor. A pen could be built of wood to feed in, but unless the corn wa» shelled or crushed, they would carry it into the mud. Then of course we must provide oui-selves with a crusher, and in that there is some difiiculty. I have consulted our report of the State Fair for 1854 and 1855. The reporter says he inquired of the exhibitors of fat cattle whether they used crushers, and how they liked them. Their answers were that they had not mucli of an opinion of them, for they require too much labor for the profit, and that they wear out too soon. I, of course, do not expect you to give an opinion concerning the last or value of any particular crusher, but Tdo think the manufacturers ought to satisfy the public that their machines will not only crush well, but that they Avill last long enough to repay the purchaser. Pike Co., Iiul. GEO. W. MASSEY. LETTER FROM NEBRASKA. Messrs. Editors: — I am situated on the Platte Valley, the "Garden of Nebraska" — so called by Nebraskians — about sixty miles west of the Mis- souri river, on the north side of the Platte or Ne- braska river, which is from half to one mile wide, current swift, water shallow and turbid, full of sand bars and shifting sands, which render it un- navigable. The valley is from three to ten miles wide ; soil various, from river sand to a stilF b}-ick clay, but mostly of a black sand and clay inter- mixed, overlaying a stratum of black clay, which rests on quicksand. Timber is scarce, mostly Cot- tonwood, with a few elms, oaks, etc., mostly on islands and along the borders of the streams. As it is but two years the first of April last, since the first settler located in this vallej^ west of the Elk Horn river — a tributaiy of the Platte, about thirty miles west of the Missouri — we have done but little towards raising our own supplies, but have large crops of corn, potatoes and buckwheat, and some fields of spring wheat and oats. The grains look fine. Corn, although got in very late, owing to wet weather in May, is doing well, — ex- cept that on sod, which is backward and does not promise much. The valley, for about a mile and a half along tlie river and military road, is all claimed, with all the islands and timber on the north shore to the mouth of the Loup Fork, about ninety miles from the Missouri ; also up the Loup for twenty-five miles to the old Mormon fording-place, where they have a town of some eighty families. There is also a set- tlement of Germans at Grand Island, about thirty miles east of New Fort Kearney and ninety mile?- west of the Loup. Both the above settlements were commenced last season. There is considera- ble game here, consisting of elk, deer, and antelope. Wolves are also plenty. e. h. bliven. Buchanan, Platte Co., 2i^. T., June 2", 3858. To RID SnEEP OF Ticks, and cure the scab on cattle, feed sulphur with the salt, at intervals of a few days, three or four times. THE GE]!TESEE FAEMER. 247 A MISSOTrRT FARM. "We recently visited the farm of Mr. Richard CrEXTRY, of Pettis county, Mo., and a.s we have frequently seen flattering accounts of large farms in otltpr States, we have concluded to furnish a de- scription of this farm to our readers, in order to show that Missouri is not behind her sister States in large farms or good ferming. The farm of Mr. Gentry contains seven thou- sand acres of land, three thousand five hundred acres of which are under excellent fence, and in a high state of cultivation. It is divided, chiefly, into lots of forty acres — making over thirty miles of fence on the farm. Tlie fence is mostly made of rails, with stakes and riders, and kept up in the best condition. There is, however, a mile and a quarter of post and board fence on the farm, and ■some two miles of Osage Orange hedge, wliich, however, has not yet been turned out. Tbere are on the form sixty-five large gates, of the best construction, and about the same number of draw-bars. The gates and bars are made in a large carpenter sliop, in rainy weather, when the hands can be employed at nothing else. All of the implements are put in repair at such times, and many of the simpler ones manufactured. About two-thirds of the farm consists of high rolling prai- rie, of an excellent quality of soil, and the remain- ing third is in timber, immediately adjoining the prairie. There are fourteen hundred acres of the form set in blue grass, seven hundred and fifty acres in clo- ver and timothy meadow, three hundred and twenty acres in corn, one hundred and sixty acres in oats, twenty acres in Hungarian millet, and the balance of the farm under fence is in woods pasture. There are on the farm twenty-seven large, ai-tifi- cial ponds, many of them of much depth, affording stock an abundance of water at all seasons of the year. During our visit three stone masons were employed in erecting large stone pillars in various parts of the farm, at the outlets of streams, in which large water gates were to be hung, so that in case of freshets, which are common on large prairies, the gates would open by the action of the water, and close when the water had passed, and prevent the fence from being washed away, and the escape of stock from one field to another. One of the most striking features observable is, that on this immense farm, not a single weed is to be seen. Even the fence corners, those common receptacles of all that is foul, on most farms, are as clean of v/eeds as any city lawn. What do farmers who have but two or three hundred acres under cultivation, say to this? Here are upwards of thirty ttiiles of fence, without a weed or briar sur- rounding it, while many farms, with only a mile or two of fence, raise enough weeds to seed the whole neighborhood! The whole farm is a pattern of neatness. The hands pass over every field, as often as it is necessary, and pull up every burr, briar and weed that dares to show itself. Thi^ has been done for many years, until the weeds are subdued, Mr. Gentry has been a large sheep grower. Some fifteen years ago, finding the market dull for horses and mules, he concluded to try sheep. He accordingly procured from Kentucky some 400 Siead of the best Saxon and Spanish merino ewes, as the foundation of the future flock. The^e he raised for a number of years, increasing the size of his flock till it ranged for many years from two tliousand eight hundred to three thousand head. He went to great expense in procuring the liest bucks, and, by judicinus management, obtained a very superior flock. For the last four or five year.s he has been crossing his flock witii the French me- rino, paying as high as one hundred and fifty dol- lars per head for the bucks, lie has some imported bucks of this breed now on his farm. He tbints the French merino superior to the Saxony or Sp.m- ish merino, as po-^sessing more constitution, greater, weight of carcass, mucli greater weight of wool, though not of as fine a quality, yet sutficiently so to command as high a price in market. lie has had the very best success in raising sheep ^ — ■ las flock has never been atfected by any contagious disorders, and many of the diseases so prevalent at the East have been entirely unknown in his herd. He has recently reduced the size of his flock to about 1000 head, for the purpose of giving more attention to raising mules. He is already quite ex- tensively engaged in this business, but intends to give it more prominence hereafter. There are kept constantly employed on the farm twelve grown hands and six boys. Our readers may wonder how so large a farm can be so well managed by this small number of hands. It was a wonder to us until we saw the perfect system of Mr. Gentry's plans. Every thing moves like clock work. There is a time for every thing, and every thing must be done in its time. There is no huriy and flurry — but every thing moves along evenly and quietly. Each piece of work is attended to till it is done. But system is not the only secret of his success. All of the best labor saving implements and machines are used by him — so that with one man he is able, in many kinds of work, to perform the labor of ten men. By this means he is able to accomplish this vast amoant of work. Mr. Gentry has a number of buildings erected, in which he carries on, for his own use, various op- erations not common among farmers. For instance, there is a large mill house, where all the meal for the family and stock is ground, and where various other mills and machines are used. There is also a large slaughter house, with kettles set in arches, and an excellent apparatus for rendering out lard. Then there is a tool house, a carpenter shop, a har- ness house, a shop for making sliingles, &c., &c. — There is also an excellent pair of Fairbanks' cattle scales, which will weigh six tons at each operation, with all the appendages for weighing cattle, sheep, swine, hay, grain, &c. But the next question is, will farming on such a magnificent scale jiay ? Of course it will. Any kind of honorable business, managed as well as this farm is, would pay large profits. Upon our inquiry, Mr. Gentry informed us, that the gross receipts from this farm last year amounted to over twenty- seven thousand dollars. — Valley Farmer. To PREVENT Sheep from Scouring, when first turned to grass in the spring, give no salt from the time they are turned out until after shearing, — or, what perhaps is better, let them have access to salt at all times, summer and winter. Either plan will produce the desired etfect. 248 THE GENESEE FARMER. PROFITS OF FARMING. We believe there ave many farmers, as well as others, wlio take an incorrect view of the business of fanning, as fav as its profit is concerned. They seem to suppose tliat what is sold from the farm is all that is to be counted as profit, while no note is taken of what goes to support the family, or is in- vested in improvements on the farm. To give an instance, I will refer to a conversation I had with a man who was once a farmer, but now has his capital in money at interest. He has some four thousand dollars out, and he tells me that it is only with strict economy that he makes the interest support his family. In this section of country, the average value of the farms is below the sum referred to, and, notwithstanding the long cold winters, the farmers are in a thriving condition. So, we doubt not, it often is with the farmer : that which he and his family eat, drink and wear, is often overlooked in considering the profits of the farm, — not count- ing anything but the cash left at the end of the year. This is not treating the farm fairly. In one case the farm is capital, and in the other the capi- tal is funds; that which goes to the support of the family, is as much the product of capital in one case as in the other, and in both should be consid- ered as profit; and if the farmer, after the mainte- nance of his family, and paying the expenses, (which in these times are no small matter,) has one or two hundred dollars left to do as he pleases with, it surely can not be inferred that the farmer's profits are least. But, say some, the farmers have to work so hard for a living that they do not like the business; but I would like to have you show me a class of men that have so many leisure hours as the farmers. — Quite too many young men, at the present day, seek other employments than farming. In this section of country, stock-raising is one of the most profitable branches of farming, and the dairy busi- ness is beginning to attract considerable attention. The country through -here — say the northern tier of counties in Pennsylvania and the southern tier in New York — is as good a stock-raising or dairy country as there is in the Union. Before the farmer concludes that there is no profit in farming, let him look at the whole ground, and a different conclu- sion will be reached. j. o. dawes. Za Saysville, Pa., July, 1S58. TO MAKE FARMING PROFITABLE. In order to make farming pay, the science of farming must be understood. To those who pro- fess to cultivate the soil, and find it unremunera- tive, I think their want of success might be attrib- uted, generally, to tlieir ignorance and want of system in their general management. Remember, farmers, your pursuit is a noble one ; but to make it noble and elevated, requires the exercise of mind as well as muscle. It is a vocation '•''quiring intellect of a superior order; and Avho- evji- would attain that intellectual greatness requi- hite for a scientific and systematic agriculturist, must read, study, and reduce to practice. Take, for instance, the man who has risen to eminence in his ]jrofession, and who makes that profession pay, and he will tell you that ease and idleness have been strangers to Iiim — that years off hard study and deep research have earned him his high reputation and his well filled coffers. Again, look at the successful merchant, and where does the secret of his prosperity lie ? In his- perfect knowledge of his business, his marked at- tention to it, his systematic management, and his- prudent forethought. Another comparison might be found in the skill- ful mechanic, who commands high wages and steady employment because of his superiority as a workman. He, too, will tell you that the pecuni- ary advantage arising from the knowledge he now possesses is ample compensation for all the sacri- fices he had to make during his four or five years apprenticeship. From these comparisons, then, I think the infer- ence may be drawn that knowledge is necessary in order to conduct any business profitably and hon- orably. Is it surprising, then, that "farming wont pay" while the majority of our farmers think it madness to devote an hour to study the nature of the soil they pi-ofess to till, and would consider it folly unpardonable to subscribe for an agricultural paper, because, say they, the ideas and suggestions contained therein are theoretical only,, and to make them practical would bring ruin upon us? To those farmers whose ideas are so contrswted, whose reasoning powers are so rusted, I would say, culti- vate your minds, as well as your fields ; you will find worldy wisdom in it ; and in order to make- your farms a source of profit, you must aim to un- derstand your vocation and to conduct it system- atically. Go at it energetically and perseveringly, and you will profit by it. Farmei's ! arouse from your lethargy ; make the eflfort : success and pros- perity will be your reward, i. r. Uamilton, C. W^ 1858. Rarey's Method of Hoese-Taming. — The Sci- entific American says: "This new system of taming is founded on the well-known process employed in subduing buffalo calves and wild horses taken by the lasso, and con- sists in simply gradually advancing towards the horse to be subdued, until you are able to place your hand on the animal's nose and over his eyes, and then to breathe strongly and gently, as judg- ment may dictate, into the nostrils. We have the authority of Catlin, in his ' Letters and Notes on the American Indians,' that this process is the one practiced by the Indians in taming the wild horses of the prairies, and that it is invariably attended with success." Oatlin says : "■J have often, in concurrence with a known cus- tom of the coamtry, held my hands over the eyes of a buffalo calf, and breathed into his nostrils, after which I have, with my traveling companions, rode several miles into our encampment, with the little prisoner busily following the heels of my horse the whole way, as closely and aff'ectionately as its instincts would attach it to its dam. This is one of the most extraordinary things I have wit- nessed since I came into this wild country; and although I had often heard of it, and felt unable exactly to believe it, I am now willing to bear tes- timony to the fact, from the numerous instances which I have seen since- 1 came into the couatrj/* THE GENESEE FAKMER. 249 WOEKING ON THE ROAD. Last week we were notified to work out our road tax, the Path-master calling for team, wagon, shovel, and hoe, and setting us to drawing dirt from the loamy part of the district upon the road of the clayey part. A very good practice, no doubt, in many instances ; but in our case, the great need of the road was side ditches, and the reason why we do not get them is because the amount of work assessed to us will do but little toward constructing all that are needed, in one year. So at least Path- master D. says ; and the same reason is often urged in other districts. Some of us contend, however, that the true policy would be to make the road right as far as the labor goes, and in time the whole would be put in good order. In road-making, one great requisite is the ready and total removal of all water. A good road is impossible where water stands by its side (any- where near its level) or in it. If the ditches have no free outlet, the road will soak up the moisture more or less, becoming soft and rutted in conse- quence. It is in vain to think of having a good road over a subsoil filled with stagnant water. We must provide for their thorough drainage, either by surface or covered ditches, with sluices wherever needed, and free passage into the fields adjacent. The road-bed should be elevated and slightly rounded, that the water which falls may run off readily into the ditches. If the soil is clayey or loamy, a few inches of gravel, or even coarse sand, will very much improve the track. If sandy, it needs a slight addition of clay to correct it, and a great improvement of sandy roads can thus be effected. The road will be less dusty, less liable to wash, and present a firmer, pleasanter passage to both team and vehicle. A great improvement in the condition of our roads has been very cheaply effected by the use of the scraper or leveler, Avhich is "just the thing" for filling ruts, removing stones, and clearing off obstructions generally, and should be used several times in the course of the season on most road districts. j. h. b, A BOY'S THOUGHTS ON SOME FAEMEES' PEACTICES. SHOWS FOR SEED WHEAT. In reference to my proposal of county shows for seed fall wheat, you ask the question, why I wish to show seed wheat ? — why not other grain ? — and why will not our general agricultural shows answer quite as well ? In reply, I would say — 1st. Because no other grain is of so great impor- tance, either to the farmer or to the community at large, as fell wheat. 2d. Because there are a great variety of kinds of wheat, and one kind is better than another ; of this fact many farmers may be ignorant, but if they can meet their fellow farmers with the superior kinds of wheat, and talk the matter over, — and that too just at the time they want to sow, — they will be likely to be induced to purchase the best, od. Because we are at present destitute of any certain market to which we can repair, either to sell or buy the best kinds and quality of seed wheat; this would afford just the market we need. Then all must admit that frequent changes of seed are advantageous, and at such a show or fair would be the ^jZfflce where and the time when such changes could be made. And as some kinds are less liable than others to the attacks of the midge, here you would meet the best farmers in the country, and hear their experience on all such matters. Hence I conclude, Messrs. Editors, that a show of fall wheat, on or about the first of September, in each county or State in all the wheat-growing sections both of Canada and the United States, would be beneficial. Let us hear what others say on the subject. T. king. Ryckmcui's Corners, C. W. THE BAEOICETEE. "When I see a straw stack standing year after year, without enriching any ground, thinks I to myself, how much better had it been for the owner of it to plow and fit his potato ground, drop his potatoes, and cover eight or ten inches with that same straw. When I see a man dropping his potatoes in rows, four feet each way, and dropping three or four in a hill, thinks I to myself, how much better if that man would drill his potatoes, dropping them from twelve to eighteen inches apart one way and four feet the other, — always cutting them, and putting only from one to four eyes in a hill. When I see a man cutting down the only tree in his pasture field, thinks I to myself, how much bet- ter would that man leave that tree standing for his cattle a shade in a hot summer day. When I see a wood pile lying on the side of the road, thinks I to myself, how much better had that man taken his wood pile to the back yard. J^ear MUan, Erie Co., Ohio. JOEL WOOLVEKTON. We all know how important and almost indis- pensable this instrument is to nautical men for the- safety of their lives and ships, in forewarning them of impending storms. While not so important to landsmen, it affords a subject of interesting study, and is of great practical value to agriculturists. It has been a matter of surprise to me that it has not been recommended in our agricultural papers for general use by farmers. It is rarely you meet with this instrument in their houses, in my own expe- rience in the use of it for some years past, I have come to regard it as indispensable to the best re- sults of my farm operations. It has enabled me to time my planting, sowing, haying, and harvest, generally to better advantage than many of my neighbors who consult only "the signs of the sky;" and, acting on the indications of my barometer, I am considered very weatherwise by the men em- ployed on my farm, and am often asked how I am able to anticipate the rains and storms. A few weeks' use of the instrument will satisfy any care- ful observer how valuable it must be to farmers. A very good instrument can be had for $1() or $12. To enable one more readily to understand its use, books have been published, giving instructions for making observations. I believe Mr. Kendall, of Rochester, N. Y., who makes the instruments, has published a small manual to accompany it. A small work entitled ^'■Science of Thi7ig a Familiar,'" beside giving rules and instructions for using the barome- ter, contains valuable instruction on many other sub- jects, and ought to be in every family library, e. 250 THE GENESEE FARMER. GUESSING. The area of every enclosure on a farm ought to be ascertained, iu order to determine with some de- gree of precision the qiuuitity it produces per acre, tis well as the quantity of seed and plaster sown per acre, and to regulate the manuring and the labor with some degree of accuracy. Fields being gene- rally rectangular, very little difficulty would arise in determining the number of acres in each, and when once ascertained, a record could be kept that would render further trouble unnecessary. Many farmers depend too much on guessing^ as to the quantity of the land and the products per acre, and those who are not pretty knowing in such matters are supposed by some occasionally to make great mistakes, that sometimes involve a suspicion of their veracity. If the size of fields and the amount of their prc^ducts wei"e accurately registered iu a book kept for that purpose, it would be but little trouble; and it would furnisli an agreeable amuse- ment for a rainy day, to compare the products of different years from the same ground. By this means, a farmer would always be able to determine the improvement and increased fertility of his farm, and if at any time he should incline to furnisli an agricultural journal with the results of any of his operations, it could be done with confidence as to its accuracy which would be satisfactory and in- structive. A farmer should never guess at results, when he has the means in his hands of arriving at the truth so easily. Keep a regular account of all articles sold and purchased, and at the year's end balance your book, so that you may know your latitude and longitude, and not be in danger of re- ceiving a visit from the sheriff". Sand Bmok, N. J. J. T. SERGEANT. RTJ3T ON OATS IN KENTUCKY. Editors Genesee Fakmek : — The rust has ruined our oats. There will not be saved in this, or any of the adjoining counties, one half enough for seed. It is something unheard of, by the oldest of our farmers. We hadj in the months of April and May, an unprecedented amount of rain. The rust first made its appearance upon the low lands, whence the disease spread to all parts of the farm, as though it was subject .to the laws of an epidemic or conta- gion. It attacked di fferent crops at different stages, but all previous to the appearai.ce of the head. In fact, the blades seemed to be the part primarily at- tacked, the straw in many instances l)eing remark- ably exempt ti-om rust. Can you tell us anytbing about the cause of it, and do you think tbat wheat upon the same ground would be more liable t(-- rust than on a different piece of ground ? Will you, or some of your scientific farmers, give us your views, experience, or observations? We would like to hear from Mr. John Johnston, especially. Buaer Co., El/. K. B. MOEEIIEAD. Kindness to Domestic Animals makes the ani- mals to love yon, and even the hogs will give a grunt of pleased recognition when they see you. It pi'omotes a kind disposition in the animals — makes them feel nice, and fatten easier. It also re-acts on yourseli^ and will make you kind to others. JUDGE BUEL'S APPEAL TO YOUNG MEN. Editors Gi;nesee Fakmer: — It may not be generally imd'i-stood, by all your young readers, that the sui.)Ject of Agriculture was one in which Judge Buel distinguished himself, by devoting to it his powerful energies, his great and comprehensive mind and ready pen. From a volume of the Cul- tivator before me, commenced in March, 1834, I take the following appeal to young men. Read it «//!, young readers of the Farmer, for I assure you it has lost nothing by age. Read it all, and keep alive the memory, and cherish the principles of those dear departed ones who have gone before us, and have labored incessantly for our good. O. B. 8. " The young men we would especially appeal to. You are destined soon to occupy tiie stage of public action, and to All the imj^ortant stations in society. — Now is the time to prepai-e for these high duties, as well as for profit and distinction iu your business. Your cliaracters are but partially formed, and are yet susce^^tible of receiving good or bad impressions, which are to last througli life. It is important to you, to your friends, and to society, that these impressions should be for good. We will lay before you rules and examples of the wisest and best men, to aid you in the formation of your characters — to enable you to be- come intelligent and successful in your business, — useful and respectable in society, — and beloved and happy in your families. Do not object that you have no time to read. Few young men labor more hours than did BEXJAinN Frakklin, or are more humble and self-dex>endent than he was in his youth, and yet Franklin found abundant time for self-instrucdon ; and so indafatigable and successful was he m his stud- ies, that ho became one of the most useful and cele- brated men of Ids age. We need not limit the remark to Franklin : most of the distinguished men of the day have risen from humble stations by their own in- dustry and frugality, and have acquired a great share of their knowledge in the lionrs not allotted to ordi- nary business. Your winter evenings are your own, and may be applied usefully. They may be computed at one-fourth of the day, or one entire month in a 3'ear. Time is money : and the young man who ap- propriates this month to the acquiring of useful knowledge, does more to add to his future fortune, to say nothing of his intellectual wealth, than if he re- ceived \YAy for this month and loaned it upon interest. Knowledge is in another respect like money : the greater the stock of it on hand the more it will ad- uniuster to the respectability and enjoyments of life. But knowledge is not to be acquired without exertion, nor is anj'thing else that is useful in life. It is the labor we bestow in acqidring an object that imparts to it an intrinsic value. It has been well said, that " al- thongli we may be learned by the help of others, we can never be wise hut by our own wisdom." It is the humble design of this monthly sheet to excite a laud- able ambition to improve the mind as well as the soil. If we succeed in awakening the latent energies of the former, we think the latter will follow as a natural consequence, and our object will be attained." Fattening Sheep in Winter. —Keep them in a dry place, and let them have plenty of good clover liay and turnips, with half a pound of oil-cake and a pint of barley per day. Water daily. I have fattened them in this way iu a short time, and I think this is the best way of fattening tlieni in winter. Jonathan Kitson. — Hoicard, G. W. THE GENESEE FARMER. 251 mw^wi^miiziw^ FArLUKE OF THE FEUIT CROPS. A >EW weeks since, on visiting some fiiends in one of the finest fruit secti'^ns of Western New York, we told tliem we bad come to see some of their celebrated peach orchards. "Nay," said ihej, " but to see the nakedness of the land ye are oorae." And truly, these once flourishing peach orchards look as though they had been struck with a blast of barrenness. Many of the trees are dead, and on nearly all, the leaves are curled up and withered. Plum trees are so aftected witli black knot, that they cannot furnish fruit enough for the curcuho to propagate itself in ; and even the Cherry trees, hitherto healthy and fruitful, are so debilita- ted that the leaves curl up and the fruit is compar- atively worthless. The dry, hot summer of 1856 enabled the trees to ripen their wood so perfectly that tlie following severe winter injured them far less tlian the com- paratively mild winter of 185T-8, following a cool, wet summer, which did not ripen the wood. Even the Osage Orange hedges in this section looked worse this spring than they did in the springs of 1856 and '57, after winters of unparalleled severity. Lnmature wood is more to be dreaded than cold winters; and happily we can do much more to avoid the former than to lessen the severity of the latter. That which is favorable to tlie healthy gi'owth of a ])lant is favorable to its early matu- rity. Superpliosphate of lime has a remarkably beneficial etfect on the growth of turnips, and it causes them to mature several weeks earlier than those liberally supplied with nitrogenous manures, which, while they induce an excessive growth of leaves, are not favorable to the formation of bulbs. On the other hand, nitrogenous manures are ex- oe^dingly favorable to the growth of wheat ; and they increase the proportion of starch in the grain and hasten its maturity. We know litt'e, — in fact notJv'nc/, with any degree of certainty, in regard to the effect of different fertilizers on fruit trees, but it is safe to affirm that the same general principle applies to them — that anything which is favorable to their healfhy and Angorous growth is favorable to their early maturity. Turnips manured with an excess of ammonia will continue to grow till cut down with the frost; while those on the same soil, and sown at the same time, man-n-ed with superphosphate, will be ripe several weeks earlier. So fruit trees on some soils, abounding inorganic matter, continue to grow late in the fall, and do not mature their wood. They have an abundance of food, but it is not appropri- ate to their healthy growth. On this account, rich^ low lands are generally to be avoided. In ninety-nine cases out of a hxmdred, however, fruit trees are in no danger of being injured frons an excess of fertilizing matter in the soil. The danger lies in the other direction. A farmer who has a large ferm half tilled, cannot be persuaded to devote a few acres exclusivehj to fruit trees. He wants a crop of grass, or grain, as well as fruit. Such a fruit-grower need have no fears that his orchard will be injured by excessive growth. Ani- mals half starved are more liable to disease than those supplied with a sufiicient quantity of appro- priate food. The same is true of fruit trees. Plant them on poor soil, or rob them of their appropriate food by the growth of other crops, and they are rendered much luore susceptible to disease. Their constitution is weakened, and they are less capable of withstanding cold and other adverse influences. Farmers who are at particular pains to cultivate their corn and potatoes, often deem it unnecessary to bestow any labor on their fruit trees. One rea- son of this is found in that restlessness and love of change incident to a new country. We are inclined to confine our attention to those things which af- ford immediate results. Farmer Slapdash will give his corn good cultivation, because he can reap the profit in a few months ; but to plant and culti- vate trees, and wait several years for tlie fruit of his labors, requires a habit of thought to which he is a stranger. If seized with a sudden fit for plant- ing, he sets out his trees in a meadow or wheat field, cuts ofiF or mutilates several of them in mow- ing, and then turns in his cattle to.do the pruning! Tlie next year he will pronounce the agricultural papers, tree pedlars, aud the " Rochester Nursery- men," unmitigated humbugs. But even Farmer Fokecast, who plants good trees and gives them good care and culture, is often disappointed in the results. His trees do well for a few years, and aftbrd good crops; but a severe winter, or a succession of adverse circumstances, too often proves frital to his hopes. Such a man deserves and receives our warmest sympathies. His loss is a public calamity. Perhaps nothing can be done to entirely prevent such losses ; but much may be done to mitigate the injurious effects of adverse seasons. We believe the primary cause of the curl of the leaf in Peaches, and the black knot in Plums, is the 252 THE GENESEE FARMER. low temperature of the soil. The leaves of a tree give off a large quantity of water. They maintain a kind of perpetual sucking action upon the stem, which is communicated to the spongelets at the extremity of the roots. If the roots are in a soil much colder than the air, they are unable to absorb sufficient water to supply that given ofi" by the leaves ; the consequence is, that the leaves curl up and die, and the fruit falls oflE;— or it will "shank," as grapes do when the house is much warmer than the external border. Evaporation produces cold. Every pound of water evaporated from the soil abstracts a definite amount of heat. Plants growing in a soil evapo- rate much more water than would the naked soil. To cultivate other crops among fruit trees, there- fore, not only robs the trees of nourishment, but reduces the temperature of the soil. But the great reason why soil is colder than the air, is owing to an excess of moisture. Heat cannot be transmit- ted dmmiward through water. The remedy is evi-' dent. Remove the excess of water, by means of underdraine. It has been found by repeated trials that a well underdrained soil is usually about 10° warmer than one that is undrained. Prof. Schitb- LER has proved that the loss of heat caused by evaporation, in undrained lands, amounts to 11J° to 13p. In draining the Red Moss, near Bolton- le-Moors, Mr. Paekes found the thermometer in the drained land rose in June to 66°, while in that which was not dramed it would never rise above 47°— a gain of 19°. Simpson says he has "fre- quently found the soil of a field higher in tempera- ture from 10° to 15° than that of another field which had not been di-ained, though in every other respect the soils were similar." A writer in the Quar- terly Review states that one pound of water evapo- rated from one thousand pounds of soil, will depress the temperature of the whole mass ten degrees. A careful observer near this city, informs us that his soil this season was quite cold till about the middle of June, whereas, quite early in the spring, we had remarkably warm weather. Under such cireumstances, the equilibrium between the supply of food from the roots, and the demand of the rapid growing leaves and branches, was destroyed,— the growth was unhealthy, and the trees were rendered weak and unable to resist the subsequent cold weather, and disease, loss of fruit and foliage, and, in many cases, death, ensued. This is an extreme case, and the best means that could be employed might have been found ineftec- tual, but it is evident that the injury would have been less severe if the temperature of the soil had been higher. Unlike animals, plants do not gener- ate heat ; they are dependent on the soil, and it is evident that a tree absorbing sap ten or fifteen de- grees warmer than another, would be far less sus- ceptible to sudden depressions of atmospheric tem- perature. During cold nights, evaporation from the leaves is nearly suspended ; there would conse- quently be little loss of heat, and in a warm soil the temperature of the tree might be much higher than the surrounding atmosphere. While, there- fore, the atmospheric changes are beyond the con- trol of the cultivator, he may do much to mitigate their injurious eiFects, by raising the temperature of the soil, — and this he is enabled to do by thor- ough underdraining, and keeping the land loose and free from weeds, grass, &c. "But why," we are asked, "cannot peaches be raised as easily now as when the country was new ?" Because the dense forests aflforded shelter from the severe v/inds, and, like large bodies of water, served somewhat to equalize the tempera- ture. Then roots, remaining in the ground for some years after the trees were cut down, assisted drainage. The forests and the roots are now gone, and we must resort to artificial drainage, which It is well known not only increases the temperature of the soil, but when extensively practiced has also an equalizing effect on the temperature of the air. Severe winters, and excessively dry, hot summers, are far less frequent now in England, than before the introduction of thorough drainage. Tliis whole subject is forcing itself upon the at- fention of fruit growers, and we trust these crude and hasty remarks may induce our readers to favor us with their views and experience. Hale's experiments show that a sunflower, T)ulh for iulJi, imbibes and perspires seventeen times more fresh liquor than a man, every twenty-four hours. Lawes' experiments "on the amount of water given off by plants during their growth," show that the clover on an acre that would aftbrd two tons of hay, absorbs from the soil and gives off from its leaves 430 tons of water in 101 days, or eight thousand six hundred pounds per day. Those who allow clover, grass, weeds, or any other plants, to grow among their fruit trees or any cultivated crop, should not complain of drought. Frttit in New Jersey. — An experienced horti- culturist in Newark, N. J., writes us : — " The fruit ci-op here is rather a failure. I never observed Raspberries turn out so bad ; they promised at one time a fair crop, but soon decayed. I tried Pea- body's Strawberry, and found it a splendid fruit, large, and of fine color. However, I think Wil- son's Seedling will excel all as a bearer. The Law- ton Blackberry is quite an acquisition to our fruits." THE GEKESEE FARMER. 253 FEUIT-GROWERS' SOCIETY OF WESTEKN N. YORK. The " Spring Meeting" of this Society was held in Rochester, on the 30th and 31st days of June. The President, H. P. Norton of Brockport, occu- pied the chair. The collection of fruit on the table was not as large as at some previous sessions. Strawberries, on account of the dry weather, were not as large as are usually presented, and the Cherries were only fair. The following are the names of exhibitors : Hooker, Farley & Co., Brighton ; E. W. Sylvester, Lyons; Geo. Newland, Palmyra; Jos. DUQUET, ; Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester ; Bissell & Salter, " C. W. Seelye, " Mrs. M. GOODENATT, " A. Frost & Co., " H. E. Hooker & Co., " STRAWBERRIES. The subject of Strawberries was fully discussed, in answer to the question — "Which of the new American and foreign Strawberries are worthy of general or extensive cultivation — which for ama- teurs and which for market ; the best time to plant and the best manner of cultivation, for amateur and for market gardener ?" "W". B. Smith, of Syracuse, had cultivated Long- wortJi's Prolific^ and found it quite hardy and an abundant bearer. Dr. Sylvester, of Lyons, stated that it was of medium size, good quality, and the plants perfectly hardy. P. Barry thought this variety good and prolific, •but might be dispensed with. He considered the Jenny Lind a very valuable and desirable sort, on account of its extreme earliness. C. L. HoAG, of Lockport, considered the Hooker the most valuable Strawberry he ever cultivated ; from a bed of them, 10 feet by 15, he had this sea- son picked 15 quarts, and there were many more yet to be gathered — at the rate of over 150 bushels per acre. The flavor is fully equal to Burr's New Pine, and superior to every other variety that' he knew of. H. E. Hooker had proved the Hooker several years before he oftered it to the public, and be- lieved it to be superior to any other that he had ever known. The berries ripen in succession over a long space of time, which is a desirable feature for an amateur. The fruit is too soft to transport far. G. Newland, of Palmyra, had grown the Hooker for one year, and from twenty-seven plants ob- tained a year ago he should be able to pick three bushels of fruit. A. PiNNEY, of Clarkson, thought the Hooker one of the finest berries — would select it if obliged to grow but one. He thought the Gushing a good market berry. H. E. Hooker had raised Wilson's Seedling, and it appeared remarkably productive — quality me- dium— flowers perfect — berry fine, and would bear transportation well. E. Frost thought Wilson's Albany to be the most hardy and productive, but the Hooker far surpasses it in flavor. W. P. TowNSEND, of Lockport, had cultivated the Genesee for several years, and thought very well of it. H. E. Hooker had found the Genesee hardy, pro- ductive, and of fair quality. Dr. Sylvester had cultivated it for six years, and found it good and quite productive. P. Barry stated Scott's Seedling to be a beautiful berry — distinct in appearance, but the quality is not very good. n. E. Hooker: Scott's Seedling is immensely productive, but of poor quality. E. Frost said that Scott's Seedling is a great bearer and good grower — the berries of fine color, H. E. Hooker said that the Moyamensing and Pennsylvania are good bearers. The Grimson Gone is superior to Burr's New Pine and Hovey's Seed- ling. Burr's New Pine is too tender. G. Newland stated that Hovey's Seedling would not compare with Grimson Gone for profit. Dr. Sylvester liked Burr's Nc^o Pine and Ho- vey's Seedling well : had never cultivated Grimson Gone. The Pine he found hardy in the most ex- posed localities, and it is very productive. W. P. TowNSEND said the Crimson Gone would yield twice as much as Hovey's Seedling or Burr's Neto Pine. T, G. Yeomans, of Walworth, found Pealody's Seedling to be not very highly flavored, but had not sufficiently tested it to be able to give an opinion. G. Nemland said that the Peabody is a rapid grower, flavor very good, size large ; from his pres- ent experience, would think it a very good variety. Dr. Sylvester thought it pretty good. Geo. Ellwanger recommended Triomphe de Gand as one of the best foreign sorts, both for amateurs and for market. It is a beautiful large berry, firm flesh and good quality. CULTIVATION OF THE STHAWBEEET, Dr. Sylvester pi-eferred a strong soil, deeply trenched and well manured. The best time for transplanting is spring ; would allow the plants to form runners until they covered the ground, and would then mark oflf the bed into strips and spade in alternate ones ; the fresh dug ground would du- ring the summer become filled with young plants, and the next season after bearing would dig in the spaces left the previous year, and thus continue year after year, P. Barry thought spring the best time for trans- planting. Plants cultivated in rows would produce the. finest fruit ; horse culture may be employed when growing for market. H. E. Hooker, when growing for market, pre- ferred to turn over a clover sod, and put the plants in rows four feet apart, and one foot apart in the rows. Cultivate with the horse until the runners spread, so that it is impossible to do so without destroying the plants, and then depend on the hoe. Liked very early planting, in the spring, and before the plants had made much growth. G. Newland : Always cultivated Strawberries in rich soil ; preferred spring planting ; thought the 254 THE GENESEE FARMER. greatest crops are grown when the plants are al- lowed to run into a mass, although the fruit is not so large. The discussion on Strawberries having closed, it was proposed that each person present should hand in a list of what lie considered the five best varie- ties foi' market, and the five best for amateur cul- ture. Twelve votes were cast, resulting as follows : For Market, Early Scarlet. 8 Crimson Cone 7 Wilson's Albany 7 Genesee 5 Jloolcer 4 Ilovey 4 Cashing 2 i^cott's rieedling 2 Iowa 2 Longworlh's Prolific 2 Burr's New Pine 2 Wailier 1 Cremont 1 Pealjody ! Triomplie de Gaud 1 Cliilian 1 For Amateurs. riooker 12 Burr's New Pine 7 Barly Scarlet 7 Genesee 5 Hovey's Seedling 4 "Wilson's Albany 4 Jenny Lind 2 McAvoy'8 Superior 2 Triomplie de Gand 2 Peabody's Seedling 2 TroUope's Victoria 2 Wallcor 1 Crimson Cone , 1 Ouslung 1 CliUian". 1 Eichardson's Cambridge 1 Longworth's Prolific 1 DISEASE OF THE CUERRT AND PEACH. The disease of the Cherry tree, which causes the leaves to die, and in some cases also the trees, and the curl of the leaf of the Peach, were talked of at considerable length. The general opinion of the cause is, that the great severity of the winters for two or three years back has greatly enfeebled the ti-ees, and the long continued cold east winds of the present spring have developed that weakness in the manner which we see. SUMMER PRUNING THE PEAR. Mr. TowNSEND some nine years ago planted about 1,000 standard Pear trees, a great part being Bart- letts. Spent an hour or so once a week pleasantly in the orchard examining the trees and pinching ofi' the ends of the shoots where it seemed necessary to check the growth of any rampant shoot and se- cure_ a good form. Most' of the trees came into bearing in three years. Pinching increases the ten- dency to produce fruit. Standard Bartletts are vei'y apt to lose their leader. The side shoots should be pinched pack so as to secure a good leader. j^Ir. Ellwangee practiced summer pruning, or pinching, to some extent. It was often of advan- tage in giving a desirable form to the tree, in throwing the growth where it was needed, and checking over- vigorous shoots, that otlierwise would rob their neighbors of their neeeded share of nourishment. the cueculio. Mr. Ellwangee knew no better w^ay to destroy the curculio and save the Plums tlian shaking tlie trees. They invariably had a good crop on their grounds, as many present knew. Early in spring spade the ground deeply ; soon after the blossoms fall commence jarring the trees every day, catch- ing the insects in a sheet. When they begin to get scarce, after a week or so, every otlier day will an- swer. Still later only jar the trees once a week, or so, to shake down the damaged fruit, and they are swept up and carried away. Two boys, who might be hired for three or four shillings a day, if encaged for a couple of weeks, could take care of an orchard of four hundred trees and ensure a crop of fruit. After this an hour or two every week would an- swer. The large varieties of Piums sell well, and at a high price, and would [)ay for tiiis labor. He knew of no better method to destroy them or keep them in check. C. S. Cole knew a person in the west who had a small apricot orchard of 150 trees, and by shaking the trees, as before described, he had received good crops, and they yielded him a large revenue. t PRUNING GEAPES. A long discussion was held in reference to the summer pruning of Grapes. With one or two ex- ceptions, the speakers were agreed concerning the utility of summer ])runing. The Society adjourned, to meet again in Roches- ter at their Fall session. LAYING OUT A GARDEN AND ORNAMENTAL GROUNDS. We are not unfrequently asked to give a plan for laying out a garden and ornamental grounds for a suburban or village residence. " Supposing," said a friend, "you had a piece of land, about an acre and a half to two acres in extent, on which you were about to build, how would you lay it out? — what ornamental and fruit trees would you plant, and where? — how should the kitchen garden be formed, and where sliould the beds of small fruits and vegetables be ])laced ?" In reply, we present the sketch on the following page. We can not enter into the full details of carrying out such a plan, but will endeavor to give a few brief hints that may not be unacceptable. There are but few soils that do not need imder- draining. This is the first thing to be attended to. Then subsoil-plow or trench the soil two feet deep, and make it rich and mellow. Tlien surround the garden with a hedge. — ISTothing so much adds to tlie appearance of a place as a properly managed hedge. It should be planted in a broad and deep border, free from the shade of any trees whatever, and kept constantly clean and mellow for a course of years, until the fence is perfected. The hedge may be formed of Osage Orau're — which is of all other ])lants the best safeguard against intruders; or if the location will allow, of American Arbor- vitfe, which is tlie most l)eautiful, easily procured, and most tractable evergreen screen. Buckthorn or Privet bears shearing admiraljly well, and the first eventually makes a good defence. Three-thorn Acacia also makes a fine fence. Tlie ground next to the hedges may be cropped with garden vegetables, but should not be jjlaiited with trees, vines or buslies, — any of which detract from the growth and beauty of the hedge, and are themselves bi'oken or injured by the snow-banks which accumulate in such situations. In the rear of the garden are located the larger fruit trees, among which potatoes and corn may be annually produced. The central walk is furnished with a row of dwarf pears (on quince stocks,) on each side. Dwarf cherry and dwarf ai^ple trees, currants and gooseberi'ies, aL^o fill tlie borders of the side and cross walks. Raspberries occupy a portion of one of the squares. Blackberries can be added, if de- THE GENESEE FARMEE. 255 sirable. Strawberries will remain but two or three years in one place, so we do not locate them. Tiie grape trellis (G.) should be so situated as to have all the advantage which hot sun can give to ripen off the fruit, and the vines planted on a rich border, not burdened with mucli other vegetation. The asparagus (L>,) and the pie-plant should also be planted where the exposure to the sun is good, and high manui-ing easy. PLAK FOR LAYING OUT A SMALL GAEDEX. The forepart of the sketch will need little explan- ation. A, is the house ; B, the barn ; 0, barn- yard ; D, asparagus bed ; E, arbor ; F, flower gar- den ; G, clothes-horse. The location of the flower garden, arbor, and walks, the diftereut varieties of trees for ornament, and the general style of the ornamental grounds, will of course vary much according to the means and tastes of the proprietors ; but our own prefer- ence is for thick planting about the outsiile bound- aries, and a fine lawn of moderate size, well kept, in the immediate vicinity of the house, with such thin planting near the building, as will show the entire forms and give space for the perfect devel- opment of some beautiful evergreen and weeping deciduous trees. We are not in favor of having fruit trees on the ornamental grc)unriced papers on account of hard times, and who are not uow taking any agricnltural journal, we have conchided to take half-year subscriptions to the Genesee Fantier, and we trust our friends will make an effort to send us in a few thousand additional subscribers. We will send the Fartner from July to December, inclusive, to single sub- scribers, for 25 cents; five copies for $1,00, with a Sural Annual to the getter \ip of the club ; and eight copies for $1.50, with a Rural Annual to the person getting up the ciub. All subscriptions must end with the year. We can supply the back numbers if desired. Mr. B. Densmore, of Broekport, N. Y., writes — "On renewing acquaintance with my old friend the: Far 7ne7', I was so well pleased with his appearance, 1 took the liberty to introduce him to a few of my neighbors. It is easy shotting subscribers here for the Fanner, and any one having the time to devote to it might make it a good busi- ness. Enclosed find $6, for thirty-tivo new suUc-ribers for tM Gurreni half volume. ' What is said of the Genesee Farmer. Oke of the most intelligent farmers in Western New York recently said to us, " I take nearly all the leading agricultural journals, but not one of them, in my estima- tion, comes up to the Genesee Farmer. It is just what farmers need — abounding in practical, common sense articles. I read no paper with so much pleasure." And a brother editor writes us, " I would like to know how you manage to get so many able correspondents, and to cram each number full to overflowing of valuable original articles." We have made great elforts to induce intelli- gent practical farmers to communicate their experience. While we are satisfied that the application of true scien- tific principles will greatly improve our agricultural and horticultural practices, we are fully convinced that no re- liance can be placed on principles deduced from analyses of soils and plants. We must draw our principles from the facts developed by actual experiments or by practical experience. And it is to get such facts that we so repeat- edly urge experienced farmers to write for their " own paper." Our success has far exceeded our most sanguine expectations. We have now a larger list of able and ex- perienced correspondents than any other agricultnral journal in the world. The paper is giving universal sat- isfaction. Its prospects for usefulness never were so bright as they are to-day. Its circulation is rapidly ex- tending, and our cotemporaries are continually saying kind things of it and urging their readers to subscribe. We annex a few recent notices of the press. The Farmer \% a large and valuable publication — should be, as it is, well sustained. — Herk. Co. Journal. The Genesee Fanner is one of the best papers in the country. — Independent Examiner, Pourjhkeepsie, N. Y. The Genesee Farmer is one of the oldest, ablest, and most reliable agricultural journals in the country. No farmer should be without it. — Burlington ( Vt.) Sentinel. The Genesee FaJiner has a long table of interesting con- tents, and is handsomely gotten up. Every farmer would profit by reading it. — liotlidayshurg Register. The Genesee Farmer is a neat paper, of very convenient form for binding, and edited with an amount of skill and talent which recommends it to every agriculturist. — Woodstock {N. £.) Sentinel. This is, we think, the oldest agricultural publication in the State. Joseph Harris, the present editor and propri- etor, has made very great improvements in the Farmer. — Lyons Rejnihlican, July, 1858. The old GeneMe Farmer, known and esteemed by the first farmers of the land for many years back, is before us, plain, neat and substantial, such as we like to look upon. — Penliandle Fanner, Wellshurg, Va. The high character of the Genesee Farmer, and the ex- tremely low price at which it is furnished to subscribers, make it the most desirable paper within our knowledge in the United States. — Rochester Daily American. The Genesee Farmer is one of the oldest and most suc- cessful of our agricultural publications, and our Connecti- cut farmers may be profited by adding it to their regular list of periodicals. — A'ew London {Conn.) Repository. A NEAT, tidy dress, with a choice variety of Agricultu- ral and progressive articles for the rural iniiabilauts of all parts of the countiy, make the Fai'mer still, what it has long been, one of tJte very best agricuUtiral joitrnals ecctant. — Western Nucleus. The Genesee Fxmner for this month is received. We have repeatedly recommended this valuable monthly t j the farmers of New Brunswick; it may be obtained fo • two shillings and sixpence, and every number is really worth to the agriculturist who wishes to profit by the expe ience and knowledge of others, double the whole year's sub- scription.— lieligiotus Intellujeneei; {JV. B.)l THE GENESEE FARMER. 259 This old and reliable agricultural work makes its ap- pearance upon our table as regularly as the month comes round. It should be in the hands of every person who takes an interest in the raisina; and care of stock, or has anything to do with a farm. — jRrairie City {Rl.) Chronicle. The Geneaee Farmer is one of the oldest and best estab- lished agricultural journals in the world. It is hand- somely printed in pamphlet form, and is full of everything interesting to the farmer. Every number of it is a feast. Sample numbers can be seen at our office. — Weekly Prestt, Cetitralia, III. This is one of the oldest and ablest agricultural papers in the United States. It is printed monthly, in pamphlet form, and contains 32 pages — making, at the end of each year, 324 pages of valuable agricultural matter. Price 50 cents per year. Subscriptions received at this office, where a specimen copy may be seen. — Eemselaer (III.) Gas. The Genesee Farmer should be an inmate of every farm- ei''s dwelling. It treats of the practical afl'airs in hus- bandry, and teaches of the useful, as well as of the orna- mental. The price of this journal is but fifty cents per annum. Where farmers can secure as valuable a journal as this, for the mere trifle of four shillings, and do not avail themselves of the privilege, one would think that it is almost impossible to see good crops on their farms. — 77ie Flesator (Fa.) The Genesee Farmer, published at Rochester, N. T., is one of the finest agricultural papers in the country. The first article in the February number is upon natural and artificial draining, very ably written and finely illustrated by sixteen wood cuts representing the drains in the ground in their different forms. This article alone is worth the price of the Fanne)' for a year; published monthly, for .50 cents only. We recommend our farmers to procure it immediately. — Waltha7n {Mass.) Sentinal. Wb have repeatedly commended this Agricultural Monthly to our readers; and we are glad to learn that an inquiry is beginning to be made for it. Several copies have been ordered by us for parties in the country. At the request of the publisher, we have consented to act as agent tor the Farmer for the current year. The low price at which it comes, and the valuable articles on agriculture, &c., which it contains, ought to commend it to the pat- ronage of New Brunswick farmers generally. — licli^ious Ititelligencer, St. Johns, N. B. It is the opinion of pcrsens well qualified to give a crit- ical and reliable opinion, that the Genesee Farmer was never before so well conducted and worthy the attention of those for whose especial behoof it is published ; and that, all will admit, is very high praise. The variety of topics, and the experience and ability brought into their discussion, are distinguishing features. Mr. Harris is an accomplished practical agricultural chemist, who has en- joyed unusual advantages for the acquisition of a thorough "knowledge of his science. We commend the Farmer to all who cultivate a rood of ground in country, village or OLiy.— Rochester Bern., July 22, 1858. One of the most noticeable features of the Gene-^ee Farmer is the great number of communications received from experienced farmers and fruit-growers in all parts of the United States and Canada. Each number contains nearly fifty such communications. They add greatly to the interest and value of the paper. There is another novel feature in the Farmer. If any of the readers of the paper desire information on any particular subject — as for instance on the cultivation of wheat — the editor offers a prize of a dollar book for the best essay on this subject. One hundred and fiftif-eigJd prize essays have already been published in the ^Parmer. This plan of calling out the experience of farmers and fruit-growers originated with Mr. Harris. It has proved a great success — it has more than doubled the circulation of tlie paper. The Genesee Farmer is now in its twenty-eighth year. Published in one of the finest wheat and fruit-growing aections in the country, it has always enjoyed an extensive circulation, not only in Western New York, but through- out the Western, Eastern and Southern States. The pub- lisher informs us that it has now subscribers in every State and Territoay, in all the British Provinces, (it has over two thousand in Canada West alone,) in England, Ireland, Scotland, and the Sandwich Islands. Such a paper is a credit to our city. Long may it wave. — Bochm- ter {K Y.) Democrat & American. j Ami^ican PoMOLOGiCAL SociETT.— -The Seventh Session of this National Institution will commence at Mozart Hall, (363 Broadway, in the City of New York, on Tues- day, the 14th day of September next, at 10 o'clock A. M., and will be continued for several successive days. Among the objects of the meeting are the "followiuo- : To bring together the most distinguished Pomologists'of our land, and, by a free interchange of experience, to col- lect and diffuse such researches and discoveries as have been recently made in the science of Pomology — to hear Reports of the various Stale Committees and other dis- trict associations — to revise and enlarge the Society's catalogue of Fruits — to assist in determining the syno- nyms by which the same fruit is known in America or Europe — to ascertain the relative value of varieties in different parts of our country — what are suitable for par- ticular localities — what new sorts give promise of beinir worthy of dissemination — what are adapted to general cultivation ; and, especially, to concert measures for the further advancement of the art and science of Pomoloo-y. The remarkable and gratifying progress which has re- cently been made in this branch of rural industry, is in no small degree attributable to the establishment and salu- tary influence of our Horticultural and Pomological Soci- eties, the proceedings of which have been widely promul- gated by the Piess. A great work has been already per- formed, but a greater still remains to be accomplished. It is, therefi^re, desirable that every State and Territory of the Union and the Provinces of British America should be ably and fully represented in this Convention, and the Pomological, Horticultural, and Agricultural Societies within these limits, are hereby requested to send such number of delegates as they may deem expedient. Nur- serymen, Fruit growers, and all others especially inter- ested in Pomology, are also invited to be present," and to participate in the deliberations of the meeting. Held as this Assembly will be, in the great commercial emporium of our country, easily accessible from all parts of this continent, and at the same time when the Conven- tion of the Agricultural Press will be in session, it is an- ticipated that the attendance will be larger than on any former occasion, and the beneficial results proportionablV increased. In order to increase as mnch as possible the utility of the occasion, and to facilitate business, members and del- egates are requested to forward specimens of fruits "Town in their respective districts, and esteemed worthy of no- tice ; also, papers descriptive of their mode of cultivation — of diseases and insects injurious to vegetation of remedies for the same, and to communicate whatever may aid in promoting the objects of the meeting. Each con- tributor is requested to make out a complete list of his specimens, and present the same with his fruits, that a report of all the varieties entered maybe submitted to the meeting as soon as practicable after 'its organization. For the purpose of eliciting the most reliable informa- tion, the several Fruit Committees of States, and other local associations, are requested to forward to Hon. Sam- uel Walker, General Chairman of the Fruit Committee Roxbury, Mass., or to P. Barry, Esq., Secretary of the Society, Rochester, N. Y., a definite answer to each of the following questions, at an early date, and prior to Sep- tember 1st: What six, ticelve and twenty varieties of the Apple are best adapted to a family orchard o{ one hundred trees, and how many of each sort should it contain? What varie- ties, and how many of each, are best for an orchard of one thousaiul trees, designed to bear fruit for the market ? What ti.c and tv:elve varieties of the Pear are best for family use on the Pear stock? What varieties ou the Quince stock ? What varieties, and how many of each of these, are best adapted to a Pear orchard of one Mindred or of 07ie thousands trees ? What are the .nx and twelve best varieties of the Peach for a family orchard? What are the best varieties, and how many of each, are best adapted to a Peach orchard of mie hundred or oi one thousand trees V Answers to these questions should be made from relia- ble experience, and with reference to the proximity or re- moteness of the market. Societies will please transmit to the Secretary at an early day a list of the Delegates they have appointed. Gentlemen desirous of becoming members can remit the admission fee to Thomas P. James, Esq., Treasurer, Philadelphia, who will turnish them with the Transactions 260 ;THE GENESEE FARMER. of the Society. Life Membership, twenty dollars ; Bien- nial, two dollars. Packages cf Fruits may be addressed to Wm. S. Car- penter, Esq., 4CS Pearl street, N. Y- MARSHALL P. WILDER, President, Boston, Mass. P. Barry, Secretary, Rochester, N. F, July 1, 1858. Illinois Mat or June Wheat. — John Z. Reed, Esq., o Avon, N. Y., brought a variety of bald wheat last year from Southern Illinois, and sowed half an acre with it Mr. Dorr, of Scottsville writes us that it proves to be " four or five days earlier than the Meditcnxinean, and equal in quality to the Soules, but not so productive. In Southern Illinois it yields from 20 to 80 biishels per acre, on land that would yield 30 to 40 bushels of Sotdes." The half acre sown by Mr. Reed escaped, tlie midge almost ■entirely, and he is so well pleased with it that he has sent .to Illinois for 100 sacks. It is called tiie May or Juue wheat. There appears to be two kinds — the red and the white chatf. It was sown the 20th of September. Do .any of our readers know anything in regard to it. It is not too Late to Subscribe. — Our friends have responded most nobly to our request to obtain subscribers to the present half volume of the Farmer. Many have sent in large clubs, and several hundred have got up clubs of five and eight. We trust our friends will not cease their efforts. Never was there a better time for them to introduce the jjaper. Thousands of farmers are now taking no agricultural paper, and none are so poor as to •be unable to raise twenty-five cents. Speak to them at once. It is not too late. Harvest is pretty much over, and the leisure season is rapidly approaching. Farmers will have more time to read, and they will not regret if you persuade them to try the " Farmers' Own Paper" for sis months. See terms in another column. Wheat Midge in Canada. — Our correspondent, Mr. S. King, informs us that in the Niagara District, and near Loudon, C. W., the midge has so affected the wheat that many farmers have cut it for fodder. OuK friends who have sent us one dollar for five copies of the present half volume of the Farmer, can have three more copies for fifty cents, and any additional number at 18| cents each. . — — — *-».• Seymour's Grain Drill. — We would call particular at- tention to the advertisement of this valuable grain drill. We believe there is no better drill manufactured in this countiT. Inquiries and Answers. 1. How IS the Verbena impregnated? 2. Is there any particular method of impregnating the Carnation, to make it seed well ? Lewis J. Elliott. — Kewanee, III. 1. By itself. 2. The following method of raising Carnation seed is recommended by Maddock : — " Those flowers which have but few petals, or, as it is more commonly expressed, are thin of leaf, generally produce most seed ; but they should be possessed of the best properties in other respects, viz : their petals should be large, broad, substantial, and per- fectly entire at the edge, and their colors rich and regu- larly distributed, and in due proportion, throughout the whole blossom. The plants should be selected from the rest, and their pots should stand upon a stage, defended from earwigs, in an open part of the garden, in which situation they should remain during bloom, and until the seed is perfectly matured ; their Ijlossoms should be de- fended from rain, by having glass, paper, or tin covers suspended over them, in such a manner as to admit a free- circulation of air ; the pots should neither be kept very wet nor very dry ; nor will it be proper to cut and mutil- ate the plants, either for their layers or pipings, till the- seed becomes ripe, because it would certainly weaken them, and consequently injure, if not destroy, their seed. When the bloom is over, and the petals become withered and dry, they should be carefully drawn out of the pod or cah'x, being apt to retain a degree of moisture at their base, endangering a mouldiness and decay in that part, which will destrov the seed." Cherries from Seed. — 1. Can yoo, or som* of your nu- merous correspondents, inform me, through the columns of the Genesee Far7ner, how to raise Cherry trees from the seed V I planted seed for several years, but none came up. 2. Will trees raised from the seed produce the same kind of Cherries as does the parent stock ? Particulars on this subject would be thankfully received by several of your subscribers. Daniel Dull! — Gehharts, Pa.. 1. Plant the seeds when ripe, or keep them in moist sand and plant in the fall, in light land. 2. No. Varieties of fruit trees cannot be perpetuated by seed. Can you, or any of the subscribers of the Farmer, in- form me what is the best mode to make an underdrain with brushwood? Also, the proportion of lime to gravel, &c., used in building a stable with grout? J. W. — €am- de7i, iV" J. f^-» Notices of Books, Pamphlets, &c. Tub Fafm ; A Pocket Manual of Practical Agriculture; or How to C^iiltivato all the Field Crops. Embracing an Exposition of the Nature and Action of Soils and Manures; ihe Principles of Eota ion in Cropping, Directions for Irrigation. Draining, Sub- soiling. Fencing, Planting Hedges, etc.; Descriptions ot Im- proved Agricultural Implements; Instructions in the Cultiva- tion of the various Fiirm Crops; How to Plant and Cultivate Orchards, etc. With a mcst valuable Essay on Farm Manage- ment. By the author of " How to Behave," '• How lo do Busi- ness," "The Garden," etc. New York: Fowlek & Wells. 3S5s Price, po tpaid, in paper, 30 cents ; in muslin, 50 cents. We have read this work with great pleasure, and can safely say that it is the cheapest, and, for the price, the best work of the kind publishedi The essay on Farm Management, by J. J. Thomas — here reprinted by the permission of the author — is alone worth the price of the book. It is a hopeful indication of progress, that such works as this meet with so extensive a sale that they can be aflorded at little more than the cost of the paper on which they are printed. The series of four " Rural Hand Books" to^which this belongs — "The House," "The Gar- den," "The Farm," and "Domestic Animals," — are sent to those ordering them all at the same time for §1. In speaking thus highly of " The Farm," we would not be understood as endorsing all its statements. It is com- piled from a variety of sources, and generally with good judgment, but on some points the compiler does not suflS- cieutly discriminate between plausible speculations and well established facts. Sometimes, too, though the facts are correctly stated, the principles deduced from them are at fault. Take the following as examples : "The manure of any animal is richer than the food given to it, because it contains, in addition to the residium THE GENESEE FARMEK. 261 of the food, certain particles belonging to the body of the animal." = o j That manure is richer in certain elements than the food eaten by the animals, is true; but it is so simply from the fact that the carbon is consumed by the animals, while nearly all the nitrogen and other elements are found in the excrements. After the carbon ia removed, ihepropor- tioii of the others is increased. Nothing is added. A lump of ore containing gold, silver, lead and iron, would become " richer" by abstracting a portion of the lead and iron. And in the same way food is made richer by pass- ing through an animal. A portion of those elements of least value as manure are abstracted, while nearly all the more valuable elements remain. They are also rendered more readily available as food for plants. On the authority of the late Prof Norton, it is recom- mended to mix " ashes" with superphosphate of lime, for the purpose of drying it. This is an English practice; but the ashes used are coal ashes. Wood ashes would be quite injurious. "Potash, lime, and phosphoric acid, enter largely into the composition of the grain of wheat, and both Hine and silica abound in the straw ; for this reaaon, rich vegetable soils genera ly, being deficient in these elements, are not well adapted to wheat. If this is the "reason;' why is it that these soils are well adapted to Indian corn, which contains as much of the elements named as wheat ? ?it^, "^^^\,-^ Manual for the Propagation, Plantin- Cul- tivation and Management of the Pear Tree. By Tuos W iiELD. New York. A. O. Mooke. 1s5S. -^i^ ^"o«- w. Mr. Field is an intelligent and experienced cultivator of the Pear. The public are indebted to his love of the subject, for a most complete and instructive manual. He commences with the first step in the growth of the Pear, and carefully follows up the process to the final gathering and ripening of the fruit. His teachings are sound, prac- tical and reliable. While the practiced cultivator will find much in the work to interest and instruct him, it will be found particularly useful to the novice. Pear culture in this country is yet in its infancy. We have much to learn, and we have also much to unlearn, before we shall attain the perfection to which culturists in the old world have arrived. We need just the sort of instruction which Mr. Field has given us in this work, to correct our errors and increase our knowledge. Our cli- mate and soil are as well adapted to the growth of the Pear, as the soil and climate of France. There is doubt- less a difference, but in some respects the difference is in our favor. If we persevere, we shall be able to grow this delicious fruit as easily and in as much perfection as the French. We heartily commend the book to all who desire relia- ble and really practical information on the subject. Soil Cultttke; Containing a comprehensive view of Agricul- ture, Horticulture, Pomology, Uoraeslio Animals, Kiiral Econ- omy, and Agricultural Literature. By J. Walden. A. M. II- lustrale.l by numerous Engravings. New York. B. F. Chap- pell & Co. 1S53. A handsome book of 450 pages, containing a vast amount of useful information on the various branches of "Soil Culture." The chief fault of the author is that he has attempted too much, and this has led him into some strange errors. We extract a few, which we hope to see corrected in subsequent editions — for the work is one well calculatedjto be^'popular. " The best varieties [of Apricats] produce their like from the seed." J' Propagation, [of the Lawton Blackberry] is by the offshoots from the roots, or bij seeds." "The tile is not so good as stones;, it is so tight that water does not enter it so readily." Such statements as these greatly detract from, the use- fulness of the book,— though they will not mislead any intelligent reader. Historical and Leual Examination of that part of the Decis- ion of the Supreme Court of the United Stales in the Dre» Scott Case, wliich declares the Unconstitutionality of the Missouri Compromise Act, and the Self-Extension of the Con- stitution to the Territories, carrying Slavery alono' with it. AVith an Adpendix. containins:— I. The Debate in the Senate in March, 1S49, betw^ien Mr. Webster and Mr. Caliioifn on the Legislative Extension of the ' onstitation to Territories' aa contained in Vol. II. Ch. CLXXXII. of' the "Thirt>- Years' View."— 2. The Inside View ot the Southern Sentiment in re- lation to the Wiimot Pr'viso, as seen in Vol. II. Ch. CLXVIII of the "Tlvirty Years' View."— 3. Review of President Pierce's' Annual Message to Coagress, of December, 1S5I5, so far as it relates to the Abrogation of the Missouri Compromise Act and the Classiftcation of Parties. Bv the Author of ihe "Thirty Years's View." New York. D. Appleton & Co. 1S53. A Cyclopeeia ot Commerce and Commercial Navioation Edited by J. Smith Homans, Corresponding Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, and editor of •• The Banker's Magazine and Statistical Register," and by J. Smith Homans, Jr., li a, author of an "Historical and Sta- tistical Sketch of the Foreign Comnierce of the United States " With Maps and Engravings. New York. Harper A Bho. This is an exceedingly valuable work, which we shall notice more at length in a future number. Elementary German Reader, on the Plan of Jacobs' Greek Reader; wiih a full Vocabulary. Composed, Compiled and Arranged Systematically liy Rev. L. W. Hi- ydenreicu, Gradu- ate of ihe University of Prance, and Professor of Languages in ihe Moravian Female Seminary at Bethlehem, Pa. New- York. D. Appleton & Co. 1S5S. The History op Minnesota: From the Earliest French Ex- plorations to the I'rcsent Time. By Kdwaed Duffield Neal, Secretary of the Minnesota Historical Society. Philadelnhia J. B. LippiNCOTT &, Co. 1858.. Texas: Her Resources and Her Public Men. A Companion for J. De Cordava's New and Correct Map of the State of Texas. By J. Db Cordova. PhUadelphia. J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1858. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Farmer, raust be received as early as the 10th of the previous month, and be of such a character as to be of interest to farmers. Terms- Two Dollars for every hun- dred words, each insertion, paid, in advance. CTEAWBEREY PLANTS.-AU of the^most approved varie- O tifs for sale at the Rochester Central Nurseries. Oalalo<'ue8 sent free on application to C. W. SEEL YE "^ August. 1858— 2t Rochester, N. Y. RUSSIA OR BASS MATS— Selected expressly for budding and lying. GUNNY BAGS, TWINES, &c., suitable for Nursery purposes, for sale in lots to suit, by D. W. MANW.-^RING, Importer. August, 18.58.— ly 248 Front street, New York. AT THE OLD ROCHESTER NTJRSERY-which now cov- ers over two hundred acres of land, and where Ihe stock is doubly as extensive as in former years, may be found an assorl- menl oonsislin? of a very exten.Mve and select variety of FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES that are hardv and have been grown wiih much care as to seleclness of sort3,'exlent of variety and size to give entire satisfaction. Parties desiring Nursery Stock, are especially solicited to write the subscriber, who will promptly reply to all comirninic.-itions, and all ordering may rely on receiving" everv possible care and' attention in the execution of their orders, which can be filled to an almost unlimited extejt. An exact inventory of the Stock published scmi-nnnually snd forwarded to all applicanis inclosing a stamp for pre-payinent. Also a Wholesale Trade List for Nurserymen and Dealers S. MOULSON, f'O Front st!, August, 1858.— 11 Rochester, N. Y. 262 THE GENESEE FARMER. "Altogether the vade mecum of this country."— Zfort. THE NEW REVISED EDITION OP lOWNIKG'S FEmiS AKD FKUIT TEEES OF AMEEICA, OB THE CPLIUKE, PKOPAGATION, AND MANAGEMENT IN THE GAE- DKN AN1> OR( UARD, OF FRL'IT TREES GENERALLY, WITH DEtjORiPTlONS OF ALL THE FINEST VARIETIES OF FRUIT, NATIVE AND FOREIGN, CULTIVA- TED IN THIS COUNTKY. •By a. J. DOWNING. KeVISED, CORRKCTED, and GREATLY ENLARGED BY CHAELE8 DOWNING. One thick volume r2mo., of T79 pages. Numerous cuts. Full f'"ii,. ii.ou. THIS edition is intended u, n.niivh a complete manual of Am_ erican Pomology, and contains as far as can at present be ascertained the cliaracler and habiis of all the important fruits of every district of the country. It has been prepared by Charles Downing, whose personal knowledge of most of the different varieties which are grown in various sections of our country, has peculiarly fitted him for giv- ing a reliable estimate of the value of the ditferent varieties, us well as accurate ilescriptions. The errors of the former editions have been corrected, anared to rent lh« same at reasonable rates, for Agricultural Fairs, Military Encamfi- raents. Camp Meetings, Conferences, &c., Ac. I will also manufacture, on short notice. Tents, Flags, Awnings, Bags, and everything pertaining to this branch of business. Address JAMES FIELD. July, 1858.— 3t* Box 701, Rochester, N. Y. ALBANY TILE WORKS. Corner Clinton Avenue and Knox Sts., Albany, Tf.Y. THE SUBSCRIBERS, being the most extensive manufiicturers of Draining Tile in the United Stales, have on hand, in large or small quantities, for Land Draining, Sole and Horse -shoe Tile, warranted superior to any made in this country, hard burned, and over one foot in length. Orders solicited. Cartage free. 0. & W. McCAMMON. Albany, N. Y, Dama & Co., Agents, Utica. Jas. Walker & Co., Agents, Schenectady. April — 6t NURSERYMEN, FLORISTS, AND AGRICULTURISTS, PAUL BOSSANGE, Agent for LOUIS LEROY, of the Grand Jardin, Angers, France, begs to aimounco that he is now fully prepared to execute all orders for Fruit, Forest, and Orna- mental Trees, Shrubs. Flowers, &c. Catalogues of the prices current, embracing shipping and in- surance charges, and all other needful inforniation, mav be had (gratis) on appliralion to PA UL BOSS A N GF, "June, 18iS. — It. 20 Beekman street, New York. FOR SALE. THE Short-Horned Durham Bull "Frank," bred by L F. Sheafe, Esq., New Haniburg, Dutchess county, N.Y. He was three years old last April, is from a good milking stock, has proved" a good stock getter, and would be a valuable animal to oross with native cows. As we have no further use for him, he will be sold at a bargain. For further particulars, applv to July— 2t C. N. BEMENT, Springside, Po'keepsie, N. Y. A LONGETT, No. 34 CLIFF STREET, NEW YORK, DEALER in Peruvian, Colombian and Mexican Guano, Sup«»- phosphate of Lime, and Bone Dust. November 1, 1857. — ly. K (\{\f\ AGENTS WANTED— To sell four new invention*. »)«vlUl/ Agents have made over $25,(i0i) on one, — better than all other similar agencies. Send four stamps and get SO page« particulars, gratis. EPHRAIM BROWN, Lowell, Mass July, ISoS.— 3t* AGENTS WANTED.— For particnlars, send stamp, jy 3t* C. P. WIIITTEN, Tx)weII, Mass, THE GENESEE FAKMEE. 26S SEYMOTJK'S IMPBOVJSD PATENT GRAIN DRILL. TliP simples!, best, and most durable Drill, EVEK. OFPKR.ED TO THE PUBLIC. [Patented bt Prar.poNT Seymour, East Bloomi-ielp, N. T., September, 1819, and lb55. ^...(•rnirainiBi,,, EACH year more and more lully proves the great value ' of drilling. We point with ci>n(iilence to every nel^h- borho >d where wheat has been drilled, in CDuflrniation of this fact. Drills, of different kinds and of different merits, have been in use for many years, and we triumphantly point to the notorious fact that, wherever they have been intro- duced, there their value 15 so well established that the ;-racticeot drilling becomes almost if not entirely universal. Our Drdl has been in use many years, in several States and in Canada, and is now used in more than half the States in the Union, and dealers in agricultural implements send them to/o/-- eign coxintrie» when the best Drill in America is ordered. This Drill embodies in itself all the valuable qualities of all the Drills in use, and it possesses several not found in any other. Hence wcl.-iim ihat it is the CUEAPE.ST as well as the BEST GRAIN DRILL IN THE WORLD. In proof of this strong assertion, we give the following : Extract from the Report of the Hon. B. P. JonNSON. Secretary of the N. Y. State Ag. Society, who was the Agent of the State of N ew York appointed to attend the E.xhibltion of the Industry of all Nations, held in London: '•There were various Drill Machines, very perfect in their con- struction and management, yet too complicated and expensive tor introduction into this country. They do not possess any ma- terial advantages over our own Drills, which are afforded at one- third the price of the best English Drills." Extract of a letter from Mr. Bre\vek, of Oneida county : "Mr. Setmoitr — /)^ar mr: — \ inquired of the Hon. B. P. JoHN'soN. Secretary of the N. T. State Ag. Soeietv, where I could get the best Grain Drill, and he directed me to you. You will therefore please send me one," &c. Extract from the Report of the Committee appointed by the Ag- ricultural Society of Westchester county, N. Y., to visit the State l^''«- HENRY KEELER, Chairman." The following is from the pen of Sanfokd Howard, Esq., Editor of the Boston Cultivator : "The writer, by serving on committees, and otherwise, has had opportunities of examining various kinds of Drills. One of th" best IS made by P. SEVMOirp., of East Bloomfleld, Ontario county, u ;. . V;- H^f^Y Keelek, of South Salem, N. Y., savs, in tlie . <^04"i''y,^®°"''"^^°-"' ^^^"^ ^^ " 'las used one on rough land, and IS satisfied it will work well on any land that a Goddes (or hin^e) Harrow will. He further says: "I have turned out stones^as large as two men could lift, without injuring the Drill in the least.''' This Machine is ear>able of sowing all coarse grain and all fine seed commonly sown by farmers, from corn and peas down to the smallest seed, .such as clover, timothy, and other grass seeds either broadcast or in drills: and, while it is the best diiU for wheat, rye, oats, barley, &c., it is just the thing to drill in fine drv fertilizers before putting in the seed, or these fertilizers may be mixed with the seed, and all deposited in the ground together. Its reputation has been in advance of all other Drills, for the last six years, in the State of New York, and it has six times taken the tlrst prize bestowed on Grain Drills, by the Agriculturpl Soci- ety of this State, including the highest prize and diploma at the great trial of implements made by that -Society, at Geneva, in 1«.52 It 18 one of the most simple in its construction and machinery as well as the most convenient and durable of all Drills, and, without disparaging others, it is believed to be better adapted to the vari- ous purposes for which such a machine is wanted, than any other implement known in America ; and its value is greatly increased trom the fact that it is converted into a Broadcast Sowin" Ma- chme, merely by removing the drill teeth and connecting kibes, which can easily be done in five minutes. A recent improvement, which j)revents the shrinking and swelling of the wood from affecting the correctness of its opera- tion, also adds much to its value. The machinery is remarkably simple, permanent, and easily keptm repair, and all the parts are s:> clearly presenfpd to the Tiew of the operator, that he can readily see it anything is not correct. The grain tails from the seed-box to the tubes, (a space of several inches,) in full view, so that in passing over a field he may be constantly assured that the seed is deposited as designed. DOUBLE RANKED DRILL. The teeth are all placed in one rank, unless ordered to be put in two ranks. It i» believed by those who liave made experi- ments and given the subject their careful attention, that the evils caused by lumps, stones, etc., being thrown by the teeth in the hind rank into the furrows made by the teeth in the front rank, are, in most ca.ses. far greater tlian the advantjges gained. Still,' on prairie land, and other similar land, where tliere are no lumps, but where weeds, gra.ss, stubble, etc., are plowed in, and not turned under deep enough to clear ihe drill points, it may be an object to place the teeth in two ranks. These considerations have induced the inventor to construct his double-ranked Drill so that the teeth can all be placed in one rank atpleasur?, thvn oftviatiiii} in thin Drill the objection to all other two ranked Drills. The price of the Drill with teeth in two ranks is five dollars higher than th(N-e with teeth in but one rank. They ore usually made with nine teeth eight inehe.« apart, sowing just "six feet wide. The wheels are high, and the draught so liglit for a team that those with only seven teeth are now seldom ordered, while there is an increasing demand for those with eleven teeth ; and a still larger size, with thirteen teeth, is now being called for by prairie farm- ers, and those who have large and level farms. If required to sow plaster or any other fertilizer, a •'Feeder" should be added, for these are verv apt to be damp, and if slightly damp the "feeder" is useful. AUhough the Drill is capable o"f sowing grass seed broad-cast, yet. if required to sow grass seed ^ishile (frilUvg any other seed or grain (or while sowing any other seed or grain l)road-cast.) a light' broad-cast " Seeder" is added, with which any seed, from wheat to the smallest seed, can be sown in front of the drill teeth, and is slightly covered by them. Clover and timothy mixed are as readily sown with this as either alone. DRILL WITH GUANO ATTACHMENT. This Drill, with Seymour's Guano Attachment, is another form of the same Drill, with a double box, and is expressly intended to meet the wants of those who wi.sh to drill fine fertiiizers into the ground with the grain, but prefer tf> keep such fertilizers in sepa- rate compartments till discharged from the box, when both seed and fertilizers will pass together through the same drill tubes into the ground. ONE HORSE DRILL, FOR DRILLING AMONG STAND- ING CORN. Still another form of this Drill is constructed for one horse, and is completely adapted to working hfdween the rows of siunding corn, yet it will work on any other land as well as among com • and though light enough for one horse, a light pole or tongue is readily attached, that two may be used if desired. It is made with six teeth eight inches apart, making it just right for workin» between the rows of corn four feet or four feet and three or four indies apart. Though this is thought to be the most desirable size, it may be made any other size," to order. (Corn three feet four inches to three feet eight inches apart, would require one with only five teeth.) It sows six rows of wheat (or any other grain or seed, not excepting heet or carrot seed,) eightinches apart. Or, if any wish to try the experiment, the conducting tubes may be removed, and the seed allowed to fall hron^-ccmt upon the ground in front of the drill teeth, and the teeth will effectually serve as a harrow or cultivator to cover the seed, it will sow within fmir inches of the standing com. By examining Ihe following list, the purchaser can determine which he will order : — Drill with fi teeth, for drilling among com, *,i^ Drill \>itti 9 teeth, '. '. '_ " 90 Drill with 9 teeth and " Feeder,'" \\\\ gp Drill with 9 teeth and '' Grass Seeder," lO.^ Drill with 9 teeth, ' Grass Seeder," and " Feeder," ...'.'....'. ill Drill with 11 teeth, '. lOO Drill with 11 teeth and "Feeder,"....- '.!!!.!!!. 106 Drill with 1 1 teeth and " Grass Seeder," !!.*!!!.'!!!. \VS Diii! with 1 1 teeth. " Grass Seeder," and "Feeder,''. !!!..!!! 121 Drill with "Guano Attachment," (9 teeth,) ."!!.'..!. 110 Drill with "Guano Attachment" and "Grass Seede'rj'"' (g'teVth,) 125 Printed directions for using accompany each Machine. Thoae who wish any other information, will please address C. H. SEYMOUR, August, 1868.— It East Bloomfleld, Ontario Co., N. Y. 284 THE GENESEE FAEMER. Prices of Agricnltural Products at the Principal Markets in the United States, Canada and England. — NEW YORK, July 27th. PHILADELP'IA, July 27th. ROCHESTER, July 27th. CHICAGO, July 20th. TORONTO, July 26lh. LONDON July , ENG., 2th $4.50 @ $6.00 12 00 @ $3.45 $4 50 @ $6.00 $8.25 @ $15.00 do mess, per bbl., . . Pork per 100 lbs., .$10.50 @ $11.50 $15.00 @ $17.00 6.00 16.00 .11 .10 .05 4.00 .80 .54 .48 .38 .40 8.50 1.75 1.00 7.00 .20 4.50 6.00 18.00 .12 .13 .07 5.25 1.00 .56 .50 .40 .45 4.00 2.25 1.12>^ 9.00 .34 6.50 4.25 15.00 .09 .10 .06 2.50 .60 .39 .52 .30 .88 4.50 1.25 .70 8.50 4.40 .10 .16 .11 5.00 .68 .46 .53 .33 5.00 1.37 .90 7.00 10 50 15.00 do mess, per bbl.,.. Lard, per lb., Butter, do 16.00 16.50 .ll^i^ .11% .12 .20 .03 .08 4.10 7.00 .85 1.33 .70 .92 .70 .78}^ .88 .46 .55 .65 4.20 4.50 2.00 2.25 2.00 8.00 9.00 .27 .45 17.25 •IIX .10 19.00 .13 .16 .13 .19 .13 4.40 1.20 .98 .84 .66 .75 5.00 .17 ■nx .18 .28 .15 Flour, per bbl., Wheat, per bush., Com, shelled, per bu., Eye, do Oats, do Barley, do Clover Seed, do Timothy Seed, do Flax Seed, do 4.25 .75 .82 .60 .40 6.50 1.25 .90 .70 .42 8.80 .85 4.30 1.00 5.00 1.16 1.03 .43 .25 .40 4.50 1.50 .60 .88 5.00 1.76 .90 1.02 5.00 7.25 1.60 1.62>^ 2.01 Hay, per ton, Wool, per lb 12.00 .21 4.00 17.00 .24 4.50 .27 .45 .26 .2i Wood, hard, per cord. 4.00 6.50 CONTBNTS OP THIS NUMBER. An English View of American Agriculture 283 John Johnston's Wheat Crop — Salt as a Manure 235 A Day in Wheatland 236 Suggested Items— No. 23 237 Notes for the Month, by S. W 238 Feeding out Corn Stalks 230 Fermented Manure — Composts 240 Bean Straw as Feed for Sheep 240 How Farmers Lose Money. Cost of Rail Fences 241 Plow Deeper. Cultivation of Beans 242 Thin Seeding and Hoeing Wheat 242 Diseases of the Horse. Hoven in Cattle. Kicking Cows. . . . 243 Foot Rot in Sheep 244 Mules w. Horses. Cure for Founder. Fattening Sheep 245 Interesting Letters from Indiana and Nebraska 246 A Missouri Farm. To Prevent Sheep from Scouring 247 Profits of Farming. To make F.irming profitable 248 Barey's Method o? Horse-Taming 248 Working on the Road. Shows for Seed Wheat 249 A Bov's Thought's on some Farmers' Practices 249 The Barometer 249 Guessing. Rust on Oats in Kentucky. Fattening Sheep.... 250 Judge Buel's Appeal to Young Men 251) HORTICtTLTUBAL DEPARTMENT. Failure of the Fruit Crops 251 Fruit Growers' Society of Western New York 253 Laying out a Garden and Ornamental Grounds 254 Peach Growing. Sheep vs. Hogs in Orchards 256 Dwarf Pear Culture. The Apple Tree CaterpiUar 257 ladies' cbpartment. Original Domestic Eeceipta. 257 BDITOU'S TABLE. state Fairs for 1858 258 To our Agents and Friends everywhere 2.')S What is said of the Genesee Farmer 258 American Pomological Society 259 Illinois Miiy or June Wheat Wheat Midgo in Canada 260 Intjuiries and Answers 260 Notices of Books. Pamphlets, ¥^^-^^^^\^ "mASTEE FORDHAM," the property of MESSRS. MOWE & HAINES, OF SACRAMENTO, CAL. SOUTH DOWNS FOE CALIFORNIA. In the January nmnber of the Farmer we gave some account of the " Webb's American Flock" of South Down sheep belonging to Mr. J. C. Taylor, of Holmdel, N. J. Mr. Taylor writes us that he has recently sold eight rams and two ewes to Messrs. J. "W. Mowe & J. W. Haines, of Sacra- mento, California, at "a larger average price than any sale of South Downs ever made in this coun- try." The purchasers have some thousands of sheep of the Mexican and American breed, and propose to cross them with the South Down for the purpose of improving their mutton. We annex a cut of one of these rams — "Master Fordham." lie was sold for $300 — a sum which is said to be $100 higher than was ever before ob- tained for a South Down ram bred in this country. Mr. Taylok breeds nothing but Jonas Webb's South Downs. Mr. Webb has recently shipped him one of his very best rams — one for which he was offered over $1000 for the use of, last season. There can be no doubt that the South Down mutton is the finest in the world. It commands a higher price than any other in the London market, and will do so in this country when better known. Yield of Sugar fr^'m Maple Trees. — IToNESTrs Stearns, of Felchville, Vt., writes us that Abial Kipp, Esq., of West Windsor, Vt., made 380 lbs. of Sugar from 24 trees, in the spring of 1857. Olney Bates, of Springfield, Vt., made 70 lbs. from one tree. The usual yield of this tree was 40 lbs, Mr. Stearns urges everyone to plant the Maple, as well for its usefulness as for its great beauty. NOTES FOE THE MONTH. -BY S. W. Milwaukee and the West. — I arrived here the last of July, after a very pleasant and truly refresh- ing passage in the fast propeUor Mendota^ with her powerful occilating engine. Although we run from Buffalo to Cleveland in less than sixteen hours, under steam alone, the stoppage there to land and receive freight, then at Detroit, Mackinac, Manitou, Manitowoc and Sheboygan, prolonged the passage to four days ; but it was a pleasant prolongation to those who loved cool dog days, and who had eyes to see; and methought there were fewer among our host of passengers who wanted to annihilate time and distance, than I had sometimes seen in a single railroad car. The passage down to Buffalo is made a day and a half quicker, as the strong current in St. Clair and Detroit rivers is then with you, and you only stop twice on the way, except at Detroit, for wood; making the short cut by the Canada shore through Lake Erie to Buffalo. As we were at Mackinac at night, I saw no ara- ted soil until we held up to wood at South Manitou. This is a fine, high, well wooded island, the soil very coarse yellow sand and pebbles, but neverthe- less .so rich in the mineral elements of plants, that the high lands are covered with large deciduous trees, beech, maple, etc., while the lower grounds display a variety, including the evergreen spruce, balsam, etc. The corn was in full tassel, but of a very small variety. Potatoes, though not very for- ward, looked well ; no rot has ever visited this re- gion, and it is said tliat the potatoes here are very superior in qualit}- and flavor. But the soil of all this region lacks alumina; both on the high Michi- gan shore, and at the Mackinac, Fox, Beaver and Manitou Islands, the quartzore principle is so pre- dominant that all the Lake water in this region ac- quires a transparency nowhere to be found further south ; at the Manitous the white, pebbly bottom may be seen as through a pane of glass at a depth THE GENESEE FARMER. 276 of more than twelve feet, while in Milwaukee bay the water is as opaque as river water. Wood and fish, with a few potatoes, are the staple articles of these islands. At Mackinac we took on 100 packages of fish, and four invalid lady passen- gers. These last were anything but the counter- part of the lively fair ones we had received at Buf- falo and Cleveland ; feeble as they were, they had no heart to feel that the noisy little children they now encountered were of the kingdom of heaven ; this brought out the mothers, who did believe it, into sad recrimination, and our ever-vigilant little captain was appealed to, to abate grievances, when all at once a power greater than he, in the form of thunder and sharp lightning closely preceding each loud clap, now stilled every sellish impulse, and effectually relieved the captain from all after re- sponsibility in the premises. After passing the Sleeping Bear, on a sandy head- land of Michigan, we take our course by compass for Manitowoc, on the Wisconsin shore, where we arrive early in the evening and leave freight. Be- fore midnight we land freight and passengers at Sheboygan, and are early on our course for Mil- waukee. At ^anitowoc, all were bewailing the present stagnation and low price of lumber ; just as though the late enormous high prices had not brought about that fast living and headlong specu- lation, which is now receiving its only legitimate and truly practical cui-e. At sunrise next morning we were in sight of the headland or north point of Milwaukee bay. With a stiff south-easter, sail vessels now laid their course for that harbor, but as we were going eleven knots, the captain would not turn up the tired crew to make sail. As we rose from a breakfast of fresldy corned trout, we Avere gliding into Milwaukee's now matchless liarbor. Tlie late rains, added to the back water of the now high lake, had floated up by the roots the aquatic vegetation from the submerged flats of the Menomouee : and the lower harbor was now full of floating islands, covered with sedge gi'ass, flags, and tall weeds in blossom. This is emjihatically a great modern city, as sub- stantial as it is elegant in architectural solidity and finish; the only ])uzzle is, where did the millions come from to build in so short a time such a city of large and costly palaces, public buildings, ambitious mansions, and long streets of tall monster blocks of stores and warehouses ; and above all, a sixty thou- sand dollar schooliiouse, with the semhlements of Bruxelles carpets and French chandeliers included. Here are many mansions whose iron fences or mar- ble vases, and other yard embellishments, cost more money than some of the best houses of an early Western New York village. But Western New York was settled during the day of small things, when wealth was only such by comparison with what would now be looked on as great civilized destitution ; now the subsequent earnings of New York and the whole east have contributed to tlie growth of this great western city. Many brought capital with them ; some brought fortunes made in trade elsewhere; real estate rose in value, trade increased, and the railroads were built. Germany has also added much to the wealth, intelligence and industry of this place ; a large portion of tlie labor- er?, mechanics and manufacturers are Germans, and some of the richest traders. Nearly aU the north and west part of the town is German ; yet homo- geneous as these Teutons are, many of the more wealthy families live in elegant mansions inter- spersed throughout the Yankee quarters of the town, where their near proximity is pleasantly made known by the exquisite music which often comes to you on the zephyrs of a summer evening. It would seem that the architects here, uncon- trolled by Grecian simplicity, vie with each other in tawdry ornament and finish, to the extent often of putting "Jack on the gentleman" ; but the U. S. customhouse is a noble exception; it is, like the Newhall palace and a few other structures, of finely cut white magnesian limestone, from Illinois, — an improvement on the ordinary coarse marble of this region. But that which here is most admirable, as truly denoting the good taste of the people, is the small number of fine dwellings that are serried to- gether in blocks. Notwithstanding the high prices per foot of building lots, every house of any pre- tentions has space around it for carriage way or flowering shrubs, with its little yard or lawn in front, and trees to shade the broad sidewalk. Business here feels the eftect of the late revulsion, but the same causes have reduced the prices of building matei'ials one-half, and labor in proportion, and more dwellings to rent are now being built here than ever. Thus far, house rent has been very dear, from the dearness of building materials and mechanical labor, which checked building ; bnt rents and municipal taxation are now coming down to a level with other values. One great clog to the prosperity of the west gen- erally, and farmers in particular, is the extreme high rates of freight and fare charged by these bankrupt railroads. While it costs the fixrmer twelve cents a bushel to send his wheat here, it is taken from here to Bufl'alo, on a $50,000 propellor, for three cents. Lumber is now sold here at $0 the 1000 feet; yet the farmer, to take it 70 miles to his prairie farm, must pay railroad freight $3,50 for the same. True, these roads were built by very dear borrowing, and reckless mismanagement and steal- ing has overwhelmed them ; but by Avhat rule of ethics should the public be victimized to make up the loss? As two railroads are now finished to the upper Mississippi, this is fast becoming a great shipping port; even the wheat from the Janesville region southwest now comes here for sale and shipment, as it is ninety miles of exposed lake navigation nearer Buflalo from this place than from Chicago. The soil at this place is indicated by the charac- ter of the famed Milwaukee brick. On the high, long extended lake bluti" and its inland declension, the clay lies in great depth ; and such calcareous clay this deponent never saw elsewhere; when at- tempted to be ameliorated with sand or gravel, which also abounds in near vicinity, it becomes in- durated in dry weather, so as to resemble calcifer- ous slate, that no hoe can penetrate, or weed be torn from without leaving its roots behind. Con- tinued doses of coarse vegetable matter, tan bark, etc., with draining, much working, and the aid of frost, can only fit such a soil for garden purposes. But in proof of the organic fertility of this brickey clay, grass grows on it as well as wheat; and the few graceful old oaks that are sometimes " spared," as if they had a fee simple in the dooryard here, 276 THE GENESEE FARMER. now bear witness to the strength of the primitive soih Pork Fatting in Indiana. — Tour correspond- ent G, W. Massey aslvs for advice as to the cheap- est -way of flitting hogs. In reply, I would say, reverse the present practice of throwing corn to them in the cold wet mud of an open railed pen. It is bad enough for the naughty distillers to wash their hog pens into the running stream, but for a farmer to do it is suicidal. I once heard a Rhode Island farmer say that each of his hogs, at a year old, had made him seven dollars worth of rich com- posted manure. G. W. M.'s Pike county farmers have yet to learn that their title to the soil's wealth is not indefeasible. The philosophy of feeding cooked food to fatting animals is, that they digest it better and get all the nutriment that otherwise would have passed off with the fceces. In wintering animals a little raw corn may be fed profitably, particularly to sheep, with other food ; but if you want to put on fat, the grain should be ground and boiled, or steamed, or boiled without grinding; but as a change of food is desirable, a little raw corn may sometimes be fed in default of a change of nutriment more desirable to the animal. s. w. Milwaukee, August 15, 1S5S. EYE AND ITS CULTUKE. The losses sustained from the midge at its first advent in the wheat crop of this section, induced us to give some attention to the culture of rye, as well as some examination into it-s history and the use and estimation which it has where it is most extensively cultivated. We find it a prominent crop in the Eastern States — in amount superior to wheat and next to Indian corn — and consumed largely as a breadstuff. Among the Pennsylvania Dutch it receives considerable attention, and is ex- tensively cultivated on the light lands of Ohio, Michigan, and other "Western States. In some localities in the latter section, however, one object of its growth is the supply of winter pasture, as it may be fed down for some weeks in spring, with very little diminution in the product of grain, and affords a succulent green food at a time when it can not be procured from other sources. The soil on which rye has succeeded best, in our experience, is a rich, sandy loam — the strong clays in which wheat delights seldom producing good crops of this grain. Wet lands are not congenial to rye — a warm, light sand, on which most other grains would yield light returns, will do better in this crop. Good corn land will produce good lye, and it is often sown after this crop, the last of Sep- tember, and also on sward land of the proper char- acter. Probably the best preparation is a thoroughly tilled summer-fallow. Rye likes a deep, mellow soil, and one enriched by manure ; and among the fertilizers which may be employed, a compost of muck and ashes would be very suitable both to the requirements of the soil and the crop. If sown on stubble, manure should be given — we find that after barley, without manure, though the soil and culture were both good, the crop does not fill well, the yield being much less than the growth of straw indicated. The middle of the present month (September) is the proper time for sowing, and from one and a' half to three bushels of seed are given per acre. The earlier it is sown, the more it tillers and spreads, and hence the smaller quantity will be enough at this season. If the growth is luxurious, it may be fed off" both faU and spring; but wher© one relies on this source of pasturage, the greater amount of seed should be sown, and the better character of land given. Harvesting should take place before the rye ia fully ripe, as, with wheat, the grain is heavier and the product of flour of greater amount and value ; beside, there is considerable loss from shelling in the field, if delayed too long. Careful handling is necessary; we have known large wastage when drawn very ripe and dry by careless hands. The average yield may be put at twenty bushels per acre, though crops of thirty-five are occasion- ally produced. Very often, however, fifteen bush- els is as much as a very heavy growth of straw wiU give, especially on land not well adapted to the crop from too great an amount of moisture. Rye bread is esteemed a wholesome and palata- ble food, although those accustomed to wheat bread find it quite a different article. When mixed with Indian meal and baked a long time, it makes the famous " rye and Indian" so well known in New England, and which we have never eaten in per- fection elsewhere. The flour should not be ground too fine or closely bolted, and it is said that an aroma will be retained which is peculiar to this grain, and which renders it more palatable. It has a larger per-centage of sugar than wheat bread, and does not as soon become hard and dry after baking. We have noticed recently that rye flour is used by an extensive bee-keeper in Ohio for feeding his stock in spring, and that it answers in this way a valuable purpose. Rye is pronounced by competent authority a most valuable grain for feeding horses, cattle, and swine. For horses at hard work, and requiring hearty food, the Pennsylvania farmers give both grain and straw, the former coarsely ground and the latter cut, and both mixed together, with good results. Less hay is eaten, and no other grain is required. Corn is sometimes ground with the rye, making a superior food for improving the coat as well as keeping up the strength of the horse. The same provender is valuable for fottening cattle. As early feed for swine, before the corn crop ma- tures, we have used rye with tlie best success. Rye straw is not well relished by stock, yet in some sections its market value makes it the best part of the crop. In Boston it is said that the price averages $15 per ton, though it is chiefly used for the bedding of horses. The greatest demand for it in this section is among nurserymen, for pack- ing trees sent long distances, and this is a want soon supplied. We have foimd it excellent for binding corn, for littering stables, and to add to the stock of manure. J. h. p. Niagara Co., N. Y., August, 1S58. Contrary to the general opinion, a correspond- ent of the Country Gentleman says that Iiis cattle prefer hay made from grass cut when it is ripe to that cut green, although tha early cut hay was " cut, cured, and hoiised in dry weather, and in the best possible condition." THE GENESEE FARMEK. 27 STACKING AlfD FEEDING OUT STRAW. Straw should be stacked in a tight pen, for if you suffer your cattle to eat out of an open pen, the master cattle will guard the stock continually, and the others will have to stay away. This is not all ; your cattle will have chaff in their eyes half of the time. The best way is to keep your cattle away from the straw until you feed them, then give all a chance alike. If you make a pen high enough, and tight, they can not reach. Then cover the stack with some kind of roof, if possible. One of our old fashioned barracks is worth the time and tro'able of building, and I am sorry to see them going out of fashion. Build one or two, reader, on the portable plan, and see if your money is not well invested. Put in your straw as soon as threshed. When it is time to begin to fodder, drive your wagon or sled alongside and load up, then drive out as far as yon please and begin to throw off; let the team keep traveling, and you will scatter the straw sufficiently to let every one have an equal chance. I find from experience and observation, that bunks or racks are poor things to feed straw in ; for cattle want to pick out the best, or cull over, and if the straw is in a bunk they will throw it all out under foot, and then tread it down. If it is scattered as I have directed, and not put in racks, there is no danger of chaff in the eyes. "When you feed straw, feed nothing more ; for if you feed hay once a day and straw the rest of the time, you will miss calculations certain, if your straw is not as good or superior to your hay. If one kind of fodder is the best, they know it full as well as you, and wiU wait for the best and tread the poorest under foot. A. L. S. — Nichols^ N. Y. Tnis is a subject in which every farmer is inter- ested, who raises large crops of wheat or other small grains, and wishes to keep his straw good and free from moulding. Procure large rails, ten feet long, and build four pens in a square, ten feet apart, and high enough for stock to walk under; then take rails long enough to reach from one pen to the other, covering the space between the pens and the two pens next to the threshing machine, — leaving two rails off the pens next the machine, for the purpose of throwing in all the chaft'; when filled, rej)lace the rails. The straw is now thrown on top of the pens and in those opposite the ma- chine, and in those the straw should be well trod- den down, so that the stack may not settle side- wise. For a large crop there can be more pens built opposite the machine, leaving ten feet be- tween and covering the space between with rails, and then stack the straw on the entire lot of pens. This makes a good shelter for stock all winter, as it leaves a space of ten feet each way under the stack, and gives cattle a chance to get away from any that are cross. The advantages of this over stacking on the gi-ound, are^ that the straw keeps better and forms a good shelter for stock ; stock will not pull down more than they will eat ; and it keeps all the chaff dry. The pens must be made of large rails, so tliat the stock can pull the chaff and straw through the spaces ; and when the chaff is all eaten as far as the stock can get it, take a hook, run it into the straw, and with a good jerk you can bring the straw close to the side of the pen ; and in time the straw will begin to fall in from the top, and it is then not much trouble, as it keeps falling as fast as the stock want it. If farmers will try this plan once, and see the benefit of good shelter for their stock, they will always try the straw shelter, — at least those that have no other. Henet Satkb. — Harrisburg^ Ind. If one has but little straw, it is well enough to save and feed it out in the coldest weather ; but if a person has an abundance of it, ^jwf it into a rick, keep the middle a little the highest, let it be well rounded on the top and twelve feet high after it is settled. Swing across the top of it an abundance of long and heavy brush. Sprinkle a little brine, occasionally, around and near the bottom of it — enough for the good of the stock. They will lick up the straw down to the ground where it is brined, — the stack will be too high for the cattle to climb over, — the little waste straw will afford bedding for them, — the stack will be a fine shelter for them in storms, and save the necessity of building one of wood. There is no better way of turning straw to the best possible account. Cattle thus provided for, with a little hay, fodder, and corn, may be presented in as good condition, the first of May, as they were the preceding November. Every farmer should have stock enough about, thus to consume his straw. B. C. W. — Metamora, III, KEEPING CATTLE IN SHEDS AND STABLES THE WHOLE YEAR. Editoes Gejtesee Farmer: — In the July num- ber of your valuable paper is an article from the pen of "P. B.," wherein he says, it is more profit- able to keep stock stabled or yarded, the whole year (on old improved farms), than to let them run in pasture. I did not expect to find arguments running in this direction on this subject ; in fact, "P. B.'s^' declaration is decidedly in opposition to many facts gathered from observation and experi- ence in this matter. This is a question of vast im- portance to farmers; and as one side has been dis- cussed at some length, perhaps a little said on the other side might be of some benefit to your numer- ous readers. "I think it is known by "P. B.," and all other rational farmers, that stock, when closely confined, are much more liable to disease than when they roam leisurely about the fields; in fact, confine- ment and filth are the germs of many diseases, for it is difficult to keep stock clean and healthy when stabled or yarded closely all the time. The effluvia that arises all the time from the droppings of stock, destroys their appetite by spells, and causes much of their food to be left unconsumed. Stock, like people, love liberty ; and when you deprive them of that liberty, they are generally uneasy and dis- satisfied. Exercise promotes good health as well in stock as in people, and justice demands that they should have it for their own health and their own- er's p] ofit. I think "P. B." has not kept a close account of tlie time spent in feeding a large stock, which ought to be three times a day all the time, rain or shine. Through December, January, February, and March, it is as convenient for the farmer to feed his stock as any other time. . In the remaining 278 THE GENESEE FAKMER. two-thirds of the year, the time "P. B." would spend in feeding his stock would be the most valu- able part of the day to labor, both for himself and his teams. I have reference to the cool bracing air at morn and toward the close of the day. "P. B." is right when he says the manure is left where it can be more readily jjrocured where stock is yarded or stabled ; but it will be remembered that if the yard is not right in its construction, much of the manure is lost by draining, leaching, evaporation, etc. "P. B." says one-third the ground will furnish green food for the stock, where tbe other two- thirds would be required if left to pasture. One- third of a field, if prepared and managed correctly, would produce green food that would last as long as the other two-thirds in pasture ; and these are the reasons : The stock, if turned into thick-grow- ing food, would tread under foot lull one-half that is growing on the ground, where it is not lost, by any means, or the held robbed of its fertility. I am satisfied that the time spent in preparing the ground for a piece of corn, either by planting or sowing, and the cutting and feeding out, togeth- er with the loss by sickness or disease of stock, would amount to more tban would be gained by stabling or yarding on three-fourths of the farms iu this State. a. l. smith. 1 inis Dtate. Jilchols, Tioga Co., A^. Y., Augmf, 1S5S. "WE PLOW TOO MUCH." "The true maxim is not to ' culHvate one acre more,' but enrich one acre more, so that it will pro- dace the crop given by two acres heretofore." So says your monthly "Itemizer," speaking of perma- nent grass land. It is true of most soil culture, at least in this section of the country. In regard to "Grass Culture," the necessity for plowing and re-seeding every few years need not occur under proper management. Especially is t'ais the case with rather moist lands, naturally suited to grass. Upland, suitable for grain, would, of course, be seeded in h proper rotation or succes- sion of crops, to be plowed up again in a few years. In New England, the practice is rapidly gaining ground, of keeping moist lands constantly iu grass, and sustaining tliem in a productive state by fre- quent (triennial, at least,) top-dressings of manure. A correspondent of the A'etw England Farmer says, "I know of fields of twenty acres or more, that can be relied upon for two tons to the acre at the first cutting, and one at the second, the sod of which has not been started for the last twenvy years." It is hardly probable that meadows would ever run out, if judiciously top-dressed after mow- ing, and occasionally allowed to ripen seed, or re- nown at times witli the manure, even in hundreds of years Manure for this purpose should be com- posted, and the best time of applying it is undoubt- edly iu autumn. *■' We plow too much" when we attempt the cul- tivation of larger fields than we can properly fertil- ize. It is poor policy to plow and plant five acres for half a crop, when the same labor and expense applied to two acres would produce as much grain. Let us, as "B." says, "grow more grass, keep more stock, and plow less but more thoroughly," and we shall soon be able to plow larger fields, grow larger crops, and bring our whole farms into a more pro- ductive state. One great reason of the failure of the wheat crop, was, in our opinion, the passion for much plowing among farmers. A "great summer-fallow" showed well for enterprise — much more than a great many acres of late, rusty, midge-eaten wheat did — a folly we have been f&\v\j scourged out of the last few years. b. f. TO PREVENT A DITCH CAVnTQ IN SANDY LAND. Editors Genesee Faemee : — In reply to the in- quiries of Mr. J. R. Dill, of Eastern Shore, Mary- land, in the June number. Let him put in the bottom of his ditch triangles made of good heart of oak, formed by notching together piecps of two inch stuft" a foot or more long, and six inches wide. Set these in the ditch six or eight feet a])art, with the apex of the triangle up; then cover with good heart stuli" boards, twelve, sixteen, six or eight feet long, as is convenient. This makes a trunk that can not cave. Then put in large, long brush, filling with these two or tlu-ee feet, more or less ; lastly, cover with reversed sods, straw or hay, and then fill in with soil. Or, lay rails in the bottom of the ditch, as far apart as necessary to carry all th3 water. Split pieces of stuif from oak blocks sawed two feet long; put one of these pieces under the ends of the rails or pieces you lay in the bottom, then cover with the split pieces, lapping the lower edge over the upper edge of each piece, and cover as deep as you please with sod and soil over all. Either of these ways will make a good durable un- derdrain, and the deeper it is laid the better, to a reasonable depth. nocheder, IncL, July, 185S. CHAS. BEACKETT. a\feioan Cattle. — The Rev. Mr. Adamson, Sec- retary of the Geographical Society, recently gave the New York Farmers' Club a discourse u[)on the oxen of Southern Africa. A marked feature of them is large horns, heavy fore quarters, with a hump on the shoulders. They are generally used fourteen oxen in a team, hitched to ])onderou3 wagons. The general extent of a farm is five or six thousand acres, and the people don't think a family can be supported very well upon less land than that. Tlie grain raised is wheat of a good quality, and it is common to sow twenty or thirty acres, and to use that soil until it fails, and then ])low up a new spot. The same practice is a little too common in this country. The cattle are gen- erally ver}' stubborn and hard to train. They are tall and big boned, and travel with great speed. The sheep kept there are of the broad-tailed sort, the tail sometimes growing to a mass of fat of ten or twelve pounds, which is in some measure a sub- stitute lor butter with the people. Four Calves in Eleven Months. — As evidence to your readers that the cows of this section are doing what they can to obey the injunction, " mul- tiply and replenish the eartlj," I need only to give you the following instance of a neighbor's cow that has brought four calves in eleven months, that is, two in the spring of 1857 and two in the spring of 1858, but all within eleven months. R. 11. — Ma- honing^ Pa.^ 1858. THE GENESEE FARMER. 279 "HOED CROPS — CLEAN CULTURE." A GOOD word was spoken on this subject, in your July number. May we add a few further induce- ments to thorough work in the matter? "The work of hoeing^ hke that of acquiring knowledge," says a contemporary writer, "is never finished until the crop is matured and nearly ready for har- vest." This is certainly true, as long as there are weeds to destroy, or hard clods or crust to make mellow. Haying and harvest are over for this year, at least, with our grain crops. We can do no more for tkem; but our hoed crops are yet growing, and growing luxuriantly, in most cases, tliough rather backwai'd from late planting. Can we do anything to help on their maturity? But little, it is true, but that little will have its reward. There never was a season, so late, so untavorable, that weeds would not grow, and grow well. There never was a year so propitious that worTc was not needed to destroy them — to prevent tlieir injuring our crops. And there is yet work of the kind to be done in our corn fields, among our potatoes and other root crops. Let us, then, if it is a possible tiling to make leisure for it, pull up these weeds, and let the corn have the field and tlie rest of the season to itself. If we do so, we shall certainly have cleaner fields hereafter, and a hundred to one if every day's work is not repaid by two or three bushels of corn extra. "Who ever knew an ungrateful corn field? (as we once asked in another place.) Wheat may go to the — weevil, and oats or barley come short of their pro]>er stature and product, but who ever knew our Native American cereal to be decently treated and fail to show a proper appreciation of the favor? Give it, then, another lift, good friends. Potatoes should not be allowed to become weedy ; but if here and there a specimen pig- weed has es- caped the hoe, root it out — do not suffer it to seed the soil for rods around it. If we would now re- solve to wage a war of extermination against all useless vegetation, we should find business for every spare hour in the present, and a farm much easier tilled and more productive in the future, j. ii. b. MULES vs. HORSES. IiT traversing a desert, where there is much toil and scanty feed, the mule is preferable. He may be preferred, also, where those who perform the labor have no choice about the kind of animals that they use; will sometimes be preferred when some distemper is liable to rage among horses ; individ- uals who are unable to be at the expense of keep- ing horses may now and then prefer them, as a man prefers a blind horse to one that has eyes, be- cause his purse will permit him to obtain the for- mer but not the latter; and sometimes a queer genius will harness a pair of them to his carriage, because they are something odd, and thus produce among some, who are ambitious of notoriety, a rage for mules, till a few of the inexperienced have had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with their virtues : but in other cases, in an enlightened and fruittul country, the horse will usually receive the preference. There are two reasons for this preferment. 1. His heauty. The horse is one of the hand- somest objects that adorn our earth. He is sur- passingly beautiful, graceful, and majestic, both in his form and in his movements ; while the ugliness of the mule is almost painful to the view. So long as man is an admirer of smiling flowers, graceful trees, fine carriages, and beautiful architecture, and will make sacrifices to secure them, so long he must give the horse the preference, even if there was a deficiency in every other excellence. 2. His docility. The horse has great endurance ; though in this he is not equal to the mule. But he is his equal in tleetness, his superior in spirit and courage, and greatly excedes him in docility. The latter is far more prone to kick, is much more inclined to stubborn willfulness, and in every way is less tractable and trusty ; and as long as impa- tient man prefers machinery, that will operate without giving him trouble, so long he will prefer the former animal to the latter. The latter in&y be much less liable to disease, and attain to a much greater age, notwithstanding. Man prefers to have his possessions in quietness and safety for a shorter period, rather than to enjoy them longer in turmoil and insecurity. It will therefore ])ay better to raise horses instead of mules, both for farm pur- poses and for market. u. c. w. Metamora, Elinois, 1S5S. PRESERVING CHEESE FROM INJURY BY FLIES. As soon as the cheese comes from the press, re- move it to a dark room that has been fumigated with a tea-spoonful of brimstone or sulphur. As soon as it is dried off a little on the outside, give it a covering of cotton cloth entirely over its whole surface. This cloth should first be dipped in a so- lution of Gum Arabic, then apply it after it is dry. If you are yet a little doubtful, rub the outside over with the Gum Arabic water; this will settle the matter, if you keep your room dark. If you think there are flies about the room, fumigate as many times as you please. Y)u may borrow some trouble about the smell or taste of the brimstone^; but you will realize no damage from this cause, for I am in the habit of smoking my haras with brim- stone, and then hang them in my garret for summer or fall use, and you could not guess what they were smoked Avith. If you have no Gum Arabic, then make a cotton bag large enough to hold the cheese, dip it in a solution of salt and water and dry it ; repeat this dipping and drying process three times, then put in your cheese and tie up the sack or bag tight, and lay away in your dry dark room. A. L. Smith. — Nichols^ iSF. Y. New Mediteekaxean Wheat. — As there seems to be much complaint in Western New York, as well as many other places, of the midge or field weevil destroying the wheat, I thought it might be well to recommend a trial of the new or red Med- iterranean, a variety which has succeeded in our county for two or three years much better than the old Mediterranean, or any other variety. It ripens early, makes a fine crop, and in two fields I had this season I did not see any of the weevil, while a variety of white wheat by the side of it was very much injured by them. The straw and chaff of this new Mediterranean wheat has a rauel! redder appearance than the old variety, while the grain is much the same, and the flour fully equal. Thos, Wood. — Peiiningtonville, Fa. 280 THE GENESEE FAEMER. im'M^iMiM^. FATLTTRE OF FRUIT CEOPS. We observe by the Genesee Farmer that the fruit crops of "Western New York are as short as those of Ohio. The peach trees suffer from the curl in the same degree us ours, and cherries and plums seem also diseased. We cannot, however, endorse the opinion that the coldness of the soil and the high temperature of the air are the cause of the curl, and that thorough drainage would prevent the occurrence of this disease, for we have a number of peach trees growing in a very warm well-drained soil, with no other crop beneath them, that are ir- recoverably injured. This is the case in and around Cleveland, where the soil is naturally warm and well-drained. Drainage is excellent for trees, but we doubt if it will prevent the curl. — Ohio Farmer. We did not say that " thorough drainage would prevent the occurrence" of the curl in peaches. We distinctly stated that "perhaps nothing can be done to entirely prevent such losses ; but much may be done to mitigate the injurious effects of adverse seasons." And again : " The best means that could be employed might have been found ineffectual." And yet again : " While, therefore, the atmospheric changes are beyond the control of the cultivator, he may do much to mitigate their injurious effects, by raising the temperature of the soil — and this he is enabled to do by thorough underdraining, and keeping the land loose and free from weeds, grass, &c." It is one thing to " prevent " and another to " mitigate " the injurious effects of a disease. That the primary cause of the curl in peaches is the low temperature of the soil, we have little doubt. The case mentioned by the Ohio Farmer does not dis- prove this. However " naturally warm and well- drained " the soil may be, the warm weather in the spring may come on so suddenly that the soil may remain quite cold while the atmosphere is very hot, and thus the equilibrium between the leaves and the roots be destroyed, and an unhealthy growth induced, which subsequent cold weather may in- jure. This was the case the present season. Now if the "low temperature of the soil " is the primary cause of the curl, it is certain that thorough under- draining will increase the temperature of the soil some degrees, and consequently lessen the evil ; — that it will '•'■ prevenV it we do not assert. That the curl is not an inherent disease is evident from the fact that peach trees growing in the green- house of S. Mathews, Esq., near this city, the present season, were exceedingly healthy, and pro- duced a very fine crop. No signs of curl were ap- parent, while trees exposed to the sudden changes of temperature in the open grounds were affected worse than in any former year. Every fact that has come to our knowledge indi- cates that the chief cause of the disease is cold — either severe weather in winter, or sudden changes of temperature in the spring. Last winter was unusually mild, and yet the peach trees this season, suffered more than usual. The sudden changes of temperature in the spring, therefore, combined with the immature growth of last season, are probably the principal causes of this result. If this is so, the method of cultivation we have recommended, by increasing the health and vigor of the tree, by promoting the better maturity of the wood, and by increasing the temperature of the soil and conse- quently of the sap absorbed — will enable the trees to withstand, with less injury, the severe cold of winter and the sudden changes of temperature of the air in spring, and thus lessen the chances of injury from adverse seasons and other causes be- yond our control. The soil around Cleveland, we know from a per- sonal examination, appears "naturally warm and well-drained." At the same time, it is not at all improbable that in wet seasons of the year it con- tains an excess of stagnant water. Such is often the case with the lightest and the highest land. This is a very unpopular doctrine, and few v,iU be- lieve it, but it is true nevertheless. WEEPING OR DROOPING TREES. That there is a rapidly increasing taste for orna- mental planting, is indicated by the annnally in- creasing demand for ornamental trees and shrubs. We fear, however, that it is in a great measure confined to the residents of our cities and villages. Few of even our best and most intelligent farmers bestow more than a passing thought on this sub- ject, while the great mass of farmers neglect it al- together, A very little attention to ornamental planting would in a few years change our gaunt and glaring farm houses into home-like and attract- ive residences. It has always been the aim of the Genesee Farmer to infuse a taste for ornamental planting among our rural population. We can do this in no better way than by giving an occasional illustration of such trees as are worthy of more attention than they at present receive. Weeping or Drooping trees have within a few years past received more than ordinary attention. There is even in some instances a disposition to plant THE GEITESEE FARMER. 281 them too freely. Though elegant, graceful, and beautiful, they communicate, when too numerous, a mournful aspect to the landscape. On this ac- count they are peculiarly appropriate for cemete- THE KUEOPEAN WEEPING ASH. ries. But we do not want to give our dwellings the appearance of mausoleums. No grounds can be perfect without a few weeping trees, but they must be judiciously ari-anged and not too numerous. The European "Weeping- Ash — {Fraxinus excel- iior fendula) — is one of the oldest and most widely disseminated trees of this character. Grafted on a common Ash, eight to twelve feet from the ground, it makes a tree of great beauty. This variety of the Ash was discovered in a field in Cambridge- shire, England, about the middle of the last cen- tury. From this grafts were taken, and the variety was rapidly disseminated over Europe and America. In the environs of London there are many very fine specimens of this tree, generally from 15 to 25 feet high, with branches drooping to the ground, and covering a space of from twenty to thirty feet in diameter, or upwards. There is a specimen in the garden of a public house in Pentonville, of which the branches are trained on horizontal trellises, at the height of about seven feet from the ground, over twenty-eight seats and fourteen tables, cover- ing a space thirty-six feet long by twenty-one feet wide! The Ash will grow in very barren soils, and in low mucky situations, where. Woodward says, 'the roots act as underdrains, and render the ground about them firm and hard." Lang, an ex- cellent authority, however, states that " it is found in the highest perfection on dry loamy soils. On such it grows spontaneously. In moist, but not wet soils, it grows fast but soon sinks." It wiU grow freely on most soils, if the situation be toler- ably good, except on retentive clays. " The Ash asks not a depth of fruitful mould, Bat, like frugality, on little means It thrives; and high o'er creviced ruins spreads Its ampl'^ shade, or on the naked rock, That nods in air, wiih graceful limbs depends." The Weeping Sophora — {Sophora Jajwnioa pendula.) This is a remarkable variety of the Ja- panese Sophora. It is a leguminous tree, and the foliage closely resembles the laburnum and locust. The shoots are quite pendulous. When grafted near the ground, the shoots run along the surface, like those of a trailing plant, to a very great extent a.rnAUENBEnoen.sa. THE WEEPING SOPHORA. from the main stem — extending, in good soil, six or eight feet in one season. Gralted on tall stocks of the Japan Sophora, it sends downward a head of long, slender, green shoots, and forms one of the 282 THE GEITESEE FARMER. most ornamental of pendulous tfees, both in sum- mer and winter. Our engraving is taken from a specimen growing in Knight's Exotic Nursery, Chelsea, England. It is none too hardy here at Kochester, but succeeds well when planted on good, dry soil, where its shoots will ripen per- fectly. It is one of the most beautiful of weeping trees, and should he extensively introduced wher- ever it succeeds. Formerly our collection of weeping trees was rather meagre, but our nurserymen now propagate five or six varieties of weeping ash, and several of willow, besides weeping oaks, elms, poplars, beech, birch, mountain ash, larch, linden, laburnum, so- phora, thorns, and many others. ADOEinNG AND BEAUTIFYING FARMERS' HOMES. OuE ofter of a prize for the best essay in answer to the question, "Should Farmers adorn and beautify their Homes and Farms before they be- come wealthy ? and if so, how may it be done in the easiest manner?" has called out answers from a great number of esteemed correspondents, and we believe a few extracts from some of them wiU prove interesting to our readers : Martin S. Gregg, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, writes tliat he is in favor of adorning the house before the farmer becomes wealthy. He says: " I am poor, and any one can do as I have done. I have taken from our native forests some fine trees and flowers, which cost me nothing but a little labor. To these I added a few imported trees and flowers. And now my farm will command twice as much money as it would without these adornments.'''' "To neglect home attractions, to forego internal conveniences, and those external adornments which a just appreciation of the beautiful Avould dictate, until our pockets are lined with superfluous wealth, and many years and cares are weighing heavily upon us, is like refusing to eat until our granary and larder are overflowing with husbanded stores, and our wasted frames admonish us of our imprudence. " With the many, a reasonable degree of comfort is accounted as everything, and beauty nothing. Such persons have no idea of the potency of influ- ences. The tastes and characters of our children, and the subsequent happiness consequent upon the exercise of those tastes and the development of those characters, are greatly dependent upon the externals and internals of the home of their child- hood." " In the construction of their homes, farmers are apt to act with too little premeditation and thouLdit. He who would build him a home, can never invest money so well as to purcliase and study some reli- able work on rural arcliitecture. He will tliere learn that even a cheap house can be so constructed asto combine internal convenience of arrangement with exterior beauty and attractiveness. He who -would adorn his grounds and beautify his home, should read some work on landscape gardening, and regularly and continuously some good agricul- tural and horticultural journal. Thus he will place himself in communion with persons of cultivated ! and refined tastes, and thereby be enabled to act with more judgment, and with far more satisfactory- results. Each year should add new attractions to the surroundings of home, developing new beau- ties: thus our cliildren will grow up with a strong attachment to the homes of their childhood. " This work of beautifying our homes is easiest done, where the work commences with the com- mencement of agricultural improvement, and is conducted with good taste and an enlightened judgment. O. 0. G. — Frewslury^ N. Y. "If the farmer has sons and daughters, and wishes them to grow up farmers and farmers' wives — loving himself, their own old homestead, and a farmer's life — there must be something more than mere out-door labor, and the freedom of healthy exercise, to engage their hearts ; the farm dwelling and all its appendages must be pleasant and attractive — a place that they can ever remem- ber and love, not only as the home of their youth, but as a beautiful place. If this is done constantly while they are growing up, he will not so often have occasion to lament that his sons are dissatis- fied with the occupation of their father, and seek something more congenial." "A good farm is worth beautifying, and should appear as well as it really is ; but it is in very bad taste to see the exterior of anything nicer than the interior: it reminds one of the dandy parading Broadway. Let the house be a rural home, appro- priate to its position, surrounded with shade trees, for the two-fold purpose of greatly adding to the comfort of its occupants and the beauty of the place. Spare for a grove on the highway, those trees most sound and thrifty, and one here and there over the pasture lands; it will give the farm a more natural appearance, and it will not present so barren an aspect; and the panting ox and sheep, reclining beneath its refreshing shade, will return a look of gratitude. Fences should be constructed with a view first to permanency, and their adapt- edness to the wants of the field, and then built neatly as well as substantially, — strait as possible, every board of its proper size and in its proper place, — the posts perpendicular, and not one peer- ing over its fellows. The farmer need not be afraid of paint; it gives durability as well as beauty to his buildings and farm implements. It is an agree- able sight, as well as economy, to have "a place for everything and everything in its place," and a bad sign to find the farming utensils scattered over the farm where last used. In a barn, utility, conven- ience, and adaptation to the wants of domestic animals, are essential. "Let the exterior of the dwelfing look as well as the interior, for we lose nothing by endeavoring to procure the favor of others. Adorn the inside with a library of works, whether treating of agriculture, science, art or religion, the tendency of which is to lift a man up, intellectually and morally, and place him where he was designed to be, ' a little lower than the angels.' " There are, we might say in truth, a thousand ways in which a farmer's home may be beautified ; but it is a fact that everything looks well, that is appropriate to its peculiar place and work. Fine THE GENESEE FARMER. 283 horses, cattle and sheep— i. e., in good condition — do most towards adorning a farmer's barn-yard; fine crops the field; a fine farmer and wife the whole. Such a farmer, if he ever has the good fortune to be called wealthy, will be so in a three- fold sense — in possessions, in mind, and in heart." S. E. P. ' " Should farmers adorn and beautify their farms and homes before they become wealthy ?" Yes. There are many reasons for answering thus. Many of them may never become — in the popular sense of the term — wealthy ; and should they forego the pleasure, all their lives, of having a pleasant home? We live and labor too much as though riches were the height of enjoyment, when in fact it is not so, — the choicest blessings are free to all. It seems hardly possible for a man to be truly wealthy with- out a pleasant home. "Delays are dangerous." Let a farmer turn his whole attention to becoming wealthy, making it the all-engrossing topic, bend- ing everything to accomplish it, and training his family to that as the matter of greatest moment in this world, — teaching them that first of all they must become rich, and then they may plant trees and flowers, — who will tell him when he is rich? In all probability his family — those who should have been taught to sympathize with nature — will have grown iip selfish and cold-hearted, and been scattered, before the man will have found out that he is able to make his home an attractive spot. How often have we seen a costly mansion, with nothing cheerful or inviting around it, — notliing to tell us that one of its inmates has a single pulsation in unison with the beautiful and lovely things of nature ! And we have seen the cabin, witli that tasteful arrangement around it which has led us to feel, that although its inmates were not rich in gold and silver, they had that which was far better — gentle dispositions and cultivated and refined sensibilities. It seems to me that no child of crime could proceed from a cheerful and beautiful home. "How may it be done in the easiest manner?" "Order is nature's first law." Have regular fields and tidy fences. Build nothing but what can be finished in a neat and substantial manner; a small house in good repair is better and prettier than a large one going to ruin. Take from tlie woods the sugar maple, the ash, the hickory and butternut; plant small groves in the pasture and an occasional tree in the meadow, and a row on the street. Your neighbors have flowers of various kinds, and will be glad to give or exchange. Observe. Our tastes are not all alike ; it is a good thing they are not, for thus we have variety ; we must each set about it and cultivate our own. One of the Boys. — Ar- rowsmith''s, Defiiance Co.., Ohio. " The planting of ornamental trees should be at- tended to among the first operations of adorning the home. Of these, evergreens deserve the first place. Their fresh green foliage during winter, when all other vegetation lies dormant, gives them the preference over all other ornamental trees. But for variety, deciduous trees should also be planted. Most kinds of fruit trees are good for ornamental planting, especially when dwarfed. There are two seasons at which they are particularly ornamental, namely, when in bloom and when ripening their loap of fruit. In addition to this, their profitable- ness will soon repay the cultivator for his care and expense. But every one must be his own judge in the kinds of trees he selects. A variety of small flowering shrubs, such as roses, snow-drops, &c., is another necessary ingredient in beautifying a home. Again : the spot designed for a lawn or yard should be carefully cleared of all rubbish, and as smooth a surface as possible imparted to it, and a good coat of green grass secured. Gardening sh.nild also be attended to with neatness and care. "These, and nearly all other operations essen- tially necessary to ornamenting the home, can be done with very little cost, during the spare mo- ments which farmers can have, if they properly economize their time. Beautifying and adorning the farm is rather a more extensive task, but with care and perseverance may be easily accomplished. Next to the beautiful homestead, the orchard is the greatest ornament to, as well as the most profitable part of the farm. Probably the easiest way to beautify a farm, is to have the various kinds of fruit trees planted and arranged with neatness; shade trees and groves planted in such ])laces as they are needed, and where they will present an attractive appearance ; to lay off the fields in con- venient, regular and symmetrical forms ; keep the fences, &c., in a good state of i-epair; keep down the growth of bushes and briers; keep the fields not occupied Avith grain, in clover or some other green crop, and let neatness and order have pretty full sway. W. H. M. — irahoning^ Fa. Peobablt "the easiest manner" in which a farmer may "adorn and beautify" his home and farm, is by the judicious and skillful planting of trees, vines, and shrubbery. I might qualify by adding, either, or both useful and ornamental : but to my mind, that which is truly beautiful is always useful, although its utility may not be measured by dollars and cents." " I ANSAVEE the first question decidedly in the affirmative, and noto is the time to do it. How ? I answer, by setting out trees. Keep your house well boarded and shingled, and jiainted a dark brown or chocolate color, as being the cheapest and most durable. Keep your barn tight, warm, Avell lighted with windows, and don't forget to have ventilating chinmeys reaching from each separate stable out at the top of the barn. Wash your barns and sheds with blue lime, adding some brown pig- ment to correspond with your house. Then take the extra expense that German lead would cost and lay it out in trees. There is nothing so beautiful as a brown colored house seen through a clump of trees. If you cannot get trees any other way, run in debt for them. Apple, pear, plum or maple trees will pay for themselves in a few years, with all the interest on the outlay." H. Stearns. — Felchville, Vt. "I:!T locating a house, follow convenience and economy; and still I would in no case put the woodhouse in front, nor the house behind the barn. In building, remember that there are two sides to a house, — the inside for yourself and family, and the outside for other folks; and the Golden Rule does not require you to do more for others tlian you would or can do for yourself. Depend upon it, your friends will admire your inside comforts, rather than your outside show." 284 THE GEKESEE FAEMER. BOTH USEFUL AND OKNAMENTAL. In the American Institute Farmers' Club, re- cently, Solon Robinson, speaking of the cultiva- tion of small fruits, remarked that he had growing in his yard, as a mere ornament, the Spirea, which blossoms only once a year, and which was useless ; while the currant was a handsomer bush, and in addition to ornament, it afforded a wholesome fruit. Another year, if he lived, would root out the Spi- rea, and put in its place currant bushes. In proof of their superior beauty, he directed attention to several branches of currant bushes laden with deli- cious fruit, which several members of the Club had brought in as specimens. A section from a cherry currant bush, in particular, was singularly beauti- ful ; the berries being large, of uniform size, and equally distributed over all the branches. They were more inviting than strings of rubies. Solon Robinson scarce forgave himself when he thought of his unproductive Spirea, which has cum- bered the ground that would as freely have bestowed its gifts on plants yielding food for man — even the berries his palate so relished in hot weather. But he promised amendment for next year. Those currants were delicious; so were the gooseberries, which looked like big green plums that grow on trees. Yes, when it is as easy to cultivate what gives beauty and food too as that which gives only beauty, why not have the useful and the ornamental ? "We rejoiced to hear wisdom speak in that strain. It is well for those who have plenty of land for both ornamental shrubs and berry bushes, to beau- tify their homes with a variety of attractions. But if only one can be cultivated, by every considera- tion let that one be such as yields food for man, especially as such food has no substitute. Some kinds of the small fruits should grow in every yard where there is a spot large enough to giant a bush. — Life Illustrated. We are decidedly in favor of growing currants — they are admirably adapted to our climate, easily grown, very productive, and so useful for a variety of purposes as to be quite indispensable in every household. Their extended cultivation can not be too often recommended, and especially the proper cultivation of good varieties. The way to do this, however, is not to urge farm- ers to dig up their spireas and other ornamental shrubs. "We are too utilitarian. "We do not suffi- ciently appreciate the beneficial effect of the beau- tiful, either on ourselves or our children. Those who take pleasure in ornamenting their homes and keeping neat gardens, will usually be found the most intelligent, the most thorough and the most systematic cultivators. The man who plants pota- toes in his front garden, seldom has good stock in his yards or good crops in his fields. He who digs up his spireas to plant currants, will set them out in the corners of his worm fences, and leave them to struggle with the Canada thistles for the mas- tery. A stranger, seeing our friend Solon's recom- mendation to dig up the spireas and plant currants, would think the United States the most densely populated country in the world, and that there was not land enough, under the best system of cultiva- tion, to supply the inhabitants with the conmion necessaries of life. GOOSEBEEKY MILDEW. Peof. Berkley, one of the ablest of cryptogamic botanists, has recently examined the Fungus which attacks the gooseberry in this country, and fur- nishes a description of it for the London Garden- er^s Chronicle, from which we extract the following : "It is extremely common in Pennsylvania, ex- tending as high as Canada, and is frequently so vir- ulent as almost to make the culture of smooth va- rieties of the gooseberry useless, for it is only in very favorable years that any fruit can be obtained. The mycelium is as thick and felt-like as the clothy web {Erysiplie 2)annosa) which so often attacks our roses, and even when it does not entirely kill the fruit renders it uneatable. In some years it is dif- ficult to find a single berry which is not affected. The parasite is a member of the same section of Erysipfie as the rose mildew, and hke that belongs to Leveille's genus SphmrotTieca, characterized not so much by its matted mycelium as by the perithe- cia containing only a single nearly globular ascus or sac. The primary or Oidioid state of the species possesses no distinctive peculiarity. The tips of the threads which spring from the circumference of the perithecia have a brown tint, as indeed sometimes is the case with the whole mass. Our American friends should take a lesson from the grape mildew in behalf of tlieir gooseberries. As the disease in its first stage like the grape mil- dew is an Oidium, there is every reason to believe that the same treatment will have similar results, and as sulphur (at least sublimed sulphur) properly applied is a sure remedy in the one case, we have no doubt about its efficacy in the other. "We have in Great Britain an allied Fungus which attacks gooseberries. It seldom however does any mate- rial injury, and never assumes the dense matted form of the Sphcerotlieca. Our figure represents (1) a perithecium with its processes magnified ; (2) the tip of one of these more highly magnified and minutely granulated (this character however is not constant) ; (3) two of the asci with their contained sporidia highly magnified ; and (4) two spores of the plant in the Oidioid state. THE GENESEE FAEMER. 285 FAILURE OF NUESERY TREES. I HAVE read with^mucli interest the different ar- ticles that have appeared in your excellent journal, on the failure of nursery trees. The information which has been elicited will prove useful to many, and no doubt save the life of many a valuable tree. I do not think, however, that the root of these has been reached by any one ; at least, I have not observed any opinion offered that I should deem a satisfactory solution of the question, and therefore beg to offer one more. I may say that I am in the practice of planting thousauds of nursery-raised trees every year, of ages varying from three to ten, and received from distances of from twenty to three thousand miles. The reasons given for failure, so far, are, that the trees have been badly lifted, badly packed, badly transported, or badly planted, — the last including improper soil or situation. That trees are liable to be injured by all these is a well known fact ; but the very act of lifting a tree is in itself an injury, and death does not necessarily follow, Neither does it necessarily follow that because a tree has been badly lifted, badly packed, a long while on the way, or badly treated generally, it must therefore die. If a tree reaches the owner alive, and it dies afterwards, it is through unskillful management on his part. If I go to a wood and select say a ten year oak sapling, preserve every branch, and remove it with the greatest care, the chance is 70 per cent, against its living at all, and 90 per cent, against its doing well ; but if I lop off all the branches, leaving but the "bare pole," it will grow, and sometimes do well. If cut sti'l more, say to the surface of the ground, you may leave the " stump" to broil in the sun for a week before planting, and even if the stump have, like a " badly lifted nursery tree," all its roots cut off close to the "tree," it will live and throw up good suckers, and make, with some help from art, a good tree. This is called skill, and is founded on the knowledge that the branches are supported by the roots, and that if there be a greater demand on the roots than they are in a condition to supply, the tree must die. It is the province of the buyer to see to this. He can judge when he receives his trees, by a comparison of the roots with the branches, whether the proportion is much out of order, and he can proceed in some- thing like the foUowmg numerical mode of reason- ing : — First, if a tree is not transplanted it does not die, because the relative positions of roots and branches are not disturbed. Secondly, when trans- planted very carefully, and replanted immediately, its growth will yet be checked a little ; pruning a little will restore the balance. Thirdly, if taken up with few roots, prune still more. And fourthly, if, in addition to all this, the trees get dry from bad packing or otherwise, prune still more. And thus the planter will see that the rule obtains, that no tree shoidd be transplanted without having its branches pruned to a degree corresponding to the injury to its roots. This is my own practice, and I rarely lose a tree. There is nothing lost by the operation. On the contrary, trees so pruned will be stouter and larger at the end of the first season's growth, than un- pruned ones of the same age. I planted 250 stand- ard pear trees this spring, obtained three hundred miles northeast of me. About 100 of these did not get pruned, through an oversight ; though they are all alive, no one would compare them now, either in size or general health, with the pruned ones. At the same time, and from the same place, I obtained a large stock of dwarf pears. After I had them planted and pruned, and they had burst into fuU leaf, I wanted to plant six in another part of the grounds ; they were taken up, still more se- verely pruned, and to-day I measured shoots of this season's growth three feet long. I again repeat that if a tree dies, it is in the main the fault of the purchaser, in being unskilled in the "art and mystery" of pruning. A tree may be dug up badly, or replanted badly, but all the long list of "badlys" may be remedied while life re- mains to work on. oultivatoe. ABOUT SPADING GARDEN BEDS. Having "laid down the shovel," or spade, rather, with which I have been digging up a plot of ground for autumn planting of strawberries, I take up the pen to offer you some suggestions on the subject. Spading was probably the original method of preparing the ground for the seed — though the implement, no doubt, stood far back of its present convenient character ; and the same process, prop- erly performed, now completes that work most thoroughly and perfectly. The best way to do it, is a question of some interest to all gardeners. To commence, take a first spade full from the corner of the plot to be dug up, and place it in any depression of the surface ; next invert two spade- fuls in the room occupied by the first, and proceed diagonally across the plot. Push the spade in nearly perpendicularly, and in parallel rows, from six to eight inches apart, according to the nature of the soil. Lift out the earth moved carefully, and turn it completely upside down, so that the earth from below may lie on the surface ; break aU large clods, and remove stones, if any are turned to the liglit in the operation. Some begin at one side of the piece to dig, and throw the first row taken out to the opposite side of the piece ; but this re- quires more labor, without any special advantages. Lazy gardeners push in the spade at a large an- gle, and make wider rows, getting over more sur- face but doing the work less thoroughly — only half as deep, and leaving a greater portion of the upper surface, exhausted by the previous crop, at or near the top. Or they merely push in the spade, and give it a twist to loosen, without lifting and invert- ing the soil. It is rather an injury than a benefit to break every clod fine, unless the crop is to be planted at once. It is much better to lie as loose as possible, that air may have better access to th© depths of the spaded earth. Spading, properly performed, turns the soil up- side down more completely than any other process, burying the weeds to decay instead of again sprout- ing to plague the gardener, In light lands, the earth is the richest at the bottom of the cultured soil ; the juices of the manure, having leached down the previous season, are brought by the spade again to the surface. The soil is more completely pul- verized, and the manure more thoroughly inter- mixed, than by another implement, and hence bet- ter prepared for garden crops. j. h, b. 286 THE GENESEE EARMEK. OKCHAEDS AND HOGS. Editors Genesee Farmer : — Your Niagara cor- respondent, "B.," notices my article in the July number of the Farmer^ and does not seem to agree with me abont hogs being preferable to sheep run- ning in orchards. All controversies become dry after one or two articles have been written on each side of a question, and indulge me in saying that I have certainly had my share of newspaper contro- versies, and consequently must be short in what I have got to oifer. 1. I have never known a hog to strip the bark from an apple or other tree. Hogs do trees good rather than injury by rubbing against them. Sheep often gnaw trees. 2. Hogs do help the growth of trees, and the fruit is better, in consequence of their industry in rooting among them, and destroying insects, bugs, ant's nests, and all that sort of thing. They are different from a plow ; that instrument tears and injures the roots of trees, while the hog does his work innocently, so far as the trees are concerned, and does them (the trees) great good rather than injury. As to encouraging weeds, &c., allow me to say that putting manure on ground will also en- courage the growth ot weeds; and we hoe corn, &c., to keep down the weeds : so, therefore, cut the weeds down in your orchard, if they are disagree- able. I have no objections to letting calves run in orchards; ours have "the run of the orchard." "Weeds, I believe, sometimes grow where sheep run. 3. It is not really taken for granted that orchards are to be wholly used for cow and sheep pastures; we want them for the fruit which we suppose they will produce. 4. Hogs will manure an orchard better than almost any other animal, though sheep are very good on wheat lands. I believe, and have the ex- ample of numerous — yes, a large majority of the farmers of tlie Union, to bear me out in the view which I take, that sheep should not be allowed to run in fruit gardens and orchards. My reasons for this position have already been given, and I have noticed for years that in those orchards where hogs have had a run, the apples were universally the best, the orchards the most productive, and the trees in the most \flourishing condition. Baldwinsville, JV. Y., Azir/iistjISbS. T. PKEVENTION OF THE EOSEE. Tnis has been a very important point in peach growing, in almost all sections of country, for many years past. We have an account of it as early as before the commencement of the present century, and yet it is making its ravages without a prevent- ive, even in the orchards of some of the better in- formed and more enterprising fruit-growers, whicli is very embarrassing to the cultivation of this deli- cious fruit. The peach-worm or borer, {yEijeria exitiosa) which naturalists have so repeatedly de- scribed, is of two sexes, remarkably different. '' This insect in its perfect state, is a slender, dark blue, four winged moth, somewhat like a wasp. It commences depositing its eggs in the soft and ten- der bark at the base of the trunk, generally from the middle of June to the first of October. The egg hatches and becomes a small white borer or grub, which soon grows to the length of three- fourths of an inch, penetrates and devours the bark and sapwood, and after passing the winter in the tree it spins itself in a cocoon, under or upon the bark of the tree, and emerges again into a perfect winged insect by the following June, ready to de- posit its eggs for another generation." For protection against this insect no remedy has yet been found infallible, though it can be protected to a limited extent in different ways, of which I will describe the one I have found the most benefi- cial. After plowing and preparing the soil in the early part or middle of May, clear away the earth from the base of the trunk, examine the bark and remove all insects ; prepare a whitewash of lime and water, adding plenty of lime, so as to make it almost a paste; apply it with a brush, so as to give tlie exposed base of the trunk a good coating. When this becomes perfectly dry, take a small quantity of clay soil, such as Avill pack well, and place it around the base of the trunk, to the height of three or four inches above the level of the soil first removed. This prevents the borer from de- positing its eggs in the crown of the roots, and even lower, which is diflicult to remove as well as more injurious to the tree. This packing of cltiy should be removed in the early part of November, and if any worms are in, they will be easily found by an exudation of glue ; remove them by means of a sharp knife, which is decidedly the best instru- ment. After this has been done, place good mellow soil around the base of the trunk, so as to leave no place for water to stand and freeze during winter. This being annually repeated, is one of the best preventives from the bores. Sergeantaville, N. J. G. II. LAEISON, M. D. TEANSPLANTING EVEEGEEENS. The great difliculty to be met and overcome in transplanting evergreens, is to counteract, if possi- ble, the difference between the soil and situation of the ]jlace where the trees are taken from and the place of their future home. Another great requi- site to success should not be lost sight of, viz., to carefully preserve the roots as much as possible from the light and heat of the sun. A damp, cloudy day should always be taken for the removal of evergreens. But perhaps an account of my own success in this branch of horticulture would best explain the best mode of transplanting evergreens. The present spring, being desirous of adoi'ning my front yard with a few handsome evergreens, and not wishing to pay the extravagant prices cliarged by our nurserymen for the same, I deter- mined to go to the backwoods not far distant and select some hemlocks. Accordingly, on the 15th of May, I went to the aforesaid woods, which was in fact a muck swamp, and there I found some of the finest hemlocks, of suitable size for transplant- ing, that I ever saw. I pulled them up easily with my hands, for the ground was very soft and wet. Having secured half a dozen of the finest ones I could find, I started for home. My assistant told me that it would be of no use to set out such trees, as tliere was no earth attached to the roots, and I was moving them from a soil naturally very wet to one of the opposite extreme. However, I resolved not to falter now. I dug very deep, wide holes in the yard where they were to be placed, mellowed the earth well on the bottom, and then as 1 placed THE GENESEE FARMER. 287 in the tree I wet the roots with some water, and put the earth carefully about them witli my hands, and afterwards packed it well down with my ft)ot. After having finished this operation, I put around each tree half a wheelbarrow of fresh horse manure, which was also well pressed down. I now took a sharp knife and trimmed the trees to the shape of as perfect pyramids as possible. The transplanting was now done, hut the greater part of my success was due to the after treatment, which was as follows : — Every other day, for a week, I carefully poured a pailful of water around each tree, and after the first week, as often as once in ten days, until the tirst of July. The consequence of this treatment Avas that they scarcely stopped growing, and now the new branches on them are from one to three inches in length, and they look as green as they did the day they were taken from the woods. I tliink that evergreens set and tended in this way will seldom if ever die. LyndonviUe, N. Y., Aur/., I85S. MTEON L. PAEKEE. FRUIT STEALING. Eew things more severely test a person's pa- tience, than after he has by great pains brought a valuable tree or vine to good bearing condition, to have the fi'uit stealthily taken from him just as it is becoming matured. Yet this is a common occur- rence in all parts of the country ; and, what is still worse, the trees are often seriously damaged by the rough usage they receive from the intruders. These depredations are generally committed Avith such caution as to preclude detection, and if one com- plains of his loss, or tries to prevent its recurrence, ten to one he will only aggravate the evil. Besides this, a good tree always receives a mar- vellous number of neighborly visits from persons in the vicinity. The "nearest way across," is almost sure to be directly by it, and of course each one who passes that way will '■'■ just pick tip an apple^'' or perhaps two or three, or indeed lill his pockets, or a basket. They know the owner will'-not care, " for he is always glad to give them as many as they can eat." Should a person manifest any dis- pleasure at such treatment, he is forth witli branded as stingy, small-souled, etc. So, between kind neighbors and stealthy rogues, the fruit-grower too often fares rather poorly, and it is not strange that the question is often asked, "How shall I protect my fruit?" In thinly settled places, where the difficulty is not very serious, it would no doubt be sufficient in many instances to plant trees and vines of the choicest kinds by the roadside, in sufficient number to produce a full supply of excellent fruit for the hungry passer. What the owner of the adjoining premises would get would repay him for setting out and taking care of them, and thieves would be hardly likely to be so strongly attached to the practice of stealing, as to go into an enclosure when there was an abundance by the roadside. It would moreover be a constant appeal to tlie nobler sentiments of the heart. The benevolence of the act would be appreciated even by the degraded, and it wottld be respected. In the vicinity of large towns, no doubt a good hedge would be the best protection. There have been many plans devised to detect and punish intruders, but so far as I know they are of little valne. After all, it is chiefly to an enlight- ened and elevated condition of the people, that we are to look for the security of all kinds of property ; hence every measure which tends to improve public morals — whether it be to abate nuisances, gather and reform wretched outcasts, furnish employment for willing hands, or any other means — will strong- ly tend to check the evil in question. l. h. COVERING HALF-HARDY PLANTS. For covering half-hardy plants, or sci'eening them from dry winds, various means are employed. In France, a basket is constructed of two semi- cylinders, constructed in the mode of straw hives. To these are fixed solid feet of wood to drive into the ground. If it is necessary to shel- ter one plant from east or north- east winds, one cylinder is suffi- cient; but if it is a plant which you are forced to protect, is deli- cate, and requires a more com[)lete protection, you inclose it between the two semi-cylinders, fixed one to the other by means of liooks rep- resented in the drawing. A lid of the same construction, furnished at its edge with a circle of woodwork, is fitted, when necessary, on the cylinder, and thus, perhaps, offers a more effectual shelter against the severity of cold winds and excess- ive heat than any other. These sorts of shades are light to move, very solid, and very warm ; for, letting but little of the exterior air penetrate, they preserve at niglit the heat which accumulates in the interior. They would also guard plants well from the sun, and thus offer a means of checking the natural perspiration of green parts. Probably nothing could be invented more suitable for the protection of young plants, like the Magnolia grandiflora, in this latitude, where the frozen sap is attacked by the sun, and the leaves in young specimens instantly killed. For protecting the stems of grafted roses from the summer sun, they may be made of basket willows. — Horticulturist. Common Plants. — A recent writer well ob- serves: "There is nothing too common, or beto- kening stinginess or poverty, in having the oldest or simplest plant well grown and bloomed in a pot; everybody loves to see them. Look at the hanging plants in the Crystal Palace, and say if you ever saw so many of the very commonest plants put together before. Not one of them but the poorest man in the next village might have in his window, and yet everybody admires them. It is only that fashion requires the rich to have more costly plants, but surely there is no reason why you and I should not have them, or that we should be so foolish as to hanker after guinea plants, which are not a bit the better for being dearer." A Profitable Apple Tree. — Mr. H. Stearns, of Fitchville, Vt., says he once paid 25 cents for a Bald win apple tree, and in six years after planting he sold from this tree $5.25 worth of fruit, and had some for his own use besides. 288 THE GENESEE FARMEK. UB OKIGINAL DOMESTIC KECEIPTS. [■Written for the Genesee Farmer by various Correspondents.] Blackberry Wi>rE. — Measure your berries and bruise them, to every gallon adding one quart of •water. Let the mixture stand twenty-four hours, stirring occasionally ; then strain oif the liquor into a cask, to every gallon adding two pounds of sugar ; oork tight and let it stand till the following Octo- bei', and you will have wine ready for use without any further straining or boiling. To MAKE A Boiled I^^)IAN Meal Pudding. — Take one quart of buttermilk, two eggs, one tea- spoonful of soda ; add meal enough to make a thick batter, tie it tightly in a bag, drop it in a kettle of boiling water, and let it boU one hour. Eat it with sauce to suit the taste. Fob a Baked Pudding. — Set to boiling one quart of sweet milk; then add two eggs well beaten, with three table-spoonsful of Indian meal and one of flour ; bake it three quarters of an hour. Serve "with cream and sugar. A NICE Disii OF Baked Beans. — Parboil half an hour, adding a little soda ; then pour off the water and rinse thern ; add your pork, already notched, cover them with water and let them boil an hour, adding a tea-spoonful of sugar to every quart of beans; then put them in a baking dish and let them brown nicely. To Clean Ribbons. — Take equal quantities of alcohol, soft soap, and honey, mix together, spread tlie ribbon on a table, and rub it on with a cloth or sponge; it requires considerable rubbing. Rinse it well in several portions of water, till it looks clear. If white ribbon, blue the water. Dry quick, and iron when nearly dry. Soda Cake. — One egg, one cup of brown sugar, or two cups of white sugar, one cup of sweet milk, (me tea-spoon of soda, two tea-spoons of cream tar- tar, one table-spoon of butter or some other short- ening, stirred rather stiffer than sponge. Flavor if you choose with lemon or rose. Soft Ginger Cake. — Three cups flour, one cup melted butter, two cups molasses, four eggs, one tea-spoon of ginger., one tea-spoon saleratus ; beat well. Another Ginger Cake. — Put one table-spoonful of butter in a tea-cup with two table-spoons of loppered milk, nearly fill the tea-cup with molasses, or quite fill it if you like it very sweet ; add one tea-spoon of saleratus, half a table-spoon of ginger, and two and a half tea-cups of flour. Twice this measure makes a nice cake. Jelly Cake. — Two cups of flour, one cup sugar, half a cup of butter, two eggs, two table-spoons of cream, one tea-spoon of saleratus. Bake in square tins; when done, spread jelly on the top of one cake, place another upon it, then jelly and cake al- ternately, till thick as you wish. Crumpets. — Take three tea-cups of raised dough, and work into it half a tea-cup of melted butter, three eggs, and milk to make a thick batter Bake in a hot buttered pan, for half an hour. Tarts. — One tea-spoon of tartaric acid, one tea- cup of water, one tea-cup of sugar, (white sugar is the best,) three table-spoons of flour; boil on the stove till well cooked. Add more flour if not thick enough ; flavor with lemon. Make a good crust for tarts, and bake ; when nearly done, if the crust pufis up, flatten it down with a clean cloth. When baked, put in the acid preparation. Can use two crusts if you choose for common pies. Telegraph Sponge. — Three eggs, one cup sugar, one flour, half a cup of butter, two table spoons of sweet milk, one tea-spoon of cream tartar, half a tea-spoon of soda, dissolve in the milk ; one tea- spoon of lemon ; stir only enough to mix. Fruit Cake. — One pound of butter, one and a half pounds of sugar, one and three-fourths pounds of flour, three pouiwis raisins stoned and chopped, two pounds washed and dried currants, a quarter of a pound of citron, one pint of milk, four eggs, two nutmegs, two tea-spoons of saleratus, brandy to your fancy. Beat well and bake moderately. To Remove Grease from Books. — Lay upon the spot a little magnesia or powdered chalk, and under it the same ; set on it a warm flat-iron, and as soon as the grease is melted it wUl be aU absorbed and leave the paper clean. Apple Jelly. — Take half a gallon of the green- est apples, pare and core them ; put them in a pan with water to cover them, boil one hour ; strain the juice, and to every pint add three-fourths of a pound of sugar, the juice of two lemons and the rind of one. Boil one hour. Boiled Flour Pudding. — One quart milk, nine eggs, nine spoonfuls of flour, and salt ; put in a strong cloth, and boil half an hour. Pint Cake. — One pint light dough, one cup sugar, one of. butter, three eggs, and one tea-spoon of saleratus. AMERICAN FARMEKS' DAUGHTERS. In his North America^ its Agriculture and Cli- mate, Robert Russell, a Scotch farmer of great intelligence, though a bachelor, is frequently con- strained to compliment American farmers' wi\'e8 and daughters, not only for their beauty and ac- complishments, but also for their intelligent and skillful performance of household duties. In com- pany with Prof. Holmes, he visited the farm of the President of the Michigan State Agricultural Soci- ety, at Prairie Round, and says : " The President was from home ; but his daugh- ter, a pretty and intelligent girl, acted as hostess. As all rise early in America, dinner is usually served up about noon. The Americans are com- monly good cooks, and great mechanical skill has been displayed in adapting the kitchen stoves for cooking. I do not think our fair hostess had any help to prepare our excellent dinner, with its great variety of dessert ; but things went on so smoothly that one could hardly believe that lotli the cooTa and the lady were combined in her ferson. After having had some good music and native airs from our entertainer, Mr. Holmes and I found our way in the dark to Kalamazoo, highly pleased with our visit to Prairie Rond." THE GEITESEE FARMER. 28^ Kew Advertisements this Month. Fruit and Ornamental Trees— EUwanger & Barry, Eochester, N. Y. Andre Leroy's Nurseries— F. A. Bmguire, Agent, New York. Commercial Nurseries — J. Donnellan & Co., Eochester, N. Y. Genesee Valley Nurseries— A. Frost & Co., Eochester, N. Y. Geneva Nurseries— W. T. & E. Smith, Geneva, N. Y. New Eochelle (or Lawton) Blackberries— C. P. Bissell & Salt- er. Eochester, N. Y. Wooden Water Pipe— I. S. Ilobbie & Co., Eochester, N. Y. Model Mercantile College— G. W. Eastman, Eochester, N. Y. Scovill's Eotary gab-Soil Attachment to Common Plows— Geo. F. Needham, Buffalo, N. Y. Dwarf Pear Trees— Eastman & Co., Waterville, N. Y. Agricultural Implements— A Longett, New York. Chinese Pigs— Horace Humphrey, Winchester Centre, Conn. Peruvian Guano and Superphosphate of Lime, A. Longett New York. Monroe Street Nursery— E. Boardman, Eochester, N. Y. Great Nation •? 1 Work— E. D. Barker, New York. Blood and Wool Manure— A. Longett, New York. Sugar Mills, Kettles and Furnace Fixtures— Hedges, Free & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. Make Your Own Sugar— A. 0. Moore, New York. Book Agents, Canvassers and Colporteurs Wanted — C. M Saxton, New York. Union Nursery— C. Moulson, Eochester, N. Y. Cherry Stones— Thos. Meehan, Germantown Nurseries, near Philadelphia, Pa. Ashland Clover Hulling and Cleaning Machines— Mansfield & Whiting, Ashland, Ohio. Field's Pear Culture— A. O. Moore, New York. OoR advertising columns this month are unusually at tractive. There are thirty-six advertisements, twenty-tliree of which are new! They are just what we like — iliort, and of a character most likely to be useful to our rural readers. We could easily fill the small space devoted to advertisements, by inserting patent medicine and other advertisements of a doubtful character ; but all such are strictly excluded. Our object is to make every depart- ment of the " farmers' own paper" interesting, useful, and reliable. We point to our advertising columns this month with pride ; we believe there is nothing in them to mis- lead, — most of the advertisers we know to be men of the strictest integrity. The secret of success in business is to provide good things and such as are wanted, and then to let the public hnow that you have such things for sale. This can be done in no way so well as by advertising in papers of good character and circulation. Few persons have any idea of the great display made by an advertisement in a widely circulated paper. A single column advertisement inserted in one number of the Genesee Farmer, if printed in a continuous line, would be over ninety-nine miles long. Is $20 too much for one hundred miles of advertising'? Some persons say our rates are too high, and that they can do better by sending off circulars. Let us see. We have been printing from 15,000 to 17,000 papers every month this year up to July, and then we printed eight^&i thousand, in order to supply additional subscribers for the current half volume. Now, to print fifteen thousand neat circulars would cost at least §50, and the postage on them would be §150 more. In other words, to circulate a column advertisement of the Genesee Farmer, for which we charge §20, would cost in the form of a circular t/ico hundred dollars! Then again, a circular is thrown on one side2and forgotten, while the Genesee Farmer is usually preserved and bound up, and can be, and is, referred to repeatedly. For this reason, a monthly paper ofi'ers ad- vantages to advertisers to be found in no others. We make these remarks from the fact that some of our friends have complained that our advertising rates are too high. If we could afford to reduce them we would do so, as we believe that the nurserymen, agricultural imple- ment makers and others who use our advertising columns, are doing much to advance the cause of agricultural and horticultural improvement; but we believe our charges, in proportion to circulation, are quite reasonable. One hundred words costs about twelve cents per thousand copies circulated. Is this an unreasonable charge? Who can do it cheaper, and circulate it where it will be so likely to be read and preserved for future reference ? " The Journal of the Home." — Such is the title of a monthly paper published by the Managers of the " Home for the Friendless," in this city. This institution is de- signed to afibrd a home for friendless females and chil- dren. It is under the management of kind, self-denying, Christian women. They are doing a good work. They started a paper a year ago, and it has proved very suo- cesstul. A new volume commences with the September number. It is only 50 cents a year. Now is the time to subscribe. Address Mrs. Dr. Mathews, Treasurer of the Assaciation. .-»< Our friends who have sent us one dollar for five copies of the present half volume of the Farmer, can have three more copies for fifty cents, and any additional number at 18| cents each. ,-%-t Inquiries and Answers. An Experiment with Salt, Ashes and Plaster.— (W. P.) We are glad you are going to try salt on your wheat, but your proposed experiment is too much like some made on one of our "Model and Experimental Farms." It will prove nothing. If you sow ashes on one part of the field, salt on another, and '^ plaster on the wliole,^' what will you learn ? Sow them separately on three difierent portions, and mixed on others, and leave a portion witJumt an yf hi nrji, land you will ascertain if they do any good, and also which does the most good, or whether they are better mixed together. It would be well to try half an acre with lime, say at the rate of fifty bushels per acre. If you could use one hundred pounds Peruvian guano on another half acre, it would add much to the interest of your ex- periment. The Ladies' Kepositort. — (R. M.) This monthly Mag- azine is published by Swormstedt & Pok, Cincinnati, Ohio. Price §2 per annum. All the Methodist ministers receive subscriptions for this magazine. There is no bet- ter or higher toned periodical in the country, nor one that we can more cheerfully recommend. ■ 290 THE GENESEE FARMER. The Action op Plasteu.— (M. S.) Why gypsum has a good eflfect on clover and not on wheat, we can not tell. The fad seems to be well established. We can not tell why superphosphate of lime has a good effect on turnips and not on wheat, but the fact is undeniable. Analyses of the plants afford no satisfactory explanation. You think the good effect of plaster is to be ascribed to its power of drawing ammonia from the atmosphere. This is Liebig's explanation ; but there are two objections to it : — First, it is very doubtful whether plaster will attract ammonia from the air ; and second, if it does, an applica- tion of plaster ought to have the same effect as a dressing of sulphate of ammonia, but it has just the reverse effect. Sulphate of ammonia has a much greater effect on wheat than on clover, while plaster benefits clover and has little if any effect on wheat, in the majority of cases. Potato Oat. — (R. G.) This variety is said to have been discovered in a field of potatoes, in Cumberland, in 1788. For many years after its first introduction it was consid- ered superior to all other varieties, both for the quality and quantity of grain produced. Of late years, however, its cultivation has greatly diminished on clays and secon- dary soils, in consequence of its increasing liability to become tulip-rooted and sedge-leafed. It is still cultiva- ted to a considerable extent in Scotland and the North of England, on rich, well sheltered, easy soils, composed of black earth and brown loam. It has been repeatedly in- troduced into this country, but we believe it is not gene- rally considered superior to the common kinds. Cutting Scions — Grafting Wax. — I would like to have you or some of your correspondents answer a few questions. When is the best time to cut apple grafts, in the winter or at the time of setting? The best recipe for making the wax to set with, and the best- directions about setting, to have success ? D. Scions may be cut any time before the buds swell in spring, and laid in the cellar for use. A good composition for out-door grafting may be made of 1 lb. tallow, 2 lbs. beeswaz, and 7 lbs. rosin. The best time for setting grafts is after the danger of severe frosts is past in the spring, and before the buds have pushed much. Colored Plates of Frtit. — (R. T.) The beautiful colored plates given in the Horticulturist, when published in this city, were colored by Joseph Prestele, of Ebene- zer, near Buffalo, N. Y. He may be able to furnish you a few at this time, but he has generally more orders than he can fulfil. D. M. Dewet, of this city, exhibited some colored plates at the meeting of the Western New York Fruit Growers' Society, which were well done. He sells tliem at 25 cents each. Guano for Wheat.— (T. B.) The genuine Peruvian is the only guano we would recommend you to try. Sow two hundred pounds per acre, and harrow it in before the wheat is sown. It should be broken up fine and sifted, to remove all the lumps. It is entirely unnecessary to mix plaster, salt, or anything with it. R. R. Horse Powers. — (M. S., Seneca, C. W.) We can confidently recommend the Railroad Horse Powers manu- factured by G. Westinghouse & Co., Schenectady, N. Y., or those of Wheeler, Melick & Co., Albany, N. Y. You will get full partioulars by addressing either of these well known firms. Duty on Grain Imported into Great Britain. — (R. S. T.) From the British Provinces, there is no duty on grain imported into Great Britain. From the United States and other foreign countries, there is an import duty of three cents per bushel on wheat and other grain, and nine cents per cwt. on flour, meal, etc. In Cuba there is an import duty on wheat of ^5 per quintal (110 lbs.) When carried by Spanish vessels 22 per cent. less. Wooden Water Pipe. — (M. B., Mich.) The wooden water pipe is not designed for draining purposes, but for conveying the water from a spring to the house, barn- yards, etc. We believe it gives good satisfaction. I. S. HoBBiE & Co., of this city, manufacture it, and you will obtain full particulars by addressing them. It is also manufactured by Gould & Allen, Quincy, Illinois. Tents for Fairs. — (R. T.) You can get all kinds of tents from Jas. Field, of this city. Mr. F. has had much experience in his business, and you will find him every way reliable. See his advertisement in another column. Summer Pruning Grapes — To kill Dandelions. — What will kill dandelions'? My grass plat is just filled with them, even after I cut out about two thousand roots and filled every hole with salt. Whv did you not give the opinion of the Fruit-Growers' Society of Western N. York on summer pruning of grapes? 1 am cultivating some young vines, and would have liked a hint or two, as they seem to be the only sure crop of fruit in this part of the country. Mrs. James Cummings. — Hamilton, C. W. Messrs. Editors: — Your Hamilton friend had better allow her young vines to grow to their full length now, for it is too late to begin summer pruning projierly. Let them be spread out so as to receive plenty of sun and air to ripen the wood, and keep them secured to the trellis, that they may not be injured by the wind ; and about the middle or last week in September, when the wood begins to turn brown, which is a sign of maturity, cut out all the small laterals growing on the main cone, close to the axil of the large leaf, but without injury to that leaf. This will leave some splendid wood for winter pruning and bearing next summer. I should be afraid of using so much salt on a lawn near the house, to kill dandelions, as it may show its effects in the grass next year, — the dandelion being able to bear more salt than the grass. The most effectual way is to thrust a strong knife or chisel (a long narrow instrument is best, as it will not cut the roots of the gi'.ass so much as a broad one) iuto the ground, so as to reach the bottom of the root; loosen it and draw it out entire, and you need not put h.nything in the hole. If a few pertinacious old fellows, which cannot be got out whole, persist in show- ing themselves, a drop or two of sulphuric acid, or blue vitriol, dropped into their crowns, will effectually settle them. Now persist in the regular mowings and rakings. My rule is to inovk' every alternate week, whether it appa- rently wants it or not, and rake everi/ week ; and roll, with an iron roller, one day before I mow. This will roll down small stones, worm dirts, etc,, and leave a smooth surface for the scythe. A proper lawn rake will rake out all the dead grass, pull ofi' white clover heads, dandelion leaves and flowers, and prevent their seeding before it is time to mow, which they would do between the times of mowing. These regular rakings and mowings will efi'ectually purge the lawn of everything but the grass. Josiah Salter. — East Avenue Nurseries, Bocheter, iK Y. Grafting old Grape Vines. — I wish you or some of your readers would tell me at what time and in what way to work grape vines, — whether to bud or slope-graft in last year's growth, or graft in stub as apple trees. I have a thrifty vine of the frost kind, which lias been cut down a number of times but wont die. I wish to turn its ob- stinacy into usefulness. D. Hickok. — Amhoy, Ohio. Lay by your scions in the winter, and when the vine is about to start in the spring, cut the stock close down to the ground and cleft-graft, putting in one or two grftfls, ccording to the size ot the stock. THE GENESEE FAEMER. 291 Editors GrENESEE Farmer : — How near and how deep should the soil be dug to dwarf pear trees '? If it is dug too close and deep, \vith a broad aud sharp implement, the roots will be injured. I have planted one hundred, aud wish to know how close and deep to work the soil. — A. Harrold. — Suf/ar Grove, III. By using a digging fork, such as can be obtained of agricultural implement dealers, you will be able to dig quite close to j^our trees without injuring them. This tool is the only one that should be used for such a pur- pose. We have no fear that the trees will not thrive under your management. The question asked by most persons — at least mentally — is, how far can I icork aivaij from my trees? The trees usually respond. Notices of Books, Pamphlets, &c. A CYCLOPEDIA of COMMERCE and COMMERCIAL NAV- IGATION. Edited by J. Smitu Homans, Corres. Sec'y of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, and editor of " The Banker's Magazine and Statistical Register," and by J. Smith IIomaks, Jr., B. S., author of an '' Historical and Sta- tistical Sketch of the Foreign Commerce of the United States." With Maps and Engravings. New York. Hakpee & Beo. 185S. We alluded to this magnificent work, of 2000 pages, in the last number. Since then we have given it a more careful examination. It is an honor to tha celebrated publishing house from which it emanates, as well as a monument to the industry of its editors. It is modeled after McCulloch's Dictionary of Commerce, which has been the standard work on this subject since its publica- tion twenty-five years ago. Since then, however, great changes have taken place in the commerce of the woi'ld, and in no country more than in the United States. Thir- ty years ago, we had but three miles of Railroads, — now twenty-five thousand ! Then no telegraph, — now thirty-five thousand miles, as well as a sub- Atlantic cable, in opei'ation ! Then we imported about five million dol- lars worth of iron and iron manufactures, — now about twenty-five millions. Then we exported about two hun- dred and eighty millions of pounds of cotton, — now one thousand millions. Then Cincinnati slaughtered 85,000 hogs, — now 344,512. These facts are not only interesting in themselves, but show the necessity of a work contain- ing the most recent information. The world moves, and if our knowledge is derived from Cyclopedias a quarter of a century old, we shall assuredly be behind the age. The work is more particularly valuable for the merchant, but farmers and all intelligent persons will find in it much to interest and instruct. D. M. Dewet, of the Arcade Book- store, is the Agent for Rochester and vicinity. THE NEW AMERICAN CYCLOPEDIA : A Popular Diction- ary of General Knowledge. Edited by George Ripley and Charles A. Dana. New York. D. Appleton &, Co. 1858. The third volume of this excellent work is issued. It is fully equal to the previous volumes. It is a work that was much needed. It is nearly thirty years since a com- plete Cyclopedia was published in this country : since that time we have doubled both our population and our area — peopled the Gold Regions — discovered a new Continent — gone through a war — buried our third gen- ei*ation of great Statesmen, in Clay, Calhoun, Webster and Benton — built towns like Chicago, all our Railways, our Ocean Steamers, our Iron Houses — invented the Photograph, the Electric Telegraph, and the Lightning Press — introduced cheap Postage, steel Pens, gummed Envelopes, Lucifer Matches, Ice, Omnibuses, Chloroform, etc., etc. These matters are all dealt with in this work. Fuller in every department and for every period than its predecessor, it has a net addition to it of the events of this period. D. M. Dewey is agent for this city and vicinity. THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OP MAJ. ROGER SHER- MAN POTTER. With Engravings by Hubek. New York. Stanfop.d & Delisser. 1858. Price $1.25. An amusing story of a tin pedler, who, from being a Major of the "Barnstable Invincibles," claimed to be a military man, and in this character was accorded a "Public Reception" in New York — be-praised by the press, and got a " foreign mission" from the Administra- tion at Washington, and then accepted the Governorship of a fiUibustering expedition against the country to which he was the accredited minister. National, State, and County Fairs for 1858. U. S. Ag. Society, Richmond, Va., October 25—30. National Horse Show, — Springfield, Mass.,.. September 14 — 17. STATE. Alabama, Montgomery, October 18 — 22. Connecticut, Hartford, October 12 — 15. Illinois, Centralia, September 14 — 18, Indiana, Indianapolis, October 4—9. Iowa, Oscaloosa, Sept. 28 — Oct. 1. Kentucky, Louisville, Sept. 27 — Oct. 1. Maine, Augusta, September 21—24. Maryland, Baltimore, October 19—2:3. Michigan, Detroit, Sept. 28- Oct. 1. Mississippi, Jackson, November 9 — 12.' Missouri, St. Louis September 6 — 10. New Jersey, Trenton, September 14—17. New Hampshire, Dover, October 6—8. New York ; SjTacuso, October 5-8. North Carolina, Raleigh, November 2—6. Ohio, Sandusky, September 14—17. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Sept. 28 — Oct. 1. Rhode Island, Providence, September 14—18. South Carolina, Columbia, November 9 — 12. Tennessee, October. Virginia, Pelersburgh, November 2 — 5. Vemiont, Burlington, September 14—17. Wisconsin, Madison, October 4 — 7. provincial. Canada East, Montreal, Sept. 29— Oct. 1. Canada West, Toronto Sept. 23— Oct. 1. NEW YORK. COUNTY SOCIETIES. Albany, Albany, September 21— 24. Broome, Lisle, September 28—30. C'henango. N orwich, September 23 — 25. Delaware. Franklin, September 22, 23. Genesee, Batavia, September 16—18. Greene, Cairo, Septem.ber 29, SO. Livingston, Geneseo, September 22 - 24. Madison, Morrisville, September 8-10. Monroe, Rochester, September 14 — Iv. Montgomery, Fonda, October 26. OneicTa, Rome, .' September 28—30. Onondaga. Syracuse, September 22, 23. Ontario," Canandaigua, September 29— Oct. 1. Orange, Montgomery, September 29, 30. . Orleans, Albion, September 29, 30. Oswego, Fulton, September 22—24. Queens, Flushing, September 22. Renssalaer, Saratoga, Mcchanicsville, September 7 — 9. Schuyler. Watkins, , September 28, 29. Seneca, Farmersville, October 13-15. St. Lawrence, Canton, September 15—17. Washington, Salem, September 23, 24. Wayne,' Lyons, September 22, 23. Wymoing, Warsaw, September 28—30. Yates, Penn Yan, September 23, 24. TOWN SOCIETIES. Brookfield, Clarlcsville, September 27, 28. Dryden, Dryden, September SO, Oct. 1. Lodi, Lodi, September 1.5—17, Nunda Union, Nunda, Livingston Co.,. . .September 8. 9. Skaneateles, Skaneateles, September 29. Susquehanna Valley, Unadilla, September 29, 30. Tonawanda Valley, Attica, September 22-23. Union. Adams, Jeff. Co., September 15, 16. Yates, Yates Centre, Orleans Co., September 21, 25. £92 THE GENESEE FAEMER. MAINE. Androscoggin, Lcwiston, Octobers — 7. East Somerset, Ilartland, October 6, 7. Kennebec KcadUeld October 12—14. Lincoln, Jefferson, October 12 — 14. North Aroostook, Presque Isle, October 6, 7. North Peaobseot, Lee, October 13, 14. North Somerset, Solon, October 13, 14. Oxford, South Paris, October 5—7. Somerset, Skowhogan, September 28 — 30. South Kennebec, Gardiner, October 12 — 14. "West Somerset, Anson, October 6, 7. York, Saco, October 12. 18. NEW HAMPSHIRE, Belknap, September 29—30. Sullivan, Charlestown, September 15, 16. MASSACHUSETTS. Barnstable, Barnstable, October 6, 7. Berkshire, Pittsfield, October 6 — S. Bristol, Taunton, September 22, 23. Essex, Danvers September 29, 30. Franklin. Greenfield, October 6, 7. Hampden, Springfield September 28 — 30. Hampden East, Palmer Depot, ©ctober 5, 6. Hampshire, Amherst, October 12, 13. Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden, at Northampton, Oct. 13, 14. Housatonic, Great Barrington, September 22 — 24. Middlesex, Concord, September 29. Middlesex North, Lowell, September 15 — 17. Middlesex South, Farmingham, Septcm-ber 21, 22. Nantucket, Nantucket October 18, 14. Norfolk, Dedham September 28—29. Plymouth. Bridgewater, September 29; 30. Worcester, Worcester, October 6, 7. Worcester North, Fitchburg, September 24. Worcester South, Stonebridge, September 29. Worcester West, Barre, September 80. CONNECTICUT. Fairfield, Danbury, September 21—24. Greenwoods, Winsted, ■ — - Litchfield, Litchfield, September 22 — 23. Middlesex, Middletown, October 6 — 8. New London, Norwick, September 22 — 24. Tolland, near Eock ville, October 6—7. Windham, Brooklyn, September 29— Oct 1. PENNSYLVANIA. Berks, Reading, September 29— Oct. 2, Bucks, Newton, September 29. Chester, Westchester, October 1, 2, Crawford, Conneautville, October 5 — 7. Lehigh, Allentown, September 28— Oct 1. Mercer, Mercer, September 22, 23. Tioga, Wellsboro', September 29, 30. York, York , October 6—9. OHIO. Ashtabula, JeffersoH, September 7 — 9. Adams, West Union, September 28 — 30. Athens, Athens, October 14, 15. Brown, Georgetown, September 7 — 9. Butler, Hamilton, October 5—8. Belmont, St. Clairsville September 28— Oct. 1. Clermont, Bantam, September 14 — 17. Clermont, Olive Branch, September 21 — 24. Columbia, New Lisbon, September 20 — 22. Champaign, Urbana, September 28— Oct. 1. Crawford, Bucyrus, September 29— Oct. 1. Clark, Springfield, October 6—8. Coshocton. Coshocton, October 6 — S. Carroll, Carrollton, October 14 — 16. Cuyahoga, Cleveland, October 5 — 7. Darke, "Greenville, September 22—24. Delaware, Delaware September 29 — Oct. 1. Defiance, Defiance, October 0— S. Erie, Huron, October 6—8. Fayette, Washington, September 7—9. Franklin Columbus, September 8—10. Fulton, Otakee, October 6, 7. Greene, Xenia, September 28— SO. Geauga, (Fi ee) Claridon, September 2S— 30. Geauga, Burton, September 22—24. Guernsey, Cambridge, September 23, 24. Hardm, Kenton, September 29, 30. Hamilton, Carthage, September 7—10. Harrison, Cadiz, October 6—8. Highland, Hlllsboro, September 29— Oct 1. Hancock, Findlay , October 7—9. Hockmg, Logan, September 29, 30. H,.!me3, Millersburg, October 12—14. Knox, Mount Vernon, September 28 SO. Lawrence, Ironton, September 2^ 24. Licking. Newark, October 6, 7. " i.oram, Elyria, October 5—7. Logan, Eellefoulaine, October 5—8. Lake, Painesville, September 22—24, Mahoning, Canfleld, October 5 — 7. Montgomery, Dayton, September 29— Oct 1. Morgan, McConnelsville, October 6— S. Morrow, Mt. Gilead, October 13—15. Madison, London, September 22—24. Miami, Troy September 29— Oct 1. Noble, Sarahsville, September 23, 24. Portage, Eavenna, September 20—22. Putnam, Kalida, October 7, 8. Eichland, Mansfield, September 29— Oct 1. Eoss, Chillicothe, September 29— Oct 1, Sandusky, Fremont, October 6 — 8. Seneca, 'Tiffin, October 6—8. Stark, Massillon, October 6^-7. Summit, (Union) Twinsburg, September 8 — 10. Summit, Akron, October 6 — 8. Tuscarawas, North Philadelphia, September 29 — Oct. 1. Union, Marysville, October 6 — 8. Van Wert, Van Wert, Octobers, 6. Williams, Bryan, October 6 — 8. Washington, Marietta,.... October 6 — 3. Wood, Bowling Green, October 6 — 8. Warren, Lebanon, September 28— SO. Wayne, Wooster, September 29 — Oct 1, MICHIGAN. Barry, Hastings, October IS, 14. Berrien, Niles, October 6, 7. Branch, Cold water, October 6 — 8. Calhoun Marshall, October 5—7. Clinfon, St Johns, October 13, 14. Eaton, Charlotte, September 28-30. Genesee, Flint, October 6, 7. Jackson, Jackson, October 6 — 8. Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, September 22—24. Kent, Grand Eapids, October 5—7, Lenawee, Adrian, October 6, 7 Northern Lenawee, Tecumseh, September 16. Oakland, Pontiac October 6—8. Ottawa, EastmanviUe, September 22, 23. St Joseph, Ceuterville, September 29, SO. INDIANA. Blackford, Hartford City, October 14—16. Boone, Lebanon, September 16, 17, Clark, Charlestown, September 22 — 24. Delaw are, Muncie, September 29 — Oct 1. Fayette, ConncrsvUle September 7—10. Fountain and Warren, Attica, September 29 — Oct 1. Fulton, Eochester, October 15, 16. Hendrick's, Danville, September 14 — 17. Henry, Newcastle, September 22 — 24. Howard, Kokomo, October 21, 22. .Jefferson, Madison, September 22, 23. -Jennings, Vernon September 15 — 17. Kosciusko, Warsaw, October 13 — 15. La Porte, La Porte, September 28— Oct 1. Marion, Indianapolis, September 22 — 24. Montgomery, Crawfordsville, September 15 — 17. Morgan, Centcrtown, September 8 — 11. Ohio and Switzerland, Enterprize, September 28 — 30. Owen, Spencer, September 22—24. Rush, Rush ville, September 14—17. Scott, Lexington September 2S — 30. Shelby, Shelbyville, September 7-10. Southwestern, Vincennes, October 19 — 22. Spencer, Eockport, September 22 — 24. Sullivan, Carlisle, September 30, Oct 1. Wabash, Wabash, September 28-30. Washington, Salem, September 20-23. Wayne Richmond, September 28— Oct 1. ILLINOIS. Adams, Quincy, September 29— Oct 1. Carroll. Mt. Carroll, September 29— Oct 1. Champaiffu, Urbana, September 21. Edgar, (Wabash Valley) Paris, September 28— Oct 1. Henry, Cambridge, September 8, 9. Kane, Geneva, September 23, 24. Kankakee, Kankakee, October 6 — 8. Lake, Liberty ville, October 5, 6. La Salle, Ottawa, September 28—30. Lee, Araboy, September 15 — 17. Livingston, Pontiac, October 6, 7. Macon, Dacatur, September 7 — 10. Mason, Havana, Sejitember 29 — Oct 1. fiercer, Millersburg September 28 — 30. Morgan, Jacksonville, September 28 — Oct 1. Montgomery, HiUsboro, September 28 — Oct. 1. Peoris, Peoris, September 21—24. Pike, Pittsfield September 8—10. Rock Island, Eock Island, September 8, 9. Scott, Winchester, September 22—24 Stephenson, Freeport, : October 6 — 8. Tazewell, Eremont Sept. — TTnion, Jonesboro, September 10, 11. Warsaw, Warsaw, September 29— Oct 1. WUl, Joilet, September 28—30. , Wianebago, Kockford, September 21— S4. THE GEKESEE FARirER. 293 KENTUCKY. Christian, Ilopkinaville October 20—25. Daviess, Owensboro, October 12—15. Nelson, Barclstown, September 21 — 24. Henderson, Hopkins, and Union, near Henderson, Oct. 5—8. Bourbon, Paris, September 7—10. Harrison, Cynthiana, September 21 — 24. TENNESSEE. Bedford, Shelby ville, October 5— S. Carroll, Huntingdon, October 14—16. Be Kalb, Alexandria, September 21— 24 Dyer, Dyersburg, October 8—12. Eastern Division, Fayette, Somerville, October 5—9. Gibson, Trenton, Giles, Pulaski, '. . September 21—24. Macon, Lafayette, October 25—31. Marshall, Lewisbm-g, September 21—24. Middle Division, Columbia, September 27— Oct. 2. Smith, liome, September 29— Oct. 2. Sumner, Gallatin, Western Division, Jackson, October 19—23 Wilson, Lebanon, October 5—9. Williamson, Franklin, October 5-8. MISSOUEL Boone, Columbia, September 30— Oct. 2 Central District, Booneville, October 4—10. Howard, Fayette, September 14—18. Lafayette, Lexington, September 14— 18. N. E. District, Paris September 13—18. N. W. District, St. Joseph, September 21— ''5. Pettis, Georgetown, September 14—17. Saline, Miami, September 21—24. Bt. Louis Mech,, and Ag., St. Louis, September 0—12. WISCONSIN. Crawford, Seneca, October 12, 13. Lafayette, Darlington, Seijtember 21. 22 N. W. Union, River Falls September 22^ 32. Portage, Portage, October 15, 16. Eichland, Kichland Centre, October 6,7. Walworth, Elkhorn, September 29— Oct. 1. IOWA. Boone, Boonesboro': September 22 '>S Decatur, Lacon, September 29,' 3o! Henry, Mt. Pleasant, October 5, 6. Jefier.-.on, Fairfield, September 22, 28 Johns. .n , Iowa City, September 15, 16. Lee, West Point, , September 15—1 7. Louisa, Wapello October 6. Marion, Knoxville October 21, 22. Pottawattomie, Council, Bluflfe, October 14, 15. Polk, Des Moines, September 14—16. bioux. Sioux City, October 4. Van Buren, lieosauqua, October 13, 14 Wapello, Ottumwa, October 22—24. VIEGINIA. Brooke, Wellsburg, September 22—24. N. W. Division, Wheeling Island, September 14—17. NEW JEESEY. Buriington, Mt. Holly, October 5, 6. NEBRASKA. Cass, Eock Bluffs, October 1, 2. Nemaha, Brownville, October 13—16. ADVERTISEMENTS, To secure insertion in the Faemer, must be received as eariy as the 10th of the previous month, and be of such a character as to be of interest to farmers. Terms- Two DoUars for every hun- dred words, each insertion, paid in advance. AGRICTJLTUEAL IMPLEMENTS-For sale at manufac- turers' prices, to close consignments. Sep.— It A. LONGETT, 34 Cliff street, New York. PERTJVIAN GUANO— Government brand and weight. SUPEEPHOSPHATE OF LIME. For sale by Sep.— It A. LONGETT, 34 Cliff street. New York. CHINESE PIGS— Also a few Breeding Sows and Boars, war- ranted of pure blood, for sale by HOEACE IIUMPHEEY, September, 1S5S.— It* Winchester Center, Conn. MONEOE STREET NTJRSEEY, KOCHESTER, N. Y. TIIK Subscriber has for sale, Apple, Pear. Cherrv, Peach and Plum Trees; also, Eurai)ean Mountain Ash", Balsam Fir, and Norway Spruce Trees. Also, a good variety of Strawberry PlaiiU and Currants. All to be sold at the lowest market prices, either wholesale or retail. E. BOAEDMAN ^^ September, 1858.— 2t. GREAT NATIONAL "WORK.— Frank Forester's Horse and Horsemanship of America. Agents wanted for this and other valuable books, at good profits. Address Sep.— 11* E. D. JBAEKEE, 348 Broadway, New York. STRAWBERRY PLANTS.— All of the most approved varie- ties for sale at the Eochester Central Nurseries. Catalogues sent free on application to C. W. SEELYE, August, 1858- 2t Eochester, N. Y. BLOOD AND WOOL MANURE— This article has proved superior to Peruvian Guano, in various trials this spring. Price $30 per ton of 2000 lbs. For sale by Sep.— It A. LONGETT, 34 Cliff street, New York. A. LONGETT, No. 34 CLIFF STREET, NEW YORK, DEALEE in Peruvian and Elide Island Guanos, Superphos- phate of Lime, Blood and Wool Manm'e, and Bone Dust. November 1, 1857. — ly. LEHIGH MOUNTAIN SPRINGS WATER CURE. ALL diseases are cureable with Water, Air, and Diet, at this celebrated Institution. Beautiful scenery, pleasant driv'es, walks, and rowing connected with the Cure. Address September, 1858.- It* A. SMITH, M. D., Bethlehem, Pa. SUGAR MILLS, KETTLES AND FURNACE FIXTURES. WE are now prepared to furnish Sugar Mills. Boilers, Clarifl- ers, Skimmers, Saccharometers, Furnace Fixtures, and in- deed anything pertaining to Sugar and Syrup making, promptly. Our Illustrated Catalogue with directions for Syrup and Sugar making, furnished gratis, or mailed on receipt of postage stamp. HEDGES, FEEE & CO. September, 1S5S.— It. Cincinnati, Ohio. MAKE YOUR OWN SUGAR. FULL instructions for making SUGAE AND MOLASSES from the New Sugar Canes, and a description of the imple- ments and utensils required ; simple and j^li^iin for the iise of Farmers, to which are added the latest experience of those who have made Sugar, and I. S. Lovering's pamphlet, all contained in Olcotfs new work, "SOEGIIO & IMPHEE." PRICE $1. Sent by mail, free of postage, on receipt of price. A. O. MOOEiE, Agricultural Book Publisher, September, 1S5S.— It. 140 Fulton St., New York. J^ . F I^ O S O? Sc OO., GENESEE VALLEY NTJRSERIES, ROCHESTER, N. 1., HAVE published their Wholesale Catalogue, No. 4, of Fruit, Ornamental Trees, Plants, Ac, containing prices for the Autumn of 1858. All those parties who wish to purchase largely, will consult their interest by examining this Catalogue. It is sent/ree to all applicants, by enclosing a stamp. September, 1858.- 2t $500 TO $2,000 A YEAR! A CHANCE TO MAKE MONEY AND DO GOOD ! More than a Hundred kinds of Popular Books for the People. BOOK AGENTS, COLPOETEUES AND CANVASSEES, can be sure of pleasant and profitable business by engaging in the sale of our publications. They are all good books, well printed, well bound, and very popular. Scarcely a family in the country but would be glad to buy one or more of them, wheu brought to their door. From $5 to sfilO per day can be cleared, where perseverance, industry and skill are exercised. Those desiring Agencies, will for particulars, address C. M. SAXTON, September, 1S5S.— n. 25 Park Eow, New- York. UNION NURSERY, ROCHESTER, N. Y, THE Proprietor of this Nursery, has a largely increased Stock of Fruit and Ornamental Trees for sale this Autumn, and in addition to a general variety, would iiivite the attention ot purchasers especially to the following : 50,000 Standard Apple Trees, 4 and 5 years old. 8,000 Dwarf do on Paradise, 3 and 4 vears old. 5,000 Standard Pears, 2 and 3 years old. 10,000 Dwarf do 2 to 6 years old. 6,000 Standard Cherries, 2 and 8 years old. 3,000 Dwarf do on Mahaleb. 2 and S years old. 3.000 Plums, 2 to 4 years old. 5,000 Peaches. 3,000 Orange Quinces. 4,000 Queen ot the Prairie Roses, Layers, 2 and 3 years. 2,000 Giant Ehubarb. Also, Apple, Plum and CherrT Stocks. CUAS. MOULSON. ' Eochester, September 1, 1858.— It, 294 THE GENESEE FARMER. FRUIT. AND ORNAMENTAL TREES. ELLWANGER & BAliKT, solicit the attention of Planters, Nurserymen and dealers in Trees, to their present Stock, •which lias never been equalled in extent, nor surpassed in vigor, heallh and beauty of growth. It embraces STANDARD AND DWARF FEUIT TREES, of all kinds, and of various ages. GKAl'ES— All the best, new and old hardy sorts for the Garden and Vineyard, and all the best Foreign sorts for Yineries. SMALL. FRUITS— Including all t'lie finest Strawberries Rasp- berries, Gooseberries, Currants, Blackberries, &c. (The Stock of American needling Gooseberry, and of New lUichelle or Law- ton Blackberry is llie largest in existance.) RHUBARB— Linna;us, and all the best sorts. THE ORNAMENTAL DEPARTMENT Embraces the finest collections of DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. WEEPING, OR DROOPING TREES. EVEKGKKKN TliRES. FLOWERING SHRUBS AND PLANTS. CLIMBING SHRUBS. KOSES, PJ30NIE-:, DAHLIAS, &c. BULBOUS FLOWERS— Such as Hyacinths, Tulips, &c. STOCK FOR NURSERYMEN, Including, PEAR SEEDLINGS, 1 & 2 years. MAZZARD AND MAHALEB CHERRY SEEDLINGS. ANGKKS AND FONTENAY QUINCE. MANETTI RO-E STOCK. COMEWKLL WILLOW— A Stock for the Weeping Sorts. All who are interested are respectfully invited to examine the stock and prices. The following Catalogues arc sent gratis, pre- paid, to all who apply and inclose one stamp for each. No. 1 — Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits. " 2 — Descriptive Catalogue of Ornamental Trees, &c. " 8 — Descriptive Catalogue of Green-house and Bedding-out Plants, " 4 — Wholesale or Trade List. ELLWANGER & BARRY, September, 1S5S. — It. Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N. Y. ANDRE LEROY'S NURSERIES, AT ANGERS, FHANCE. TH E Proprietor of these Nurseries — the most extensive in Europe, has the honor to inform his numerous friends and the public, that his Catalogue of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Seedlings, Fruit Stocks, ifcc, for the present season, is now ready, and at their disposition. The experience which he has acquired in the last ten years hy numerous and important invoices to the U. S., and the special cultures which he has established for that market upon an area of over 300 acres, are for his customers a sure guarantee of the proper and faithful execution of their orders. Apply as heretofore, to F. A. BRUGUIERE, 18S Pearl Street, New York, his sole agent in the U. S. Note. — All advertisements or circulars, bearing the name of Leroy, Angees, must not be considered as emanating from our House, if they do not at the same time, mention that F. A. Beuguiep.e, is our agent. Address, F. A. BRUGUIERE, New York, September, 1S5S.— 4t. ANDRE LEROY, Angers, France. ROCHESTER AND LAKE AVENUE COMMERCIAL NURSERIES, ROCHESTER, N. Y. THE Proprietors of this old establshment, offer for sale this Fall, the following varieties of Fruit Trees, &c., which will be found thrifty and well grown STANDARD AND DWARF APPLE, PEAR, PLUM, PEACH, CHERRY, APRICOT, NECTARINES, QUINCE. Also, have constantly on hand, a general assortment of ORNA- MENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, EVERGREENS AND ROSES, HERBACEOUS PLANTS, GREEN HOUSE AND BED- DING-OUT PLANTS, &c., &c., &c. The above will be disposed of low, at wholesale and retail. Orders with cash or good reference, will be attended to promptly. Catalogues sent gratis on receipt of one cent stamp. l^W° Stocks for Nurservmen. September. 1858. J. DONNELLAN & CO. NEW ROCHELLE (OR LAWTON) BLACKBERRIES, CHEAPER THAN EVER, BECAUSE we had such perfect success last fall, in sending New Rochelle (or Lawton) Blackberry Plants by mail, we shall again send suitable sizes, carefully packed and jpostof/ejpaid, at .$1 50 per dozen. Suitable sizes, Brinckles Orange Raspberry Plants, also, $1 50 ' per dozen. Warranted to do well if jirinted directions are followed. C. P. BISSELL & SALTER, September, 1858.-11. East Avenue Nurseries, Rochester, N. Y. AGENTS "Wifl^TED.^^'or particulaTs, send'stamiT GENESEE VALLEY NURSERIES. FRUIT TREES, ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS, ROSES, &0,, &C. THE proprietors of these well known and extensive Nurseries have on hand a large and well-grown stock of FRUIT TREES, ORNAMENTAL TREES. SHRUBS. ROSES, GREEN-HOUSE and BEDDING PLANTS, DALHIAS, PHLOXES and other HARDY BORDER PLANTS. The assortment of ROSES is very extensive, and embraces all varieties wh ch could be obtnined and which are considered worthy of cultivation. Our collection of HY'BRID PERPET- UALS is the most complete in the country. The GREEN-HOUSE DEPARTMENT receives particular attention, and the slock of Fuchsais, Geraniums, and other Green- llouse Plants, is large and varied. In the FRUIT DEPARTMENT, our stock consists of APPLES, of the leading varieties. Dwarf and Standard. PEARS, of all desirable varieties, on Quince and Pear stock. PLUMS — A choice selection of well-grown trees of popular sorts. CHERRIES— All ths popular sorts, Dwarf and Standard. PKAC'HES — A choice assortment. NECTARINES, APRICOTS and QUINCES, in variety. GRAPES— A complete assortment of boih native and foreign sorts, including many of recent introduction. SMALL FRUITS. CURRANTS— Twenty-five choice sorts, including many new varieties. RASPBERRIES, GOOSEBERRIES, BLACKBERPvIES, and STRAWBERRIES of all new and approved varieties. We have, for the accommodation ot Nrr.sEr.YMEN, STOCKS and SEEDLINGS, including APPLE, PEAR, PLUM, CHERRY QUINCE, &c., &c. Also,'^ SEEDLINGS OF EVERGREEN TREES, including Norway Spruce, Balsam Fir, Scotch Piiu-, Austrian Pino, Larch and Hedge Plants. ORNAMENTALi JDEfARTBlENT. The stock of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, both Deciduous and Evergreen, will be found to embrace all that is desirable among LAWN and STREET TREES and SHRUBS. ROSES, consisting of Hvbrid Perpetual and Summer Roses; Moss, Bour- bon, Noisette, tea, Bengal or China, and Climbing or Prairie Roses. HARDY HERBACEOUS or BORDER PLANTS and BUL- BOUS FLOWER ROOTS, an extensive assortment. All the above will be disposed of at low rates, and on advan- tageous terms. For further details we refer to our full set of Catalogues, which will be mailed to apphcauts who enclose a one cent stamp, for each. No. 1. Descriptive Catalogue of Fruits, &c. " 2. do do Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, Roses, &c. " 3. do do Green-House and Bedding Plants, Dahlias, &. " 4. Wholesale or Trade List for Nurserymen and Dealers. " 5. Catalogue of Bulbous Flower Roots. 1^" All communications to be addressed to A. FROST & Co., Sep. 1858.— 2t. Genesee Valley Nurseries, Rochester. N. Y. GENEVA NURSERIES, GENEVA, N. Y. ON hand, a large stock of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrube Roses, grown on a clay and gravelly soil, consequently being both hardy and vigorous, warranted true to name of Dwarf and Standard Pears. Dwarf and Standard Apples. Dwarf and Standard Cherries. Also, Peaches, Plums, Apricots, Nectarines, Currants, Rasp- berries, Gooseberries, Lawton Blackberry, Strawberry Plants, Grape Vines, &c. Also, the New and Hardy Grapes of Concord, Rebecca, Dela- ware, Diana, Hartford Prolific, with the best Foreign sorts for culture under glass. Green House Plants, Bulbous Flower Roots, to plant in Sept.— Prices moderate. Stocks for Nurserymen, of Cherry, Plum, Pear, Apple, Manette Rose stocks. Wholesale and retail "Catalogues sent on application. W. T. &. E. SMITH, September, 1858.- It* Geneva, N. Y. 1,000 jyiJt* C. p. WHITTEN, Lowell, Mass. WOODEN WATER PIPE. THIS Pipe has been extensively u.sed by Farmers and others, during the last year, and is undoubtedly the best and cheap- est that can be used for the purpose of carrying water from .springs, or for artificial watering places, or water course of any description. Its cheapness brings it within the reach of all. Manufactured by L S. HOBBIE & CO., by September, 1858.— It PkOchester, N. T. THE GENESEE FARMER. 295 FRUIT-CITLTUEE FOR THE MILLION! JUST PUBLISHED. A Hand-Book of Fruit-Culture ; being a Guide to tbe Culture and Management of Fruit-Treea, with Condensed Descriptions of many of the Best and most Popu- lar Varieties in tiie United States. Illustrated with nearly a hun- dred Engravings. By Thomas Geegg. Part Fiest Contains: Intkoductoey Ebmarks, Teansplanting, Pkeliminaeies to Planting, Aptee-Cultuee. Paet Second. TBCE different KINDS OF FEUIT. Almonds, Apricots, Apples, Blackbereies, Ciiekrirs, Cueeants, Goosebeeeies, Grapes, Nectaeinbs, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Quinces, Easpbereibs, Steawbereies. Sent prepaid by first mail, in paper, for 80 cents ; in muslin, 50 cents. Agents wanted. Address FOWLEE & WELLS, August, 1858.— 2t SOS Broadway, New York. FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL TREES. TTTE offer for sale, the coming fall, a large and fine assortment APPLE TEEES, 3 and 4 years, stocks and heaUhy. PEAK " Standard and Dwarf, 'i and 3 years, very fine. " " Dwarf, 1 year, superb, and vei-y cheap in large quantities. CnRREY " St'd & DWf, 2 years, hardy sorts and siz-OTigr. PLUM " 2 years, on Plum stock. PEACH " 1 and 2 years, handsome. APKIOTS, ORANGE QUINCE, GRAPES, &c., &c. CUKEANT3, GOOSEBEEKIES. UASPBEEEIES, BLACK- BEREIES, STXiAWBEEEIES, EHUBAKB, &c. HORSE CHHSTNUT, MOUNTAIN ASH, LINDENS, M.\- PLE3. AMKRICAN and EUKOPEAN ASH, AMERICAN CHESTNUT, SHKUBS, ROSES, &c. Also, a fine stock of BALSAM FIR, NORWAY SPRUCE, AMERICAN ARBOR VIT^, and a general assortment of other Nursery articles. Nurserymen, Dealers, and Planters, are invited to call. Orders promptly attended to. Descriptive and Wholesale Catalogues furnished. T. C. MAXWELL & BEO'S. Geneva, Ontario county, N. Y., August 1, 1S5S. — 2t TJ. S. TENT AND FLAG MANUFACTORY, No. Vi Buffalo St., KocJiesttv, N. V. HAVING purchased the entire stock of Tents and Flags for- merly owned by E. C. Williams, I am prepared to rent the same at reasonable rates, for Agricultural Fairs, Military Encamp- ments. Camp Meetings, Conferences, &c., &c. I will also manufacture, on short notice. Tents, Flags, Aisiiings, Bags, and everything pertaining to this branch of business. Address JAMES FIELD, July, 1S58.— 3t* Box 701, Rochester, N. Y. ALBANY TILE WORKS. Corner Clinton Avenue and Knox Sis., Albany, N.Y. TIIE SUBSCRIBERS, bein^ the most extensive manufacturers of Draining Tile in the United States, have on hand, in large or small quantities, far Land Draining, Sole and Horse-shoe Tile, ■warranted superior to any made in this country, hard burned, and over one foot in length. Orders solicited. Cartage free. C. & W. McCAMMON. Albany, N. Y, Dama & Co., Agents, Utica. Jas. Walker & Co., Agents, Schenectady. April — 6t NURSERYMEN, FLORISTS, AND AGRICULTURISTS, PAUL BOSSANGE, Agent for LOUIS LEROY, of the Grand Jaedin, Angers, France, begs to announce that he is now fully prepared to execute all orders for Fruit, Forest, and Orna- mental Trees, Shrubs, Flowers, &c. Catalogues of the prices current, embracing shipping and in- surance charges, and all other needful information, may be had (gratis) on application to PAUL BOSSANGE, June, 13oS. — 4t. 20 Beekman street, New York. K C\(\C\ AGENTS WANTED— To sell four new inventions. 0«"U\J Agents have made over $23,iiOil on one, — better than all other similar agencies. Send four stamps and get 80 pages particulars, gratis. EPHEAIM BKOWN, Lowell, Mass July, 1858.— St* BASS BARK — Prepared by ourselves for the use of Nursery- men in budding. Price 25 cents per lb. H. E. HOOKER & CO., [ August, 1853— 2t Commercial Nurseries, Kooheater, N. Y, MODEL MERCANTILE COLLEGE, ROCHESTER, N. Y., EE-OPENS PERMANENTLY, SEPTEMBER 1st, 1358, IN wamslet's marble block, main street, When will be introduced a new mode of Instruction, combining Theory and Practice, by means of certain Counting Room and Banking arrangements, approved practical forms, routine of business, etc., etc. The rooms appropriated to college purposes in this splendid block, are the largest and most elegant of any Commercial Institution in the country, containing over ten thou- sand square feet of floor, and furnished in the most elegant man- ner. Every variety of business is appropriately represented, and actual!!/ performed by the pupil, until he becomes practically familiar with the process of opening, conducting, and closing books, and the whole routine of mercantile transactions, from the details of a country store to the more complicated operations of the highest banking institution. ForfuU particulars, send for circulars. G. W. EASTMAN, President, Author of Fulton & Eastman's Penmanship and Book-Keeping. Rochester, September 1, 1858. IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. THE greatest improvement of the age is "SCOVILL'S ROTA- RY SUB-bOIL ATTACIIMENT^TO COMMON PLOWS." By its use, one-third can be added to crops, without extra labor or cost. This is an entirely new Implement, creating no little excite- ment, and is wanted by every farmer whose motto is ''•Excehior.'" Many testimonials similar to the following from Mr. Johnson, Sec'y N. Y. State Ag. Society, might be given: '•I consider this to be a very valuable contribution to the agri- culturist, and believe it to be the thing needed to fill a great want of the country." Its advantages over the sub-soil plow are — 1st. It does its work better. 2d. The plowing and subsoiling are done at the same time. Thus, work of extra team an.J "help" is saved. 3d. Plows run easier with the "Attachment" than without it. Price of "Attachment," $G, and it can be applied to aay plow; of Plow and Attachment, $18; and xcarravtvl to xuif. Address GEO. F. NEEDHAM, September, 1S5S. — It Agricultural House, Bufialo, N. Y, ATTENTION ! NURSERYMEN, FARMERS, &C. X\7E have now on hand, 20000 Dwarf Pear Trees, 2 to 4 years V\ old, of the finest growth, consisting of all the leading vari- eties. Also. 250,000 French Quince Stocks, which we offer'at the followins Low prices : DWARF PEARS, 3 to 4 years old. well rooted and branched $20 CO per hundred. " " ."iUO, or upwards, .lilf) 00 per hundred. " " 2 years old, fine, S12 00 " " QUINCE STOCKS, Selected, Strong, $10 00 per thousand. Second size suitable to bud First Season, with good culture, $6 00 per thousand. Well packed, and delivered at the Depot, Utica, N. Y. EASTMAN & CO., Maple Groye Nurseries, September, 1S5S.— 2t. Waterville, Oneida Co., N. Y. STOCKS FOR NURSERYMEN. WE offer to the trade, the coming fall, a large lot of first class Stocks, comprising ANGERS QUINCE STOCKS, a prime article of our own growinc. and cheaper than they can be imported. MAZZARD CHERRY STOCKS, one year old, stroruj. MAHALEB " " " " PLUM STOCKS, nrie ye&r, very nice. APPLE STOCKS, two years, ie)-y nice. Early orders solicited. Price list sent on application. T. C. MAXWELL & BEO'S. Geneva, Ontario county, N. Y., August, 1853. — 2t RUSSIA OR BASS MATS-Selected expressly for budding and tying. GUNNY BAGS, TWINES, &c., suitable for Nursery purposes, lor sale in lots to suit, by • D. W. MANWARING, Importer, August, 1853.— ly* 243 Front street, New York. 296 THE GENESEE FAEMER. Prices of Agricultural Products at the Principal Markets in the United States, Canada and England. NEW YORK, Aug. 2Sth. PHILADELP'IA, Aug. 2Sth. EOCHESTER, Aug. 2Sth. CHICAGO, Aug. 24th. TORONTO, Aug. 2Sth. LONDON Aug. , ENS., 9th. Beef per 100 lbs., $4.50 @ $6.00 $2.00 @ $3.25 $450 @ $6.00 $8.25 @ $15.00 do mess, per bbl., . . Pork, per 100 lbs., .... $11.75 @ $14.75 $16.00 @ $16.50 6.00 16.00 .11 .12 .05 4.50 1.22 .68 .63 .44 .56 4.00 1.75 1.00 7.00 .20 8.00 6.00 18.00 .14 .08 6.25 1.30 .70 .45 2.25 1.12)^ .16 .08 4.25 6.75 1.10 1.42 .83 .90 .70 • .85 .40 .46 18.00 .13 .19 .13 5.00 1.14 1.02 .84 .66 .75 4.80 .17 .08 4.20 1.00 .65 .55 .36 .45 4.50 1.50 .18 .10 4.50 1,20 .60 ..38 .50 5.00 2.00 .28 .15 6.00 1.68 1.08 .90 1.05 1.20 5.25 5.50 2.25 1.65 1.68 4.50 1.25 .70 2.00 .23 5.00 1.87 .90 6.00 .83 5.52 1.98 2.04 Hay, per ton, Wool, per lb., 8.00 .21 4.00 12.00 4.50 .83 .47)^ .26 .28 Wood, hard, per cord, CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. A few Words on the Cultivation of Wheat A Scotchman's views on Wheat Culture in America Cultivation of Wuiter Barley Winter Wheat in New Hampshire Top Dressing Wheat at the time of Sowing The Wheat Midge — A Suggestion Fair of the Eoj'al Agricultural Society of England Ashes for Corn Mules vs. Horses 273, Suggested Items — No. 24 Bots in Horses South Downs for California Yield of Sugar from Maple Trees Notes for the Month, by S. W Eye and its Culture Stacliing and Feeding out Straw Keeping Cattle in Sheds and Stables the whole year We Plow too Much To prevent a Ditch caving in Sandy Land African Cattle. Four Calves in Eleven Months Hoed Crops— Clean Culture Preserving Cheese from Injury by Flies New Mediterranean Wheat HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. Failure of the Fruit Crops 280 Weeping or Drooping Trees 280 Adorning and Beautifying Farmers' Homes 2S2 Both Useful and Ornamental 284 Gooseberry Mildew 284 Failure of Nursery Trees 2S5 About Spad'nor Garden Beds 2S5 Orchards and Hogs 2S6 Prevenliou of the Borer 286 Transplanting Evergreens 286 Fruit Stealing 287 Covering Half-Hardy Plants 287 Common Plants. Profitable Apple Tree 2S7 ladies' department. Original Domestic Receipts 288 American Farmers' Daughters 288 EDITOR S TABLE. Our Advertising Department 289 Inquiries and Answers 289 Notices of Books, Pamphlets, &c 291 National, State, and County Agricultaral Fairs 291 ILLUSTRATIONS. Roots of Wheat and Barley 270 The Wheat Midge 271 South Down Rain " Ma.ster Pordham" 274 European Weeping Ash 281 Weeping Sophora 281 Gooseberry Mildew '. .. ... 284 Cover for Ualf-IIaray Plants 2S7 CHERRY STONES. OF first rate quality, n per bushel. A limited stock selected from young wild Mazzard Trees, $10 per bushel. Catalogues of TRKE SKED'^. nnd crpnernl Niir^rrv '•'tof-1- "ratis THOMAS MEEHAN, Germnntown Nurseries, September, 185S,— 2t near PhUadelphia, Pa. THE ASHLAND CLOVER HULLING AND CLEANING MACHINES ! THE BEST IN THE WORLD! TAei/ liave taken ilm First Premhcm at tJie World's Ibir, Ohio and Mk?iigan State lairs, County Fairs, and loherever exhibited. THESE Machines are warranted to hull and clean from twenty to fifty bushels of seed per day. They have been long tried and found to be the most reliable and durable. These machines, with all the imi)rovements, are made only by the subscribers, who have on hand a large number for the season of 1S58. KS° Send for a circular, and order early. Price from $90 to $100. MANSFIELD & WHITING, September, 1868.— It* Ashland, Ohio. FIELD'S PEAR CULTURE. A TREATISE on the Propagation and Cultivation of the Pear m America— a full catalogue and description of the differ- ent varieties — their adaptation to Dwarfs and btandards— the best modes of pruning with directions for ripening and preserving the fruit, numerous engravings carefully prepared, exhibit both the erroneous and correct methods of treatment. By Thos. W. Field. 1 VOL. 12 MO., PRICE 75 CENTS, will be sent post-paid, on receipt of price. Address, A. O. MOORE, Agricultural Bofik Publisher, September, 1858.— It 140 Fulton St., New York. The Practical and Scientific Farmer^s Own Paper. THE GENESEE FARMER, A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. illustp.ated wrrn numerous enoratings of Farm Buildings, AnimEds, Implements, Fruits, &c. VOLUME XIX, FOE 1858. Fifty Cents a Year, In Advance. Five Copies for |2 ; Eight Copies for $8 ; and any larger num- ber at the same rate. Il^~ All subscriptions to commence with the year, and the entire volume supplied to all subscribers. |^°° Po6t-Mastees, Farmers, and all friends of improvement, are respectfully solicited to obtain and forward subscriptions. Specimen numbers sent to all applicants. Subscription money, if properly enclosed, may be sent at the risk of the Publisher. Address JOSEPH HARRIS, January 1, 1858. Hockester, J/". T. Postage. — The postage on the Farmer, sent to any place to the State of New York, paid quarterly in advance, is three cents a ye.ar; to any other place in the United States, six cents a year. We pay the American postage on all papers sent to the Canadas, or any of the other British Provincee. •■V^^Mcrr^. "^^ - — = Vol. XIX, Second Series. ROCHESTER, N. Y., OCTOBER, 1858, No. 10. NOTES OF A TEIP WEST. Leaving our quiet sanctum on the 3d of Sep- tember, we set out for a rapid glance at the prairies of the Great "West. If, like us, kind reader, you have never seen the so-called " granary of the world," the Yalley of the Mississippi, and will take a seat with us in the comfortable cars of the New York Central Railroad, we will promise you a ride which Avill enable you to realize somewhat the fact that " this is a great country." The best soil and the best farmers of the Empire State are found in Western New York, and no- where can we obtain a better view of them, from the cars, than on the Rochester and Niagara Falls Railroad. Look at this beautiful rolling limestone land, neither too heavy nor too light, and rich in all the elements of fertility ! Here is a rich field of clover, and there a well-prepared fallow for wheat. On that side-hill is a flourishing apple orchard, and now we catch a glimpse of the com- modious barn and neat farm-house. It would be difficult to paint a scene more indicative of peace, prosperity, and plenty. Here we are at Suspen- sion Bridge. Now we roll slowly over the mighty chasm, and look down with fear and trembling into the awful gulf below. Safe in her Majesty's dominions, we enter the commodious cars of the Great Western Railway, and are soon rolling through one of the finest agricultural districts on the American continent. " I thought Canada was a cold, sterile country, affording little but lumber, and a good place to fish and hunt, and sell wooden nutmegs." "Many persons have held such an opinion, but it is a most mistaken notion." "What may be called a 'Yankee notion,' I sup- pose, and therefore not particularly pleasing to the Canadians!" " This part of Canada is no colder than Western New York. It is a peninsula, nearly surrounded by the waters of lakes Ontario, Erie, and Huron, which greatly moderate the climate. Peaches and aU other fruits succeed as well here as in Western New York. In fact, there is very little difference either in the soil, climate, or productions." " Or in the modes of cultivation." "The main features are alike, but you perceive the influence of English and Scotch agricultm-al practices. Look at that long-tailed Scotch plow, made of iron. They plow very straight with it, but not so deep or wide as we do, and they finish up the dead furrows better. There seems to be less Indian corn and more turnips than with us. Here is a quantity of manure drawn out, and lime scattered over the heaps — an old obsolete English practice, which certainly can not be recommended. Still, on the whole, the Canadians are good farm- ers, and quite an intelligent class of men ; — at all events, the fact that the Genesee Farmer has about three thousand subscribers in the Province, speaks well for them." "I am very favorably impressed with the coun- try— this railroad is admirably managed — we make good time— the conductors are models of civility the bridges are firm, the stations substantial and well arranged, and everything proceeds with a regularity that indicates good rules systematically carried out. The managing Director, J. C. Bbidges Esq., is said to be one of the most eflicient and popu- lar railroad men in the country. There is no road better managed, and none more worthy of the ex- tensive patronage which it receives." "The engine whistles 'brakes.' We are ap- proaching Paris. This is one of the best agricul- tural districts in Canada. On Mr. Christy's farm near here, the wheat was grown which took the gold medal at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. It weighed 66 lbs. per bushel. I was on this farm eight years ago this fall, and saw tlie wheat before it was sent to London. Wheat was then selling here for 38 cents per bushel ! Since then, the opening of the railroad and the removal of the duty into the United States, have given the farmers here nearly as good prices as we get m Rochester." Here we are at London, a handsome, thriving city, "but not equal," says an English friend back 298 THE GENESEE FARMER. of us, "to Lor-don at 'ome." From London to Windsor 110 miles, the railroad passes through a low, level, uninteresting country, with here and there a tract of better land. At Detroit, we called on Mr. R. F. Johnstone, editor of the Michigan Farmer^ an old and valua- ble agricultural journal. He was busily engaged attending to his duties as Secretary of the Michigan State Agricultural Society. We visited several nurseries in the outskirts of the city, and were ])Ieased to learn that they are doing well. We started for Chicago in the evening, by the Michigan Central Railroad. On this admirably managed road "sleeping cars" have been intro- duced, in which, for 50 cents, you can obtain a berth, with pillow, coverlet, &c. Here we slept soundly. The berths are as comfortable as those on a steamer. We enter Chicago on the shore of the lake, and obtain a fine view of Michigan Avenue — a street of princely mansions facing the lake, and bordered with shade trees. Here, too, we see the Second Presbyterian Church, with a steeple 200 feet high. It is in the Gothic style, built of a peculiar pitchy stone, in which black and white are mingled, and presents a singular and striking appearance. It is said to be the " handsomest church west of New York," The Great Central Depot, the terminus of seven railroads, gives one a good idea of the im- mense business of this great metropolis of the West. Chicago is situated on a level plain, just suffi- ciently elevated to prevent inundation. The grade of the city has been repeatedly raised, and it is now la process of being raised eight feet higher. The process of elevation does not appear to be carried on with any particular system. In front of one block we find the new grade, and in front of the next we have the old street, eight feet lower. Proceed a block or two, and you have again to ascend the new grade, congratulating yourself if there are steps, and you have not to scramble up the bank of yielding prairie dirt, or what has not inappropriately been termed " Chicago blacking." These " ups and downs" in the streets appropriate- ly represent the ups and downs of Chicago hfe, where a poor man sometimes wakes up in the morning and finds himself a millionaire, and where more frequently the merchant prince of to-day is a hopeless bankrupt to-morrow. Still, with all its extravagance and bombast, with all its wild specu- lation and ruinous expenditure, with all its mud and misery, Chicago, notwithstanding its low land and high rents, is the great commercial center of the Northwest, and is destined, from its admirable location and from the enterprise of its citizens, to be one of the largest and most prosperous cities on the American continent. It is now " the greatest grain port in the world," and its growth must keep pace with the growth of the vast territory of which it is the natural focus. There are two weekly agricultural papers pub- lished in Chicago — the old and well known P/'rtfri^ Farmer, edited by the Messrs. Medill; and lU recent and enterprising contemporary, Emery's Journal of Agriculture. Let us take the cars of the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy Railroad, which passes through some of the best farming lands in the Prairie State. For nearly 30 miles we pass over a low, level prairie, which, though undoubtedly very rich if well drained, presents at present a rather uninteresting appearance in an agricultural point of view. This first view of the prairie does not give one a favora- ble impression. A sea of rank, coarse vegetation, with here and there a hay stack and herds of cattle in the distance, make up the scene. No solemn hills nor smiling valleys, no fine trees nor pretty flowers, no quiet homesteads nor rural lanes, — we confess to a feehng of disappointment. At Batavia we strike Fox river and wood land^ containing scrub oaks, with an occasional large tree. Here we are at Aurora, another beautiful village on Fox river; and now we emerge from the wood lands upon a rich rolling prairie, present- ing a much more agreeable appearance than the level prairie around Chicago. That corn is good, but poorly cultivated. Those apple trees on that southern side hill look wretchedly ; many are dead, and the rest are surrounded with suckers. Here is a magnificent rolling prairie, stretching as far as the eye can reach on each side of the railroad track. We can see hundreds of sugar-loaf wheat stacks, with here and there a threshing machine at work. The stubbles are very clean, and many of them are being plowed again for wheat this fall. Here is a plot of buckwheat, inferior to what we often see on the comparatively sterile side-hills of New Eng- land, and there a plot of weeds far higher and more luxuriant. Adjoining this, in the same field, is a hundred acres or so of corn, rioting in the rich soil and giving promise of an abundant harvest. Here is some Chinese sugar cane, twelve or fifteen feet high. Now we ai-e on an unbroken prairie, with large herds of cattle and horses grazing on the higher portions. There is a field of clover by no means luxuriant. Here we are at Piano, on a cultivated, rolling prairie, with large farms dotted over with wheat ; stacks and heaps of straw left lying about the fields. There is a neat, white, farm-house, with green blinds, and not a tree or a shrub within a mile of it ! Here an enterprising farmer has planted out' an Osage orange hedge, and left it to taU care of itself. It is made up of tall weeds and long fish- THE GENllSEE FARMER. 399 poles. Tliere is a young orchard — the best we have yet seen in Illinois. A splendid crop of oats lies cut on the ground. Perhaps the owner thinks the soil too rich for apple trees ! Here is a novel method of preventing the wind from blowing away the roofs of hay stacks. Hills of corn, with the soil attached to the roots, are tied together at the tassels and laid across the top of the stack, the heavy roots hanging down the sides of the roof and keeping all snug and tight. Here we are in the midst of a' magnificent prairie, bounded on all sides by the horizon. There, on a slight elevation, stands a large, octagon house ; all around is Prairie, prairie everywhere, And never a tree in sight. "What village is this?" " This, sir, is Mendota ci«y." "Indeed! Topographical conformation stamps the character of our ideas, and no wonder that the inhabitants of such magnificent and boundless prairies should have rather expansive notions." "You are a stranger in these parts?" " Yes, sir ; I came from Rochester, N. Y." "/ came from York State. "We are all Yorkers out here. Those trees you were speaking about came from Rochester. There is a paper published there, the Genesee Farmer^ that has lots of sub- scribers here." "I know the paper. It does not amount to much, does it ?" " Well, middling fair. It says too much about underdraining and manuring to suit us exactly out here, but there are some good hints in it." " How are your crops, this season ?" " Farmers are pretty much discouraged." "Don't you think it would pay better to cultivate less land and more thoroughly, and even to under- drain and manure a Httle?" The conductor's "all aboard" cut short the con- versation, and we hope our friend will answer the question through the Farmer. From Mendota to Galesburg the country pre- sents much the same aspect— vast prairies, great herds of cattle, immense fields of luxuriant corn, and not unfrequently fields prepared for corn but not planted, on account of the late, wet spring, covered over with equally luxuriant weeds. The country is mostly new, with immense resources yet to be developed. The farmers are an intelligent and enterprising class of men ; and though the system of agriculture is somewhat slovenly and )pen to criticism, still great progress has been made ind enough accomplished to warrant us in antici- jating for this vast and fertile country a bright and prosperous future. QUINCY AND THE MISSISSIPPI. We arrived at Quincy late in the evening, and obtained our first view of the mighty "Father of Waters" in the stillness and darkness of night. The river is here some six hundred miles from the Falls of St. Anthony, and nearly fourteen hundred miles above New Orleans. Slowly and silently the vast body of water rolls on unceasingly to the ocean. Century after century it rolled onward when the vast area which it drains was an impen- etrable wilderness ; and now, when its banks teem with a living, active, prosperous population, the self same river rolls on its mighty course, ever changing yet ever the same. Quincy is a beautiful city. It is laid out on a •side-hill, in streets running parallel with the river, intersected with other streets at right angles, like Philadelphia and Cincinnati. It has nearly 20,000 inhabitants, and has streets mapped and marked out for 100,000 more. Land is higher here than in Rochester, F. Y. A mile from the business por- tion of the city, good lots sell at the rate of from $3,000 to $5,000 per acre! Lieut. Gov. Wood re- sides here, and is erecting a house which is esti- mated to cost $125,000. He has a large and beau- tiful farm in or near the city. He raises immens* crops of timothy hay, which is put up in bales and sent south. The farm is surrounded with a fine, thrifty, and eflfective Osage orange hedge, which having been well managed, succeeds admirably well. The only trouble now is that it grows so strong as to require much labor to clip it. In the grounds of Dr. Marous Merrick we saw a fine lot of standard and dwarf pear trees. The standards were two years from the bud when planted — five years ago. They bore fruit in two years after planting. Last year they bore a fine crop of excellent fruit. This year the crop was but moderate, the fruit being small and very much stung. The trees have grown remarkably, and present a healthy and handsome appearance. Dr. M. has never been troubled with blight. He has some beautiful Flemish Beauties weighing at least a pound each. His standard Onondaga trees bore the third year after planting, and every year since. He considers it one of the best varieties. The Winter Nelis is loaded with magnificent fruit. The Louise Bonne de Jersey is also very fine ; so are the Sechels. His dwarf trees were obtained from a Syracuse nursery, and arrived in very bad condition, and in consequence have not done so well. A Beurre Diel, planted at the same time as the standards, bore this year for the first time. It is now loaded with beautiful fruit. All the dwarfs this year are doing well— better than the standards. Dr. M. has a fine lot of grapes, but they are badly } mildewed this year. They require a southern ex- 300 THE GENESEE FARMER. posm-e and poor culture. He has had great success with strawberries. A bed 45 feet by 60, or about the sixteenth part of an acre, produced this season ySO quarts, which were sold for $82. The varieties were Longworth's Prolific, Burr's New Pine, Large Early Scarlet, and Hudson. There is a fine Osage orange hedge around the grounds, five years planted, which has succeeded admirably, and presents an impenetrable barrier to animals, beside aiTording a screen from the fierce ■nduds which sweep over the prairies. It stands the winters here perfectly we'l, but does not suc- ceed in the shade or on wet ground. All that it requires is good soil, good care, good culture, and close pruning. The great error is in not cutting back enough the first two or three years. Dr. Adam Nichols, of Quincy, showed us a re- markably productive grape vine. A few years ago he built an additional wing to his house, and not wishing to remove a grape vine that grew on the spot, he bent down the branches and built over it. The vine grew and spread over the house, and a portion of it ran np into a large catalpa tree. It was loaded with delicious grapes and presented a most beautiful appearance. Dr. Nichols, as the result of long observation in this vicinity, is very much opposed to planting any kind of trees in the autumn. He pointed out an instance which seemed to confirm this opinion. Two rows of elm trees were planted out on both sides of a street — one row in the faU, and the other the spring following. Many of the former are dead, and none of them have done well; while those l)lanted in the spring aU hved, and are now large, handsome trees. The contrast is very striking. The trees were obtained from the same place and set out by the same man. Bidding adieu to our kind friends at Quincy, we took the steamer for St. Louis, IGO miles distant, stopping to take in passengers and freight at sev- eral places on both sides of the river, the steamer in all cases turning round, with her head up stream. There are numerous islands in the river, covered with large trees, which serve to relieve the monot- ony of the scene. There are " bluifs " on one side of "the river, and "bottoms" on the other— seldom or never, in this portion of the river, bluffs or bot- toms on both sides at once. The "bluffs" disap- pointed us. We had supposed they were high, bold, almost perpendicular rocks; but instead of this, they are mostly side-hills, ascendmg gradually from the river, and clothed with magnificent for- ests—forests as apparently unbroken, and present- ing as grand and gorgeous an appearance, as when Dk Soto first broke their solemn stillness. Our steamer drew eight feet of water, and we turned up stream to get some wood from a lonely island in the river. •' Ho ! Jemie ! " said our tall, thin, keen-eyed captain, " get out the lead." He did so, and reported 15 feet of water ; then 14 feet, 13 feet, 11 feet, 10 feet, 9 feet, 8i! We held our breath for the next sounding. "Ten feet." Safe by six inches ! Night comes on and envelops the surrounding banks in a thick covering of darkness. What a wise law of nature it is that water is visible on the darkest night ! By it the landsman can avoid water, and the navigator stear clear of the land. We stop to ta,ke on a lot of squealing hogs. Lighted pine sticks are placed in an iron vessel and hung on the side of the steamer, casting a lurid glare on the wild scene around. The pigs on board, we proceed onward, but soon stop again and take on a flock of gentle sheep, and shortly afterwards a herd of unruly cattle, whose bellowing and the fierce shouts of the men made the welkin ring. Now we stop at a solitary mill, and a gang of men rapidly roll on several hundred barrels of flour. We get some idea of the vast commerce of this mighty river. In the gray dawn of morning we pass the mouth of the Missouri. Its particles of water, after traveling together over 3,000 miles, seem loath to part company, and do not mingle with the water of the Mississippi for many miles. The turbid waters of the Missouri and those of the comparatively clear Mississippi lie stretched out before the eye like two vast ribbons, till by and by they lose their identity in one mighty stream. For many miles before we reach St. Louis, the approach to the city is indicated by the numerous steamers lying at anchor along the shore. Seen from the river, St. Louis, with its immense fleet of steamers stretched out for miles along the levee, presents a most beautiful and striking appearance. It is laid out on a side-hill, in streets parallel with the river, and a stranger is agreeably surprised at the substantial character of its buildings as well as at the magnitude of its commerce and manufactures. THE ST. LOUIS AGEICTILTXJEAL FAIK. The St. Louis Agricultural and Mechanical As- sociation held theu- Third Annual Fair, on their grounds near the city, September 6—10. The fan- grounds are the handsomest we have ever seen. There is an immense ampitheatre surrounded with raised seats for 12,000 persons, and covered in. The animals are brought into the arena, where the jud