.. ?tate College of &gncultu« At QJornell IntUEraita 3tl>ata. ». $. Hthrarg Cornell University Library S 521.M369 The farmers miscellany :and the agricult 3 1924 001 162 878 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924001162878 ®(5^ THE FARMERS MISCELLANY MassreraausCT ©isia. TREATING UPON THE GASES, SALTS, ATMOSPHERE, MANURES, SEEDS, HOT BEDS, GRASSES, GRAINS, VEGETABLES, FRUITS, GARDENING, GRAFTING, PRUNING, AND ANIMALS ; WITH FORM OF AGREEMENT WITH LABORERS, AND A GREAT VARIETY O? \ USEFUL AGRICULTURAL MATTER. JHKitjj an SlppirnUi): of baluaile Hecctjpts, &c, BY GEO. W. MARSHALL, AUTHOR OB" " THE FARMER AND BMIOBANT'3 HAND BOOK," KTO. SIXTY ILLUSTRATIONS. fe«* NEW TOEK : R. T. YOUNG, PUBLISHER, 140 FULTON STREET. 1854. •£££ : S FRUITS. A New Use for Apples. — That apples will fatten pigs, cattlo and children, has got to be an old story ; it is now known that they will fatten poultry. Geese and ducks feed upon them, with avidity, when broken, and dung hill fowls also, and will peck and eat the mellow apples which fall from the tree. Now if apples will make pork and beef fat — and thousands can attest to this fact — why will they not make fat the goose, the duck, and the chicken? All that is required is that they should be mellow or broken, or perhaps it would be better to have them boiled. Important — To Keep Apples. — When there is frost, all you have to do is to keep the apples in a state of perfect darkness, until thaw has taken place. If they thaw in darkness they only do not rot, but lose very little of their original flavor. "NT Cole's Quinck. — Large, to very large ; flattish-conical ; ribbed ; bright yellow, seldom a brown cheek, stem short; in a deep cavity ; calyx large, in a deep basin ; flesh when first ripe, firm, juicy, pleasant acid, and first rate for cooking. When very mellow, remarkably tender, of a mild, rich, high quince flavor and aroma. When in perlection we have never seen its super.or. July to Sept. Cooking early in July. A good grower. Good and constant bearer. Requires a strong soil. Flourishes in the North : disseminated but not fruited in other regions: Raised by the late Capt. Henry Cole, Cornish, Me. Budding, or innovating is a process which should be per- formed in the month of June. The method is to make an incision as deep as the bark, in the form of a T, two inches long; then take a bud with a little of the hark attached to it. Thrust the bud under the bark on the tree, so that the foot of the bu* maj come in contact with the naked wood of the tree. The bark of the tree should then be tightly hound over the bud, keeping tW 26 THE AGHICTJLTURIST S GUIDE. foot of the bud in close contact. Care should be taken not to wound the wood of the tree in the operation by the knife. Rhode Island Greenings. Large, flat- fish ; smooth, pale-green, brownish cheek, full in the sun ; stalk two thirds of an inch long, rather slender; calyx small, closed, in a shallow, plaited basin ; flesh yellowish, fine, tender, crisp, juicy, slightly acid and aro- matic. Last of Nov. to Feb. Rapid and stout grower, great bearer. Excellent for cooking, and pretty good for eating. One of the very best for main crops. It succeeds well on rather light, sandy soil. It is the leading apple, in K. I., the place of its ori- gin ; one of the principal in New England, generally, and New York., but begins to fail in Western N. Y„ and fails in the West, par- ticularly on bottom lands. In Mass. the Baldwin is more profitable for the market, but this equally valua- ble for family use. Cole. Method of Preserving Grapes. — Take a cask or barrel, inac- cessible to the external air, and put into it a layer of bran, dried in an oven, or of ashes well dried and sifted. Upon this, place a layer of grapes well cleaned, and gathered in the afternoon of a dry day, before they are perfectly ripe. Proceed thus with alter- nate layers of bran and grapes, till the barrel is full, taking care that the grapes do not touch each other, and let the layer be of bran ; then close the barrel, so that the air may not be able to pen- etrate, which is an essential point. To restore them to their fresh- ness, cut the end of the stalk of each bunch of grapes, and put that of white grapes into red wine, as you would put flowers intc water, to revive or keep them fresh. Cole. A Punctual Man is rarely a very poor man, and never a man of doubtful credit. His small accounts are frequently settled, and he never meets with difficulty in raising money to pay large de- mands. Small debts neglected ruin credit ; and when a man has lost that, he will find himself at the bottom of a hill he cannot ascend, THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 27 SUMMER PEARS. The upper engraving represents the Tyson pear. Medial ; short pyriform ; light yellow, russet patches, red in the sun ; stem medial, set on a point ; basin broad and shallow ; flesh white, melting, very juicy, sweet, with a very delicious aromatic flavor. — Latter part of August, 1st of September. The original tree in Jenkinstown, Pa., is 6 feet round. The middle engraving rep- resents Dearborn's Seed- lings. Small ; turbinate ; stem an inch long, in a slight : cavity ; shallow basin ; very smooth, yellow, minute dots, a little russet around the stem ; flesh white, juicy, melting, of a sweet, sprightly flavor. — Aug. 20, to Sept. 10. Hardy, vigorous, and productive. — Originated by Gen. H. A. S. Dearborn, Roxbury, Mass. The third engraving repre- sents the Osborn pear. Rath- er small ; obtuse pyriform ; bright yellow, with brownish specks ; stem stout, obliquely set; calyx small, slightly sunk; flesh white, tender, melting, juicy, of a sweet, lively, aromatic flavor, with a slight astringency. Aug. at Cincinnati. Vigorous. Origi- nated by Mr. John Osborn, Economy, la. Ranked among the best early pears, and Ernst thinks that it will sus- tain this character, but he has fruited it only one year. Cole. Bvney and Milk- are good to destroy worms 28 THE AGRICULTUltlSr S GUIDE. FALL PEARS. Washington. — Small medial ; oval-obovate; bright, yellow, ruddy cheek, and red spots; stem medial, slender, slight cavity; shallow- basin ; flesh ' white, fine, melting, sweet, deli- cious, and perfumed ; uniformly good. Sept, 10. to Oct. Rather small for market. Fine for the amateur, particularly fur- ther south. Small grower, good bearer. Beautiful fruit. Origin, Gen. Rob- inson's estate, Delaware. Thejoutside engraving represents the Bel It? Lu- crative. The inside the/ / Washington. Bellk Lucrative Fon\ dante de Automne. Media] ;; round- obovate ; pale -yellowish -\ green, slight russet ; stalk me- i dial, stout, obliquely set in a \ slight cavity; calyx open, in a "moderate depression ; flesh molting, extremely juicy ; of a rich, honied, aromatic flavor. Latter part of Sept. In a warm soil i nd a favorable season, it has no superior, but it varies. Hardy and good bearer. Does not blight nor crack. Poorer in moist soil. Not well tested itt orchard culture. Foreign. Cole. THE CHERRY. Downer, Downer's Late. — Large medial ; regularly roundish, slightly heart-shaped ; light- red, often mottled with yellow; stalk rather long and slender ; flesh very tender, extremely juicy, sweetish, with a very slight bitter, pecu- liar to some Mazzards, of a very luscious flavor. Fourth to the 12th of July. Tree remarkably hardy and vigorous, a great and" sure bearer, and the fruit the hardiest of all against the rot, which oftens destroys great quantities of tender fruit. We have seen them ripening fine at the close of a fortnight of wet weather, when most cherries, and in some cases all others, rotted. Originated by S. Downer, Esq., a veteran pomo- logist, of Dorchester, near Boston. Cole THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 29 K. THE PEACH. The Peach, is a native of the warm climate of Persia. The tree is small, of a low spreading form, with limber branch- es, long, narrow, ser- rated leaves, and pink blossoms, that appear before the leaves. In New Jersey, Delaware and Mary- land, are extensive peach orchards, in some cases contain- ing 20,000 trees, and yielding 5, 10, or 15,- 000 dollars from a single plantation. In all parts of the country, the buds are liable to be killed, which causes a failure, and occasionally a haid wintei Hills off most of the old trees, which are easily replaced by new ones. Uses. — The peach is used mostly for the dessert, and is one of the most luscious of all fruits, being, when perfectly ripened on the tree, and eaten soon, wholesome, refreshing, and nourishing. It is strongly diuretic, and rather laxative. Raw peaches, of a fine quality, with a little sugar, are a great luxury, and a good substitute for butter, meats, &c. Peaches and milk are delicious. They make superior preserves. The finest we ever tasted were made of maple sugar and peaches. Though transient in their fresh state, they are dried and saved long, and transported any de- sirable distance. In ice, they have been carried, in their fresh state, to distant parts of the world, in fine condition. . Soil and Location. — The peach will flourish in any friable soil, under good culture, but the best soil is a light and rather dry loam. It succeeds well with good, deep culture, and suitable manure, on light, sandy, and gravelly soils ; but in such cases it is necessary to guard against severe drought by manures, inducing moisture, frequent stirring the soil, mulching, or by all these ad- vantages. Any soil suitable for Indian corn is adapted to the peach. The subsoil should be dry and porous. On moist soils, the tree grows late, and will not ripen its wood in season for winter 30 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. Too much is expected of the peach on light, thin, soils, with bad culture. The trees are transient. Such soils should be subsoiled and manured. All soils not in right condition may be improved - Cole. THE PLUM. Jefferson Plum. Very large, roundish oval : golden yellow, purplish red in the sun, white bloom ; stem an inch long, ra- ther stout, in slight cavity, very slight suture ; flesh orange, very juicy, rich, and high-flavored, almost equal to Green Gage. Almost Free Stone. Septem- ber 1 to 20. A good bearer. Fruit not liable to rot, and hangs long. Among the best. Origi- nated by Judge Buel, Albany. Cole. STRAWBERY AND BLACKBERRY. Swainstone's Seedling. Swainstone's Seedling. scarlet; flesh solid of very fine flavor. High Bush Blackberry. Large ; ovate-conical ; light glossy A vigorous grower, mode- THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. 91 rate bearer, being staminate. Begins to ripen rather early, and matures gradually. Beautiful. Foreign. High Bush, (Rubusvittosus) Fruit large ; long ovate ; shining black ; very tender, juicy, of a sweet, rich, spirited, aromatic flavor, resembling the orange. Growth straight and up- right, then the tops become recumbent. White blossoms. Cole. ' THE CURRANT. May's Victoria. — A new variety from England. We have had bunches over five inches long. The berries are very large, bright red, excellent flavor, and hang long on the bush in perfection. Foliage thick, deep green. Of great excellence. This engraving represents one of this class. Grafting Currants. — The Garden- er's Chronicle, recommended for the pretty appearance presented, as well as for improved flavor, to graft cur- rants of different colors, as the red, black and white, variously intermixed, on stocks trimmed up to a single stem three or four feet high. The tops may be headed down to a dense com- pact head, or trained as espaliers in the horizontal or fan method, the two latter modes of training, by the free exposure to the sun and air, much improving the quality of the fruit. The importance of trimming the bushes up to a single stem to improve the fruit and facilitate clean culture, instead of suffering two hundred and fifty suckers to shoot up all round into a dense brush heap, is very obvious to those who have tried both. Cole. May's Victoria. Briars along fences, are attended with neither beauty nor pro- fit. Keep them mowed to the ground. 32 THE AGRICULTURIST 8 GUIDE. ROTATION OF -CROPS. A rotation of crops is Hot supposed to be absolutely necessary, where plenty of manure of the right sort can be had. But in the absence of that it is indispensable. The slave labor of the south, by confining the land to single crops, has nearly exhausted south- ern lands. A similar effect will be produced here, upon fields de- voted for a long time to the same crop. In some parts of the country, fields, after bearing wheat one year, must lie fallow the next year, to become jecruited. In England, the practice is to follow with a crop of turnips, br something similar. When it is desirable to raise the same crop successively, the land should be manured with that kind of manure chiefly made from the crop. For grain lands, manure from horses fed on grain. Corn land, perhaps with hog manure when fed mainly on grain. Grassland, manure from cattle serves best. This mode exactly supplies the substances most exhausted by the crops. Where it may be inconvenient to have a rotation of crops, or to carry on manure, any green crop turned in roots and tops together, or sown broadcast, proves an excellent manure. Red clover is supposed, however, to be the most valuable for such a purpose, this mode of enriching soil is resorted to altogether too unfre quently. RAISING THE WRONG CROP. One great reason why so many farmers feel themselves so amazingly pinched, is from raising the wrong kind of crop. The man who manured, plowed, and prepared fifteen acres of fine land for corn, and had on it that same year five tons of weeds, would, doubtless, be interested to know the precise expense of those five tons ; but if he cannot make the calculation, he may, perhaps, compute the value of an equal weight of vegeta- ble growth in hay, wheat, or potatoes, which the land would have been as willing to bear. There are many crops of apples n large orchards, up and down the country — a part well worth picking for feeding hogs in winter, and the rest of which very hungry hogs might make an effort to eat ; but such orchards are of no great value after -all. Now, if their owners would only raise a different sort of crop, as of Swaars, Baldwins, and of the northern Spy and Russets, it might possibly make some difference '. v the way of a few hundred dollars a year for every such j.-chard. Changing them from bad to good, is not, perhaps, so difficult nor slow as might be supposed ; and as for the five tons of we > J in the corafip'-l c the army of mulliens and thistles in the THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. 33 pasture, stretching like a devouring and interminable army in every direction, every farmer should regard it as one of the things not to be; under any circumstances whatever. FLOWING. Stirring the SoM. — Every farmer must have noticed, that after the soil has been freshly broken, a few nights of heavy dews will form a considerable crust upon the surface. Rains form a more formidable crust. For plants to flourish best, this crust must be often broken by hoeing and cultivated. Two cucumber hills, side by side, and every way alike, were treated by hoeing — one just enough to destroy the weeds, and the other daily. The latter yielded twice the crop of the former. The celebrated Curwen planted a piece of stiff land with cabbages. His neighbors derided him ; but he kept a horse and cultivator almost con- stantly going during the growing season, and gathered a vast crop, some of the cabbages weighing over fifty pounds each. Another instance : A neighbor, for banter, took a row of broom com to hoe, and his hired man another row ; the neighbor hoed his once a week — the hired man hoed his secretly once a day, before sunrise. When they harvested the crop, the hired man's row was found to be nearly double the other. Breaking the crust is not only an important part in this operation, but the pulveriza- tion and thorough admixture of manure with soil, is, doubtless, highly usefui. Subsoil Plow for Draining. -Aii ■eminent farmer riuw his subsoil plow through the wettest part of his grass lands, and it forms a sub-turf channel, somewhat like the mole plow, without at all displacing the turf, but only slightly raising it. The plow is run in a proper direction for the water to drain off. Deep Plowing. — We have occasionally urged the importance of deepening the soil, by turning up and mixing with the surface small portions of the subsoil, where its nature is such as to pro- duce beneficial .effects. We have known many instances of the beneficial effects of such a course. Dr. D. II. Robinson, of Farmington, Ontario county, being compelled to prepare a piece of grass land for wheat, iate in summer, plowed it very deep — not less in any place th^an eight inches, but averaging nine or ten inches. This was thoroughly harrowed with a small dressing of rotted manure, and sowed upon the inverted sod. The product was thirty-five bushels to the acre, on land where twenty bushels are usually considered a heavy crop. We would more particularly recommend thorough trench plowing-r-one plow to follow the first, so as to loosen and throw up the soil to 34 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. the depth of at least one foot ; the last team to be double, and attached to a strong plow. Fine Tillage.— Row very small, indeed, is the labor of hoeing crops, and how excellent land is for the growth of wheat when it is kept in fine mellow order ! A first-rate farmer, near Cox- sackie, N. Y., prepares his ground, more particularly for wheat, as follows : Cultivators and gang plows are used, and leave the ground in small ridges, a foot apart ; parers, or steel blades, one to three feet long, follow, share the surface, level the ridges, and cut clean all vegetation ; and a spring-tooth horse-rake, made of very large wire, collects weeds and grass, if any, and leaves the ground in beautiful condition. For summer fallow, this is repeated as often during summer as appears best. Forty acres of corn on this man's farm, are tended by a man and boy, and kept as clean and as mellow as an ash heap. LIMING WHEAT. One or two days before sowing, put the seed into a vat or box, then take strong brine, (such as is used for preserving meat,) and heat it as hot as you can bear the hand in, for five seconds, and pour this over the wheat, stirring it the meantime with a scoop or shovel till the whole is completely wet ; two or three quarts of brine is sufficient for a bushel of wheat ; let it stand for a few hours to drain, then spread it on the barn floor and sprinkle it over with fine slacked lime ; stir it and add lime until every ker- nel appears white and dry : it is then fit for sowing. It will only require about one bushel of lime to ten bushels of wheat. BROOM CORN. This corn we believe is not extensively cultivated, except by those who manufacture the brush. It is at present unquestiona- bly susceptible of being rendered a source of extensive emolument to the farmer in whose region little is produced. Its seed is highly Valued as a food for hens, turkeys, and poultry generally ; and in some sections is preferred to oats for horses. It should be planted early* in a light and warm soil. We have never found much difficutly in raising good crops in favorable seasons, and as the grain is of value, we have ever found ourselves fairly remu- nerated for the expense. If you have a plot of light, sandy soil, tolerably warm and active, plant a small quantity and try it. It ftrill repay the cost. THE AGRICULTURIST 8 GUIDE. 35 SEEDS. On the Quantity of Seed to be Sown to an Acre. — The question of thin or thick sowing, both having its wawn advocates, by the subjoined table it will be seen that there is less seed used to the acre with us than in Europe. How far this may effect our com- parative crops, may_be worthy of attention. Wheat.. Rye.... Barley . Oats Millet.. Corn ... Turnips Buckwheat Clover . Flax.... Hemp... Potatoes Germany. Seed per acre !% hush 2 do iy, do 2 to 4 do 7 qts V/t bush 20 qts 1 bush 14 lbs ■2 to 3 bu 2 10 2% do Product. Seed per acre. 25 bush 25 do 35 do 40 do 35 do 26 do 36 i!o 30 to 35 tons 27 10 bush seed 650 pounds 300 bush England. 2% to 3^ bush 2 to 2}£ do 2%. to 4 do 4 to 7 do 3 to 314 do 23 bush 25 do do 32 do 1 to 2 pints 1 to \y z bush 14 to IS pounds 2 to 3 bush do S to 12 do Seed per acre 30 to 35 tons United States. 1 to IK b«sh 1 to 1% do IK to 2 do 2 to 3 do 25 2to2K do 20 to 30 quarts ! 1 to 2 pounds : 16 to 20 quarts 5 to 10 pounds . 10 bush, seed 1 to M bush 8 to 12 but :50 pounds IK to 2K do i 500 pounds 250 bush 8 to 20 do I 175 bush Product IS bushels 15 do 25 do 35 do do do 20 tons 15 to 80 bu The Quantity of Timothy to be Sown to the Acre. — People differ as to the quantity of clean timothy seed to sow on the acre, some say half a gallon ; others say half a bushel to the acre. I believe, from a number of years experience, that on our rich ground from four to six quarts will be sufficient ; and if the ground is well set, do not let the grass get too ripe before cutting, as it will scatter seed and soon get the ground so that it will bind out, as it is called. Good Secc?.— Obtain good seed, prepare your ground, sow early, and pay very little attention- to the moon. Changing Seed,. — There is no greater popular error than this, namely, that it is beneficial to bring seed from a distant field or farm, or different sections of the country, or even a foreign land, for the purpose of change, in supposing that this change alone will obtain a superior crop except occasionally from a high lati- tude to a low one, and sometimes on the contrary. Ask the reason for this opinion, and the ordinary answer is, " Well, I don't know, but I reckon or guess," as the case may be, " it is a good thing to change. After a while things in our country run out, and come to nothing, and to keep 'em up we must make a change." Ask the man of science the same question, and he will answer, " that after growing a certain kind of grain, vegetable, or plant, in the same soil for a series of years, the said soil becomes exhausted of the necessary elements to perfect the said grain, &c. ; that it then inevitably deteriorates, and must be renovated by bringing similar grain from a locality, grown in a soil with somewhat differeat ele- 36 THE ACRICUoTUSIST's guide. ments, and that such seed will be sure to produce with pristine vigor." And forthwith he adopts the change without inquiring whether the seed actually has the exhausted elements required in it, reflecting whether an article so small as many seeds are — wheat for an example, caii possibly hold a sufficiency of said elements to increase its growth of straw and grain in said exhausted soil, suf- ficient to make it a good crop. We hold it utterly impossible in this instance, and most others ; for what is now wanted is as plain as the nose on a man's face. It is this ; not a change of seed, but a restoration of those elements of the soil of which it has been exhausted by the. crops carried off. For example, in wheat pot- ash is the principle matter which has been carried off in the straw ; gluten and starch in the grain, so that to grow good wheat again on the exhausted soil, it must be dressed with barn-yard manure, or muck, or vegetable mould, or with ashes, charcoal dust, lime, and bones. Then we may have good wheat agaip without the necessity of change of seed. Indeed the seed may be improved rather than deteriorated by constantly growing on the same soil, as has been repeatedly proved in this country. ., Preparation of Seed Wheat. — By sieves of suitable size thf largest and best grains may be separated. By washing in water, light seeds of various kinds, and the lightest grains will swim and may be skimmed off. By adding salt to the water, which will increase its specific gravity, old imperfect grains and oats will rise to the surface. Then it will be well to steep the seed a day or two in salt and water ; after which add half a peck of fresh, slaked lime to a bushel of grain, mix thoroughly, that every ker- nel may become coated with lime. Let it remain half a day, or night after liming, and then sow. Quantity of Grass Seed to be sown on an Acre. — Farmers differ much on this subject. Some sow two or three pecks of herdsgrass ; and some sow half a peck. One peck of good herds- grass, and eight or ten pounds of clover seed, are the quantities that are usually sown ; and we are inclined to think this quantity sufficient. Red top is cheap and chaffy. From two to four pecks are commonly sown with the herdsgrass. In case of winter killing, more seed should be sown quite early. When we fear the rains will not bury it deep enough, we roll the ground. We sometimes use an old harrow with very smooth teeth, and drfve slowly, that we may not tear up the grasses that are alive. ON HOT BEDS. Take white cotton, or calico of a close texture, stretch it, and nail it on frames of any size. Take two ounces of lime, four r:ir. A-TRiri'LTURtsT's guide. 37 ounces of linseed oil, two ounces of. eggs, two ounces of the yolk of eggs, four ounces of finely powdered 'dry cheese, mix the iim<- and oil, break the eggs well, separately, then mix them with the oil and lime, with a gentle heat, and, lastly, add the cheese, and stir it well. Spread this mixture over the cotton shades with a brush, allowing each coat to dry before applying another, until the_y become waterproof. I made several attempts -according to the foregoing form, slightly varying it each time, but with the same unsatisfactory result — a thick mass, about the consistence of stiff mortar, which it was impossible to lay on with a brush. I lastly substituted two ounces of strong lime-water for two ounces of lime, and mixed the other ingredients excepting the cheese, in the heat of the sun. If greater heat be applied, this compound also will become a thick mass. The cheese only serves the pur- pose of filling up the interstices in the cotton or calico, if it be of open texture. The stuff I made use of was of very close texture, and did not require the cheese. The application of this compound renders the cotton semi-opaque, or like the ground glass shades. Among the advantages these shades possess over glass ones, the following may be. mentioned : First, the cost being hardly one- fourth of glasi= ; next, breakage, if any accident happens to the calico, a needle and thread, and the composition repair the damage. Next, the light — the shades require no watching ; no matter how intense the heat of the sun, the plants are never stricken down, burnt or faded, and therefore never checked in their growth ; nor do they grow up long, sick and weakly, as they would under glass, and still there is an abundance r I light ; next the heat — the heat arising entirely from below, and being less in- fluenced by the sun than when glass is made use of, is equable and temperate; which, in our variable climate, is a great object. The vapor passing, arising from the manure and earth is condens- ed by the cool air passing over the shade, and hang in dew drops on the inside of the calico. I gave the experiment a " fair trial," in the fullest sense of the term, having laid down both calico and glass, with the same manure and heating, the tame seed, and under the same aspect — southwest ; and the result was, that the plants raised under the calico were stronger and healthier than those under the glass. The calico shades were always in advance of the college hot beds, which were under the care of a professed gardener, as, also, of all the other gardeners in the neighborhood If the frames or stretches are made large, they ought to be inter sected with cross-bars about a foot square, to support the calico, and thus less liable to injury. * Throughout the frost of the last three weeks, the heat of the beds under the shades has not been checked for an instant: 38 the agriculturist's guide. VEGETABLES. Set apart from a quarter to half an acre of good, strong land, for rutabaga and other roots. If you have a fat spot in your pasture grounds, or a lap of new soil, throw a fence around it, and plant it in roots. If you can yard your sheep thereon for a few weeks previous to plowing, you will find its productive powers greatly increased. Beans with Corn. — We are decidedly averse to mixed hus- bandry, as a general thing ; but a few beans, dropped by the side of a hill of corn, not in it, are, we think, no injury to the stand- ard crop. To forward the Growth of Vegetables. — Whether cucumbers, melons, &c, take a turnip, scoop out the inside, and fill the cavity with rich and fine earth ; sow the seeds, and place them in a warm part of the house. They will soon vegetate, and by the' time the fear of frost has passed, may be set abroad in the open ground — the turnip offering no disturbance, but affording nutri- ment on its decomposition. Tomatoes. — If you are desirous of obtaining a good crop of this most excellent and salutary fruit, start the seeds in a hotbed, in the month of March, and transplant as soon as the plants have attained the height of two or three inches, into" a warm, moist soil — the plants three feet and a half apart each way. As soon as they commence " branching," erect a cheap trellis as a means of protecting the fruit from falling and becoming injured by the contamination of contact with soil. A very efficient trellis, for this purpose, and one that will answer all the purposes of the more expensive kinds, is made simply by inserting a few strong, upright stakes in the ground, and crossing them at proper inter- vals with common laths or " edgings" from the sawmill, or with any strips or boards, or even straight saplings, sufficiently large and stiff to support the plants, and prevent their being detached and broken by the winds and rains. The tomato is now happily found in most of our gardens, is justly esteemed for its excellent culinary properties, and the salutary influences which, as a richly medicinal plant, it exercises over the general health when liberally used as an article of human food. Keeping Pumpkins. — Pumpkins, for stock, are best kept in a dry loft, with the flooring quite open, so as to allow air to circu- late as freely as possible among them. Were it not that they take so much room, we should prefer storing them in a single r,ier ; but usually, for want of this, when a large crop is to be secured, they must be piled upon each other. In this case we would recommend their not being placed more than three or four THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 39 deep. If piled together in too large heaps, they gather moisture, and rot rapidly. When frozen, they may be preserved a long time ; but they should be cooked before giving them to stock, otherwise they may do them great injury. On the whole, we prefer feeding our pumpkins as fast as possible after ripening, and before the cold weather sets in. They are of a cold, watery nature, and unless cooked, we doubt whether they are near as beneficial to animals in frosty 'weather as they are in milder, or, indeed, any kind of fruit or root, though stock of good breed usually do well upon them. Horse Radish may be kept during winter, by grating it while green, and corking up in bottles filled with strong vinegar, set in a cool place. Onions. — Most gardeners now prefer sowing their onion seed in the fall. September is the month most commonly selected for this purpose, but an inconsiderable inconvenience not unfrequently attends the adoption of this practice. Many prefer sowing in October or November. The onion being a hardy production is in no way liable to injury from cold or frost. Preserving Cabbages. — There are several good 'ways of keep- ing cabbages during winter, by burying them out of doors. The difficulty is, it is hard to get at them during winter, without damage to those left. The following plan appears to avoid this difficulty. Cut the head from the stump, and pack closely in a cask, taking care to fill up all the vacancies with chaff or bran, and keep in a dry cellar. POTATOES. Time to Plant Potatoes. — As many experiments as have been made, and as much as has been thought, said, and written on the disease of potatoes, none, I believe, have arrived at a very satisfactory conclusion as to its cause, or have discovered an efficient remedy for its prevention. I have thought the bet- ter reason for the premature rotting of the potatoes was., that at the time the blight overtook them, they were not sufficiently grown and perfected to keep ; and for two years I have followed the method of planting as early in April as the nature of the ground, and the forwardness of the season, will permit. The yield has been (compared with my neighbors who planted later) very abundant. Try it. A Method of Cultivating Potatoes. — First, furrow the field both ways, and then plant in the cheek or cross of the two fur- rows ; cover them lightly, yet deep enough to have them vege- tate quick. As soon as the sprouts begin to crack the ground, go into the field, and from the cart put a shovelful of coarse manure 40 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. on top of the hill ; then plow between, turning the furrows to- gether, and covering the manure. Always follow with a hoe, and see that the manure is well covered. As the rows run both ways, when it is time to hoe, plow contrary from the first time, and very little labor is required to hill sufficiently, and keep the weeds down. The manure is as safe in this manner, as it is heaped up in the yard or field to wait the fall crop. It is not exposed to the sun, nor is it as likely to heat and throw off the ammonia, and other properties essential to vegetation, as it would be in larger quantities of heaps. In digging the potatoes, and plowing again for the grain crop, the manure is completely mixed with the earth. I go heart and hand for putting all ma- nure into the earth as soon as it can be got from the farm, whether coarse or fine, especially in the spring of the year, instead of heaping it up to rot and waste through the summer. GRASSES. In Great Britain there are forty-seven kinds of grasses culti- vated Amid so many varieties there must be some adapted to every soil, and to almost every modification of climate a country presents. In this country especially, where there is so great a diversity of soil and climate, the introduction of new and mere valuable varieties is much to be desired. Our improvements, in other respects, have bepn great, but in this department of the art they have been by no means so markedly distinguished as we could desire. •rniitii Bald Wjnit. Wn[,, R» tub Buun Whmt. THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 41 This is one of the most important and most generally culti- vated of the o '.real grains (or grasses as they are botanically termed), though both rice and maize or Indian com contribute to the support of a larger population. It is found in every latitude, excepting those which approach too nearly to the pole* or equa- tor ; bat" it can be profitably raised, only within such as are strictly denominated temperate. Linnaeus describes but six varie- ties, yet later botanis^enumerate about thirty, while of the sub- varieties, there are Several hundred. ,fy Fig. 1. Oat. Fig. 2. Indian Corn. Fig. 1. The average yield on good soils, is from 30 to 40 bushels per acre, and on the richest, when well cultivated, it has exceeded 120 bushels. It is exposed to fewer injuries than other grain, being seldom affected by rust, smut, or insects. The wire worm is most destructive to it, especially when sown on fresh sod. The most effectual mode of extirpating these and' other troublesome insects, is to turn the sod over, late in the fall, just before the severe winter frosts. They thus become chilled, and incapable of seeking a safe retreat from their fatal effects. If not plowed at the time it should be done immediately before sowing in spring, when, by turning them into the bottom of the furrow. 42 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. they cannot find their way to the surface in time to injure the plant seriously before it gets beyond the reach of their attacks. Fig. 2. The census return for 1840, gave 387,000,000 bushels; and for 1843, the estimate of the whole product of Indian corn in this country was over 400,000,000 bushels. Nearly all the beef and pork of the" vast and fertile west, and much in the north and south is made from it. Fig. 1. Buck-wheat, or beech-wheat, {Polygonum, fagopyrum) is a grain much cultiuated in this country. It grows freely on light soils, but yields a remunerating crop only on those which are fertile. Fresh manure is particu- larly injurious to this grain. Sandy loams are its favor- ite soils, especially such as have lain long in pasture, and these should be well plowed and harrowed. It may be sown from the 1st of May to the 10th of August ; but in the northern states, this ought to be done as early as June or July, or it may be in- jured by early frosts, which are fatal to it. It is sown broadcast, at the rate of three to six pecks per acre, and harvested when the earliest seed is fully ripe. Fig. 2. Barley is a grain of extensive cultivation and great value. Like wheat and rye, it is both a winter and spring grain, though in this country, it is almost universally sown in the spring. There are six varieties, differing in no essential points, and all originating from the same source. — R. L. Allen. Buck-wheat. Fig. 2. Barley. HAYING. A Rule for Mowers. — 1st. The scythe should hang natural and easy, and it should be kept in first rate- order. 2d. As you approach the standing grass let the heel of the scythe move to the very point of commencement,,, and let it stop the instant it has done its work. Thus there is nothing -lost by a backward and forward swing. If the grass stands up so as to admit of movino- on, measure with your eye the utmost capacity forward of your scythe ; take a quick, easy gait, moving your right foot well up towards the standing grass, and your body with it, though lean- THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 48 irig back by bending the knees a little forward, so as to bring your whole weight to bear upon the scythe without twisting the body from right to left, as many do ; thus giving ease to each clip, and ability to repeat in an advanced position without fatigue. Snath and Scythe. This implement, with a horse, a man, and boy, will rake from 1 fifteen to twenty acres 5t per day. It can be , used to good advan- tage even on quite rough ground. Revolving Hay-Rake. A Method of Stacking. — Stack the green grass or clover in layers, with straw and old dry hay, sprinkling salt on each green layer. The juices drawn from the grass by the salt will be ab- sorbed by the straw or old hay, and not only the damp hay or grass will be more nutritive, but the straw itself may thus be brought towards the state of the green stalk by the salt which il absorbs, and by which it is gradually softened, and thus made soluble and digestible. The proportion, though various, accord- ing to the dampness of the grass, will be about in this ratio : Good upland grass, cut in dry weather, contains about two-thirds of its weight of water, or two tons in three, and one ton of straw will absorb three tons of water ; but as it is not wanted wet, we may 44 THE AGRICULTUKIST S GUIDE. allow four tons to one ton of straw ; and if the grass, by aid of the salt, gives out half of its juice, we shall then have the whole soft and damp, without being disposed to drop or leak. If old hay is used in place of straw, one-third or one-half may be enough, as this absorbs less. For meadow grass, or green fodder, cut damp, the straw or old hay may be increased in proportion. If the hay is partly dried, none perhaps may be needed. The best proportion of salt must be decided by trial. One pound per cwt. may be too little for fresh grass. Two pound per cwt., or about one-half bushel to the ton, is thought to be not more than the cattle would relish, and which is more likely to preserve the whole in a sweet and digestible state. For half-dried hay one pound per cwt. may be enough. Bran is said to be a good substitute for straw or old hay. The only difficulty would be its liability to ferment and heat. Hand Corn-Sheller. machine. is a kind of sheller much used, and is a very efficient hand GRAIN. Winter Rye. — The general persuasion among farmers seems now to be that the most proper time to sow their grain is in August. Formerly the practice with most was, to defer it till September or October, giving the plants just sufficient time to era- dicate before the closing of the ground ; but experience has taught THE IGRIOULTURIST S GUIDE. 45 8 b<« *SS^ . e« J= S g 0> O » SB . «s.s °- a P o o ' -iS ID 1 .O^ c § 2 2° ° « g-s .a o ^ .2 «g * .2 J «J | £ to £ -a " -9-H a | jg T 1 a B « u .B O B! 3 >. -a s°°" •= -2 .s -a jB ' j 2 > m = B P «» 0) « ^ .2 3 - " !^ > •- 5 ~ ° 2 S ° S -° « > S 2 £• 2 £ .b w b n S .a C O " w m <; ■— 1 £■' a ffq g &« CD a re 3 I*. 3 CD 93 3 r^ CD cr en f/» CD t/i O a T3 *^ a' a' CD CD rt- O y. If 5» a H *< 3 ^ S-! the sides, in such a manner as to humor the instinct of the hen for concealment when she resorts to them. When desirable to set the hen, these nests may be so placed as to shut out the others, ,yet open into another yard or bsyond the enclosure, so that Ihey can take an occasional stroll and help themselves to food/&c. This nrevents other hens laving in their nests, while setting; and 56 the agriculturist's guide. it may be easily managed, by having their boxes placed on the wall of the building, with a moveable door to open on either side at pleasure. Hens will lay equally well without a nest-egg, but when broken up, they ramble oft' and form new nests, if they are not confined. They will -lay if kept from the cock, but it is doubt- ful if they will thus yield as many eggs. Hens disposed to set at improper times, should be dismissed from the common yard, so as to be out of reach of the nests,. and plentifully fed till weaned from this inclination. — Allen. Fattening Poultry. — It is asserted int he " Transactions of the Society of Arts," that there is a great advantage in fattening geese, turkeys, and in short, fowls of every description, on pota- toes mixed with meal. On this diet they are said to fatten in less than one-half the time ordinarily required to bring them to the -same condition of " excellence," on any kind of corn, or even on meal itself. The potatoes must be boiled and mashed fine while they are hot, and the meal added, just before the food is to be pre- sented. A Method of Keeping Eggs.— We have seen many receipts for preserving eggs, and have tried several without success. They have been saved in good condition a year or more, in lime water; but this requires much skill, as the lime water may be too weak or too strong, there being a vast difference in the quality of lime. These nice chemical preparations may answer for those who are doing business on a large scale, but for common domestic purposes they will not answer. We put down some eggs in plaster of Paris last July, (1844,) in a close vessel. First, a layer of plaster, then a layer of eggs, not allowing one egg to touch an- other. On top we put a few inches of plaster,, then covered the vessel up closely. The eggs were fresh, being put down as fast as they were laid, or within three or four days. They were placed with the small end downward, and put in a dry cellar. In another vessel we put down some at the same time, and in the same manner, with fine salt. Eggs from both lots have been tried every month from January; the last trial was on the first of this month, (June, 1845,) when the eggs had been; put down nearly eleven months. They have all proved to be perfectly sweet and pure; and at the last trial, the white, in a raw state, had its natural taste, and those saved in salt had no perceptible taste of salt. The egos looked when broken, like recently laid eggs, ac- cepting for the last three months. In those saved in salt, the yolk adhered to the shell; on this account, and as salt is liable to melt in a cellar, we prefer the plaster. Eggs in the Winter. — The reason hens do not usually lay eggs in the winter is that the gravel is covered up with snow, and THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 57 therefore they are not furnished with lime to form the shells. If the bones left of meat, poultry, &c, are pounded and mixed with their food, or given to them alone, they will eat them very eagerly and will lay eggs the same as in summer. Hens fed on oats are much more likely to lay well than those fed on corn. BEES. m Wl MmSUSMML m Prom Minor's Bee-Keeper's Manual No depjjh'tment of agriculture seems so much neglected at the f. resent time as this ; whilst the same amount of capital invested in any other branch yields less. Notwithstanding the -large im- portations of honey and wax, at only twenty and fifteeii per cent, duties respectively, the domestic supply commands a high price, ready sale, and fair profits. It appears that more than 628,000 lbs. of wax alone are annually produced in this country. Were there even no protection on the former, the foreign article would then be obtained at a rate that would enable the bee-keeper to feed it out in his apiary after the foregoing season was over, and 58 the agricultubist's guide. realize a great advance for the honey and comb. Success in the management of bees depends chiefly on a correct knowledge of their habits and instincts, thereby enabling the keeper to control them almost at will ; and also on strict attention to their require- ments, rendering them healthy, contented, and industrious. Four leading points essential to profit are yet but imperfectly practised or understood, viz ; to obtain pure honey uniformly free from brood comb ; to produce artificial swarms ; to prevent robbing ; and lastly, to prevent the ravages of the bee-moth. Most, if not all the pure honey is obtained by placing small boxes or drawers in the upper part of the hive, in which the bees will work when no room is allowed them elsewhere : but even in these, though equally unnatural to her, the queen will sometimes lay eggs. It is their instinct to work not only downwards, but beneath, and in continuation of old stock. They will, however, build readily in side boxes, but here the queen is almost sure to interfere. To ob- viate this, I have inserted small bars across the entrance to the lateral drawers, with interspaces to admit the working bees, while they arrest the queen and drones. This idea was suggested by an experiment made by Huber for a very different purpose. The least possible space through which the largest workers could pass, laden with honey and pollen, was ascertained by experiments at the entrance to the hives. The aperture allowed is a fraction less than three-sixteenths of an inch, being less than the diameter of the 'small cells — for which I shall claim no patent. Artificial swarming, particularly in such seasons as the past, when bees very generally refused to swarm, has many advantages to commend it. I believe only one swarm came out in this town before the first of August, after which they are worthless. While my neighbors were in daily expectation of swarrns in the usual way, with their drawers closed till too late to obtain much honey, I had three stock-hives arranged over empty hives, and the bee busily at work. On the 12th of June a young brood was discov- ered in one of the bee-hives, then two-thirds filled with bee and combs ; the old hives were at once removed to another stand, still placed over a second hive, or box, and then shut up toft twenty- four hours. A cover was secured upon the other, anxRhe bees confined thirty-six hours. New comb was rapidly formed in the second under box, and the old one was again removed in like manner. On the 4th of July the old swarm was driven into- a third -box, leaving 50 lbs. of honey. A drought soon checked the usual supply of moisture, so that the second and the transferred swarms required feeding for their winter store. I divided a se- cond stock the 25th of July ; but being in doubt if the lower hive contained any brood comb, I immediately expelled the bees from THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 59 the stock hive into an empty one, using 1epid water in order not to injure the young bees, which it contained in abundance. This brood-comb being in a large old fashioned hive, was cut down to 12 inches square, (the size of new ones,) and arranged in two of these. One was set ever the transferred swarm, which immedi- ately ascended, and having a queen, took quiet possession. After twenty-four hours they were allowed to roam abroad, returning to their new home, ten feet from their former stand. The other box, containing the old comb, was placed over the bees at the old stand, and a communication opened. They reared a queen in due time, as did also the two that had been separated from the first stock- hive, the cells of which were distinctly seen in each. Remedy for the Stings of Bees. — The stings of bees are some - times, though not often attended with danger. .A person should never undertake to handle bees, who is in a high perspiration^ The poison which the bee infuses into the wound, causes an in- flammation, attended with swelling, which continues for several days. There are many remedies prescribed ; among them, the writer has tried washing. with the tincture of lobelia — clay-mud applied instantly to the wound — also, sliced onions. Whiting wet with cold water, is said to make a good application. Keeping the part wet with cold water would be good. It should ever be remembered that gentle treatment does not irritate bees, and when not irritated they have no disposition to ■ use their stings. Bees Preserved from Moths. — To prevent the moth laying its eggs under the hives, I have for the last several years cut a mor- tice in the bench about an inch deep, and about two inches larger than the hive ; and the hive is then set in this mortice, and the space of about one inch all round it is filled with mortar, then three-inch augur-holes are bored in the hive about two inches from the bench, for the egress and ingress of the bees, and a small augur-hole through the bottom of the bench to let off water should any get under the hive. I have near night watched the moths attempting to enter through these hoies, and seen the bees chas- ing them«vay. ngtc w Good Fences. — The farmer who is obliged to leave his team or his labor, and travel to a distant field to drive out intruding cattle, loses much valuable time. Good fences protect and secure crops, and prevent the pain of seeing them carelessly wasted or destroy- ed. They prevent unkind feeling among neighbors, and not tin- frequently vexatious and expensive lawsuits. Good fences are an ornament to a farm. GO THE AGRICULTURISTS GUIDE. SWINE. The following figure is an excellent rei-rcsentation of the White Chester breed of hogs, considerably kn.iwn iu Delaware and some parts of the neighboring States. They are noted for large size, rapid growth, early maturity, and propensity to fatten: -they are also distinguished for symmetry and beauty of form. We know not how they will compare with many very fine varieties in other sections of the country. W) M z o ° A s c a wj ■« r n O O " S JQ *^ rf *t2 tj Qi nima erse ant nd, c mpo n is OS > U} « o a -^ a S a of othe animals om this y suasio of gre: 1, preve 1-3*^.8 | ?! ■=; -a "3 -3 a ~ o a <" •« H a a S -r „ i ; H known bstinate as a ho; ut little There , with U a o a o .a ij 3 «j .j: jh u £ **■• 8 ^ g >, o q a> rt <« ~ S Ji a ts «s «r +» tS-g : "a'S . ° a s *? § -a s iseases being and jj h thel very the he better .S3 -3 > SJ £ -a o 53 » " * £ ** rP .£ ^a «, .a; ijs ^ s 2 » u "5 o 2 S -a S 5? To Preserve Health. — In summer, keep hosrs in a cool, airy situation, and do not make them extremely fat in hot weather. Allow no carrion or filth, with noxious effluvia, to remain near 1 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 61 them. If confined, give them green food, such as grass, weeds, and other herbage, and occasionally raw roots. Give them pure water to drink, and, if possible, a supply to wallow in. Wash ihem now and then in buttermilk, and if they are very dirty, wash them in soap suds, and then in buttermilk. This will keep their skin clean, soft, loose, and add greatly to their health and thrift. In cold weather, give them a dry, warm shelter, well ventilat- ed in moderate weather, and a good, soft, warm bed, and renew the litter occasionally. Cobbett says, give your hog a bed in Which you could pass a night comfortably yourself , give pure water, and generally warm food, and occasionally green food, such "as raw roots, cabbage leaves, raw apples, &c. At all seasons, when hogs are confined, give, in addition to the above, pure earth, charcoal, and occasionally rotten wood, for an absorbent. Give a suitable quantity of salt, and now and then a small dose of sulphur and antimony, and a little tar, and let them have access to alkalies, such as wood-ashes and lime. If not sup- plied with condiments here named, urine, given occasionally, in swill, will be beneficial. And though we name it last, it should be first, as it is the most important. Keep the issues open. Issues. — Hogs have no insensible perspiration of the whole body, like the horse, ox, and many animals. But they have issues on the inside of their fore legs, just below the knee, which are porous, like the top of a pepper-box.^K'hese serve to drain off the superabundant fluids and humorslBthe body. Sometimes, from their being much in the mud ancffilth, or from a diseased state of the system, the pores in these issues become obstructed, and the animals fail, appearing as though they were foundered. Remedy. — Take a cob, or other rough substance, and with soap suds rub open, and wash the issues. Swellings.- — To scatter swellings, take two quarts of whiskey, or other proof spirits ; warm it over coals, but not to blaze ; and dissolve in it a pint of soft soap. When cool, put it into a bottle, and add one ounce of camphor. Kuptifces. — In this case, a hole is broken in the rim of the belly, where a part of the guts come out, and lodge between the belly and the skin, giving an appearance similar to a swelling in the testicles. Male pigs are most liable to this disorder. Geld the pig ihus affected, if it has not been done, and cause him to be held up, with the head downward ; flay back the skin from the swelled place, and from the situation of the pig, the guts will return to their place. Sew up the place with a needle, which should be crooked, to work between the hind legs. Then re- place the skin and sew it up. Apply a little lard or mild salvf 62 the agriculturist's guide externally, to keep the parts soft, and feed lightly for a few days. Giving Drenches. — Do not give drenches to hogs while they are hung up squealing, with a rope in their mouths ; for in this position and condition, the drench will generally go down the wrong way, and choke them. But give the medicine in milk, d they will take it ; if not, let them fast awhile, and try them again. Medicines may be given in the form of a clyster. This is safe and effectual. A General Medicine. — The Am. Farmer says, when hogs are sick, and you know not what ails them, nor what to do for them, give them ears of corn, first dipped in tar, and then rolled in sul- phur. Ten to one it will cure in common cases of disease. In addition, we would recommend opening the issues, if they need this operation, and giving a few ashes and some charcoal. Disorder in Hogs. — In hot weather, hogs are sometimes at- tacked with a lameness in their hind legs, so that they can hardly move. Owing to high feed, such as corn and barley meal, with- out fermentation, inflammation ensues, and the. issues of theii legs become closed, which open. Give green food, pure air,, and water. Fever. — Bleed in the tail; give, twice or thrice a day, water wherein pepper and parsnip roots have been boiled. Mild physic is also good. Feed lightly. Swine Pox. — Pound a&punce of saltpetre, and dissolve it in a pint of cider ; add half |Bint of sweet oil, and a table spoonful of honey, and give it luJRvarm. Catarrh. — Two ounces coriander seed, one of ginger, three of honey, and half an ounce of tumeric ; powder fine, and boil in three quarts of new milk, and give. Measles is caused by carrying the fattening process too far, or too rapidly, by sudden change from poor keep to rich food. It is mostly in the throat, which is internally filled with small pustules or tumors. Remedy. — Give, twice a week, to each animal, crude antimony, finely powdered, as much at a dose as will lay on a shilling piece. Another. — A small quantity of sulphur given occasionally to swine, is good for their general health, and prevents the measles ; it has a curative effect also, and will succeed with good manage- ment. — Cole. Swelled Throats of Hogs. — We have seen it slated that flour of sulphur, administered periodically, in the messes of hogs, was an excellent preventive of this disease ; and from its cooling and iperient character, we have no doubt it would be found effica THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. 63 cious ; for we take it for granted that the disease arises from ob- struction in the glands of the throat, which probably springs from surfeit, a cold, or the impurity of the blood. Farmers lose much by neglecting their pigs. They are too often kept in dirty pens, in and out of the way places, under the eaves of barns, and with the only bathing-place in summer a repulsive mud hole. And beinglreated as an altogether degraded animal, they soon become so ; and who would not ? Instead of this, give them clean, comfortable, and dignified quarters, and they become quite respectable. A pig does not plunge into a pool of muddy water, because he has any fancy for being dirty ; but a cool bath, in hot weather, is quite essential to his comfort, and have it he will at whatever cost. If mud is mixed with it, that is not his look out. Keep a pig clean, or, in other words, do not compel him to live in dirt, and he wilL get fat all the faster for it. Pork Making. — Making pork is one of the most essential inte- rests of the farmer, and may be made one of the most profitable, We question, however, whether, as generally conducted, muck money is made by feeding swine, and the reasons are sufficiently plain. In the first place, but little attention, if any, is paid to the kind of hog used for feeding. It is enough, if the animal caught and caged in a pen is a hog. The fact that a given quan- tity of food fed to some breeds, will make nearly or quite as much again pork as when fed to some other breeds, is over- looked : an astonishing quantity of roots and grain is thus annu- ally wasted. In the second place, the mode of feeding is very defective. The food may be good, but if given to the hog unpre- pared or uncooked, much of its efficiency is lost. To feed hogs profitably, they should from the first be kept in a thriving state. Not half fattened at one time, and then allowed to fall away till they are miserably poor ; but kept constantly improving from the time they leave the sow until they are ready for slaughtering. It takes a much larger amount of food to raise an animal of any kind allowed to become poor, than to keep one constantly thriv- ing. Again, the time allotted to feeding is usually too limited. Good, firm, heavy pork, cannot be made, no matter what may be the feed used, short of three or four months. Hogs may be puffed out, and made to look pretty fair ; but their meat will not be hard and firm, and will be affected with the complaint called shrinking in the pot. Hogs fatten much faster in moderate wea- ther, than in severe ; and hence the process of fattening should commence as early as the food to be used can be had. After the process of feeding begins, see that they have enough. To sup- pose a squealing, ravening hog will fat, is a mistake, but unior tunately a common ons 64 the agriculturist's guide. Farmers, in general, miss a large part of the pronts that is made from feeding pork, by not paying attention to the making of manure from the swine. For corn, a variety of experiments has convinced us there is no manure that can be compared with that of the pig ; and the farmer who permits any of this to be wasted, or does not give the animal an opportunity of converting as much mold, vegetable matter, &c, into manure as can be done is a great loser in the end. Some able farmers have estimated that the manure made by a lot of pigs, where the proper mate- rials are provided, will fully pay the expense .of feeding ; but there is no doubt if they do not do this, they will, by fermenting the most enriching compost for crops, add essentially to the ulti- mate profits of the farmers. To make good pork, a hog should not be less than fifteen months old, kept constantly thriving, not having a yard as large as the farm or the highway, and be fed on good food not less than three months. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. A bushel of wheat weighs CO pounds. Beans " 63 " Peas " 64 I< Corn " 56 " Rye " 56 ;i Barley " 46 (C Oats " 30 (( Potatoes " 60 k Salt 70 (< Peaches " 33 (i Blue-grass seed weighs 14 poun Clover-seed " 60 " Hemp seed 44 " Timothy seed " 56 Castor-oil Beans " 56 " Apples, dried " 22 '• nds. Weights and Measures for Domestic Purposes, Wheat flour, one pound is quart. Indian meal, one pound two ounces is one quart. Butter, when soft, one pound is one quart. White Sugar, when powdered, one pound one ounce is 0118 quart. Best brown sugar, one pound two ounces is one quart THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 65 Liquids. Sixteen large table-spoonfuls are half a pint. Eight " " one gill. Four " " half gill. Twenty-five drops are equal to one tea-spoonful A common wine-glass to a half gill. A common tumbler to a half pint. SHEEP. 0,0)0 B- K. -» intelligence and wealth could bestow, and the consequence was soon manifest in their larger size, and the increased weight and uniformity in the fineness of their fleece; the last improvement being particularly evident, from the absence of the coar?<; wool, HO the agriculturist's guide. which in many cases infested the quarters ; and the jarr or hair, which frequently abounds on the flanks, legs, and thighs of the ori- ginal Merino. Mr. Gilbert, who was particularly familiar with them, says, " almost all the fleeces of the rams, from two years old and up- wards, weigh, (unwashed) from 12 to 13 lbs.; but the mean weight, taking the rams and the ewes together, has not quite attained to 8 lbs., after deducting the tags and the wool of the belly." The French pound is about one-twelfth heavier than the English! hut from the general custom of folding the sheep in France, feemng them in fallows, and wintering them in houses, the fleece becomes very dirty. The loss in washing (fit for manufacturing) is about CO per cent, so that the clean fleece of the ram will average about 6 lbs., and that of the whole flock, something under 4 lbs. The first importation of the Rambouillets to this country was in 1801, by M. Dellesert, of Paris, for M. Dupont, then in New York, and consisted of four choice rams, only one of which, Don Pedro, reached this country. He was used among the native ewes near Kingston, N. Y., for three years, and then transferred to Del- aware, where he effected great, improvement among the native flocks. The rams, though young, are the most promising animals of their breed, and when full grown, will weigh from 225 to 250 lbs. each. The sire of one was sold for $500. He sheared 23 lbs. of unwashed wool. The ewes measured after they were shorn, from 25 £ to 29 inches in height over the withers. The height of the tinder side of their bodies from the ground, was from 9£ to 12 inches, which is in the proportion of good American Merino sheep. Their weights varied, after shearing, from 124 to 153 lbs. Some of them were quite thin in flesh, the largest especially, which, if in fine condition with her fleece on, would weigh at least 200 lbs. The following is the weight of their fleeces unwashed. The scales used did not mark less than one quarter of a pound, which will account for the absence of odd ounces. No. 17 . " 27 . " 64 . " 71 . " 84 . " 87 . " 94 . It was the unbiassed opinion of several wool-dealers present, that the shearing above would yield at least 35 lbs. of cleansed wool, fitted for manufacturing without further loss, out of every 13 lbs. 15 tl 16 j It 14i tl 16i t( 164 It 17 tl STo. 100 . . 12| lbs " 109 . 17 •• " 110 . 17 " " 117 . 164 " " 118 . 154 " " 133 . 141 " " 195 . 13i " THE AGRICULTURIST S GCTIDE. 67 100 lbs. shorn. The fourteen ewes yielded 216 lbs. unwashed, which would be equivalent to 73 lbs. 1 oz. thoroughly cleansed, or an average of 5 lbs. 6 oz. per bead. One-third may be safely added to bring this up to clean tvashed. This would make the average, as wool-growers usually dispose of their fleeces, 7 lbs. 3 oz. per head, a yield totally unprecedented in this country. — Allen. •8s. *V>\ This cut shows a ewe, with lines indicating the usual method of sorting wool ; No. 1 indicating the refina or picklock ; 2 and 3, the second and third qualities. Shearing Sheep. — It is a good principle never to be too late ; yet there is a danger also of being too early in some things. In shearing sheep, many farmers consult their own convenience, without any apparent regard to the comfort of the animals, or indeed to their own pecuniary interest in the matter. If sheep are shorn too early, their sufferings are great, and by exposing them to the cold winds, and drenching storm, which, under our present system of flocking, is almost inevitable, many fearful diseases are engendered, to which animals, shorn at a later season, are rarely, if ever, exposed. We have generally adopted it as an invariable rule, never to shear until we have the clearest evidence that the weather will not prove sufficiently inclement to render 68 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. them uncomfortable in the pastures during the day time. Colds or chills are extremely injurious to sheep ; and avoidance of them must be our first care. Even should the weather prove warm and sunny for several days after shearing, the animals should be carefully sheltered during the night. Their food, also, should be of an extra quality, especially if the weather be wet or cold. Calves with Sheep. — We have- often recommended the keep- ing of calves with sheep, as we have found' it an excellent plan, and highly approved of by others who have tried it. In this way there is less trouble, and the calves keep in fine condition upon the coarse part of the fodder which the sheep leave. In such cases calves are never afflicted with vermin ; and if any are on them before, they will soon disappear after the calves are among sheep. Sheep are usually provided with a good shelter in winter, and the calves will seek the warmest part of it in cold weather. This plan will not do for those who keep sheep without water in win- ter, unless the calves have extra attention in this respect. Balls of Wool in Lambs' Stomachs, — Lambs which are drop- ped in the winter, frequently exhibit a habit of chewing and swallowing locks of wool, which they pull from their mothers and other sheep. From this wool, balls are sometimes formed in in the Iamb's stomach, which sometimes occasion their death. This unatural habit of lambs seems to be caused by a desire to fill the stomach with some bully substance on which it may rumi- nate, or chew the cud ; and not finding its natural food for this .purpose, i't is induced to swallow the indigestible wool. The trouble would, no donbt, be prevented by giving the lambs suit- able hay with turnips or potatoes, and feeding the ewe with those, substances which would prevent the milk from having a costive tendency. We have frequently reared lambs in winter, but have been careful in providing suitable and abundant food, and never had them troubled with wool in the stomach. Hints about Food. — Roast meat contains nearly double the nourishment of boiled ; but boiled meat is better adapted to weak digestion. Frying is one of the very worst methods of dressing food, as boiling is one of the best. Baked meat has a strong flavor, is deprived of some of its nutritious qualities, and is dif- ficult of digestion. Spices, sauces, and melted butter should never be used by the invalid, and in health they are not required. For everything you buy or sell, let or hire, make an exact bar- gain at first, and be 'not put off to an hereafter. THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. HORSE? i as 3'X^OiO'^Mii- 3 o on g.|3C.M>- » 2 1 0*3 s 1 5 h3 >, 3 Z SS [4*2. f ?^3 - g,^ a 2 "5 E o3;«o=boo3 -sa 1 The above engraving represents the English cart horse, to which the highest prize of the Royal Agricultural Society was awarded in 1843. These horses are of a large size, distinguished for strength and endurance, and are well adapted to slow, heavy draught. Description of a Good Horse. — The head'should uofebe large, but rather light, and neatly, not abruptly, affixed to the neck ; the eyes bright, full, rather prominent, and set well apart ; horses with white, or wall-eyes, cannot see well, and are more liable to be skittish; eyelids thin and dry; the quirl high in the forehead; 70 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. ears thin, narrow, erect, of middling length, and not distant from each other : forehead flat, not too large or square, and run- ning nearly in a straight line to the muzzle ; nostrils capacious ; muzzle small and fine ; lips thin ; mouth tolerably deep ; the jaw- bones wide at top. The neck rather short and light, as the reverse, as well as a heavy head, induces stumbling ; it should not be gross and thick, nor large and deep, but rising strong and promptly from the shoulder and withers, and afterwards declining and tapering to the head, with a strong crest, and somewhat crowning at the top ; on the under part, the neck should be straight from the chest, and by no means convex. The shoulders capacious, of large extent, and spreading well back ; they should reach fairly to the top of the withers, which should be well raised, but not too high ; if the withers are low and flat on the top, the horse will be inclined to plunge and stu-m- Me ; the chest should be deep, rather broad and full. The body substantial, deep, and round, a cylinder being the best form for capacity ; round horses have the best wind, as then; lungs have full play, and they keep in the best condition, and require the least food ; the back a plane of good width, handsomely rounded ; back bone straight, or with a trifling inclination, and rather short : a very short back indicates strength, but not speed and action; loins wide, and the muscles of the reins full and swelling on each side the back bone, ribs well rounded out ; the hip bones thrown well forward, forming a strong loin, with a sufficient space be- tween the ribs and hip bones, which should be round ; the but- tocks deep and oval ; the rump level with, or not much elevated above, the' withers; the croup must have reasonable space, and not sink too suddenly, as that would set the tail too low, which ought to be nearly on a level with the back; the dock should be. strong, and well covered with hair. The hinder quarters should spread to a wider extent than the fore parts, and the hind feet stand further asunder than those be- fore ; the thighs should be straight, large, muscular, and of con- siderable length ; the hock wide and clean ; the shank not too long, but flat, and of sufficient substance, its sinew large and dis- tinct ; the fetlocks long; the hocks should form an angle of such an extent as to place the feet immediately under the flank. The fore arms, like the thighs, should be large, muscular, and of good length, the elbows not turning outwards ; the knees large aud lean ; the shank, or cannon bone, flat, strong, and not too long ; the tendon large ; the fore arm and shank must form nearly a straight line; fetlock joints large and clean; pasterns inclining fo a certain degree, not too long, but large in .proportion to their THE AGRICULTURISTS GUIDE. 71 length ; the coronary rings not thick or swelled, but' clean, dry, and hairy ; the feet neither too high nor too flat, and of size appa- rently of sufficient base for the weight they have to sustain : hoofs,, of color dark and shining, without seams or wrinkles, tough and strong, not hard like oak ;■ foot internally concave, sole hard, but not shrunk, heels wide and of middling height ; frog not too large or fleshy, but tough and sound; the feet of equal size, should stand exactly parallel, so that the front or toe incline neither in- wards nor outward ; the fore feet should stand perpendicular 10 the chest ; not too much under it, and they should be less -wide apart than the forearms ; the legs should not be loaded with hair. Choosing a Good Horse. — Besides regarding the most promi- nent marks of a good horse, there are many other things to be taken into consideration. Perfect feet are indispensable. A horse with bad feet is always unsafe ; he will trip, and is very liable to fall. Any tenderness or uneasiness about a horse's feet renders him unsafe. When a horse is offered for sale, the purchaser should ask one question, viz : — " Is he, in all respects, perfectly sound ?" Should a cheat be practised, damages could be recovered. View his feei. and legs ; large ridges on the hoofs, or very flat feet, discover a horse to be subject to founder ; large, gouty legs, with enlarged tendons, indicate strains and other injuries. Examine his hind legs with great attention, just below the hock, and inside the hind knee ; if there is any unnatural prominence, or knot, unlike the other knee, it wears the appearance of spavin, which renders a horse of but little value. Splent, which appears on the inside of the fore leg, and windgalls upon the ankles, are unpleasant to the eye, but seldom produce any other injury than stiffness as he ad- vances in years. Ride, yourself, for the purpose of trying his gaits and other qualities, as a rider accustomed to a horse by private signs, such as manner of riding, bearing on the bit, leaning forward -or back- ward, holding the heels close to the sides, &c, can make a dull horse appear gay and spirited ; a wild horse, gentle ; a stumblei, sure-footed ; one that is blind appear to see ; and a starting horse, free from that great objection, &c. Before mounting him, ex- amine his knees, to discover if 'they are skinned, the hair off, or scarred. These are strong symptoms of his politeness, to a fault. Ride with your bridle loose, over an uneven ground ; if he is in the habit of stumbling, he will very readily inform you. Then approach some object offensive to the sight ; if he appears much alarmed, you- may judge he has long been in the habit of that bad practice. Ride him in all his different gaits, to ascertain if they are smooth, easy, and agreeable. Move him about a mile, out and back, in fullv half speed ; frequently stopping him suddenly to try 72 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. his wind ; also if he is spavined. If his wind has been injured, he will blow unnaturally, making a loud wheezing noise, with great difficulty of breathing. When a horse is rode by any person for you to judge of his gaits, you should have him moved towards you, from you, and finally by you, that you may have the opportunity of discovering if there is any turning in or about his knees and ankles, before or behind. A well-shaped horse will track as true, or his legs will follow each other in as direct a line, as the wheels of a well-constructed car- riage. Hard steps, short going, and great apparent labor, is offen- sive to the sight, unpleasant to the rider, and fatiguing to the horse himself. The following judicious remarks on chosing a horse, are from Dr. Paul Jewett, of Rowley, who, some forty or fifty years ago, conferred an important favor on the public by valuble directions for managing stock and treating sick animals. " There is much pleasure and profit in the service of a good horse, and but very little of either in a bad one. - There are many mean horses that make a good appearance when taken from the hands of a jockey. In purchasing a horse, then, trust not too much to the seller's word ; let your own judgment, or that of a friend, be chiefly relied on. See that he has good feet and joints, and that he stands well on his legs. See that his fore teeth shut even; for many horses have their under jaw the shortest; these will grow poor at grass. See that his hair is short and fine, for this denotes a good horse. Observe his eyes, that they are clear, and free from blemishes , that he is not moon-eyed, or white-eyed ; for such are apt to start in the night. A large, hazel-colored eye is the best. " Take care that his wind is good ; let him be fed on good ha> for twenty-four hours ; take him then to water, and let him drink his fill, placing him with his head the lowest ; if then he will breathe free, there is no danger. See that his countenance is bright and cheerful. If his nostrils are broad, it is a sign that he is well-winded ; narrow nostrils, the contrary. " See that his spirits are good, yet gentle and easily governed. In travelling, mind that he lifts his feet neither too high nor too low ; that he does not interfere nor overreach, and that he carries his hin-e' legs the widest. Age from five to ten is the best. There are many tricks practised by jockeys, to make horses appear young. Horses' teeth, when young, are wide, white, and even ; the inside of their mouth is fleshy, and their lips hard and firm. On the contrary, the mouth of an old horse is lean above and be- low ; the lips are soft and easily turned up ; their teeth grow longer, narrower, and of a yellow color. THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 78 To Ascertain a, Horse's Age. — The age ot a horse is only de- terminable with precision by his teeth ; and that rule fails after a certain period, and is sometimes uncertain, even within that period. A horse has forty teeth — namely, twenty-four double teeth or grinders, four tushes or single teeth, and twelve front teeth or gatherers. Mares have no tushes, in, general. The mark which discovers the age is to be found in the front teeth, next the tushes. In a few weeks, with some, the foal's twelve fore teeth begin to shoot : these are short, round, white, and easily distinguishable from the adult or horse's teeth, with which they come afterwards to be mixed. At some period between two and three years old, the colt changes his teeth — that is to say, he sheds ,the four middle fore teeth, two above and two below, which are some time after replaced with horse's teeth. After three years old, two others are changed, one on each side the former ; he has then eight colt's and four horse's teeth. After four years old, he cuts four new teeth, one one each side those last replaced, and has, at that age, eight horse's and four foal's teeth. These last new teeth are slow growers, compared with the preceding ; they are the corner teeth, next the tushes, are called pincers, and are those which bear the mark : this mark consists in the tooth be- ing hollow, and in the cavity bearing a black spot, resembling the eye of a bean. The tushes may. then be felt. At four years and a half old, these teeth are just visible above the gum, and the cavity is very conspicuous. At five years old, the horse has shed his . remaining four colt's teeth, and his tushes appear. At six, his tushes are up, and appear white, small, and sharp, near about which is observable a small circle of young growing flesh; the horse's mouth is now complete, and the black mark has arrived at, or very near, the upper extremity of the corner teeth. At seven, the two middle teeth fill up. Between the seventh and eighth year, all the teeth are filled up, the black mark has van- ished, and the horse is then said to be aged, and his mouth full. From that time forward, the age of the horse can only be guessed at from certain indications ; but these guesses are usually made with considerable accuracy by experienced people. If his teeth shut close, and meet even, are tolerably white, not over long, and his gums appear plump, you may conclude he is not yet nine years old. At that age, and as he advances, his teeth be- come yellow and foul, and appear to lengthen, from the shrinking and receding of the gums. The tushes are blunt at nine ; but at ten years old, the cavaity or channel on the inside of the upper tushes, until that period to be felt by the finger, are entirely filled up. At eleven, the teeth will be very long, black, and foul, be' wilJ generally meet even ; at twelve, his upper-jaw teeth win 74 THE agriculturist's guide. overhang the nether ; at thirteen, and upwards, his tushes will be either worn to the stumps, or long, black, and foul, like those of an old boar. Beside those exhibited by the mouth, nature ever furnishes a variety of signals, denoting the approach of old age and decay throughout the bodies of all animals. After a horse has passed his prime, a hollowness of his tempies will be per- ceived ; his muscles will be continually losing something of their plumpness ; and his hair, that gloss and burnish which is the characteristic of youth and prime, will look dead, faded, or en- tirely lose its color in various parts. In proportion to the excess of these appearances, will be the horse's age. The following are among the devices practised by a set of un- feeling rascals, who have no other rule of conduct than their sup- posed interest to counterfeit the marks of age in horses. At four years old, they will frequently knock out the remaining colt's teeth, in order to make the horse appear five ; but you will be convinced of the fraud by the non-appearance of the tushes ; and if it be a mare, by a shortness and smallness of the corner teeth, and, indeed, of the teeth in general. To give an old horse the mark, is termed to bishop him, from the name of a noted* opera- tor. They burn a hole in each of the corner teeth,. and make the shell fine and thin, with some iron instrument, scraping all the teeth to make them white ; sometimes they even file them down short and even. — Cole, on Animals. Horses. — The great secret in making horses look well and do well, is attention to them. Men who are above looking to their horses will seldom ride good ones. Horses are subject to colds and fevers as really as men. They should, therefore, be used with great tenderness and washed in cold water. The pulse generally indicates the health of a horse. It may be felt about an inch back of the eye, and in health beats about thirty-five strokes in a minute. A horse should be carefully and faithfully curried every day. This is of more importance than is sometimes imagined. It opens the pores and preserves a healthful state of the skin, on which depends, as much as on almost anything else, the proper and healthy operation of the various animal functions. To Relieve Colic in Horses. — Rub spirits of turpentine on the breast of the horse, and if he be drenched with it also, he will be relieved. Horses should never be put to severe work on an empty stomach ; but more horses are hurt by hard driving after a full feed, than by a full feed after hard driving. Foundered Horses. — A founder is one of the most common diseases among horses, and a very painful one too. I will give to the public a very simple cure, and a certain one. I am well '"ire that about every person we meet with has a cure for 'his THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 75 Jisease, and that nine out of ten of the remedies prescribed are not worth the trouble of trying. My remedy is as follows : As Boon as you discover that your horse is foundered, bleed him freely in the* neck. Then, as soon as practicable, place him in water about belly deep. The colder the better. Let him stand in the water two-thirds of a day, or if badly foundered, longer. Stand- in cold water will effectually drive the founder from his feet and legs, and prevent its settling there. To persons acquainted with the philosophy of this disease, this remedy will appear perfectly plain. Remarks about Horses. — The remark is very often and very justly made, that the breed of horses has greatly degenerated within the last thirty years. The horse is not only the most use- ful of all animals, but the most expensive to keep. This no one will deny. Why then, we ask, do our farmers keep four or five ill-looking and lean-fed jades to do the work which one valuable horse might perform ? We are glad to find agricultural societies in many parts of the country turning their attention to this sub- ject. A little care in procuring and rearing this animal, and the consequent retrenchment of their numbers, would not' only greatly improve the breed, but lessen a large item in the expense of our farmers, without depriving them of any of the advantages which they now enjoy. The following remarks, we think, are worth the perusal of farmers generally : The pulse of a horse in health, is from 36 to 40 beats in a minute, and may be easily felt by prefixing the fingers gently upon the temporal artery, which is situated about an inch and a half backwards from the fore corner of the eye. Horses have not the faculty of vomiting, or even belching wind out of their stomachs, and therefore are peculiarly subject to the colic. When a horse has been over-ridden, bloody spots may be seen in the white of his eyes. A limber dock is a sure evidence of a limber back — that is, a weak one. A horse that is hardy and good for business, has a short back- bone, which terminates forward of the hip-bones. A decoction of white oak bark will kill bots by tanning them, and they become so shrivelled as to scarcely be discernable when discharged. The principal signs of a good horse are these : The eyes set far apart in the head, and large and bright ; the quirl high in the fore- head, one or two on the neck, is a good sign ; the neck well set on, and high ; the shoulder-blades pretty high, and converging to a point ; the breast full and large, and so also behind ; the body 76 the agriculturist's guide. round, for flat bodied or slabsided horses are weak-natured, the dock stiff, going wide behind ; for if the gambrils knock together, it shows that the horse is feeble. Chewing the- bit when pro- voked, is a good sign. Remedy for the Bots. — Having seen many horses die with the bots, and many remedies given without effect, I was induced by a merchant in Cambridge to try the following for a horse of my own, after I had tried most of the remedies in common use without effect, and had given him up for lost : Half pint of vin- egar, half pint soft soap, half 'pint gin, and half pint molasses, well shaken together, and poured down while foaming. To my great surprise, he was in five minutes wholly free from pain, and ate very freely. The next morning I was on my journey. 1 have since recommended and given the same in perhaps fifty cases, with the same good effect. Not in one instance has it failed to effect a perfect cure. Lock-jaw in Horses. — It is said that pouring water along the back from a watering-pot for a considerable time without inter- mission, will effect a cure. Cure for Ringbone, which has mostly succeeded when the disease has not been more than one or two years standing. Older cases are benefitted, but not cured, the disease being ar- rested in its progress. Put an ounce of turpentine in a strong black bottle, add, and very thoroughly mix, an ounce of oil of spike, then add on ounce of oil of vitriol, cork the bottle firmly, and shake it well before using. The application of oil of vitriol to pure turpentine, produces instant combustion ; hence the two oils must be well mixed first. Then bathe the diseased part daily for three days, or until moderately sore ; then suspend the bath- ing two or three days, and resume it. After two or three turns of this application, the caustic nature of the mixture will have gradually destroyed the vessels which secrete the ringbone, and prevent its increase. The mixture, when applied, should be driven into the skin by the cautious use of a hot iron. The sore, when thus made, is to be treated with lard or other application, like any other sore, till well. Cole. Don't begin to plow old ground till the furrow will crumble. Green sward is not so much injured by plowing when wet. Whenever yon give advice, be certain you have not made an nemy. THE AGRICULTURIST S GU.flE. 77 COWS AND OXEN. t: 03 ^ S a 7, » 3- B 3 £.§ (D B S & H «■ 2- cf - B g. p X a o> " a 5 5" p a, B GO £ ° a S 2,2. p - B o> o o d 2. B ^ en' CD a ^ ^ CD D- ^ ^ § s- i 1- i - S g b « B" ~ S » 2 • mi » S r era en 2 ^ 2 rt 2. ° 2 E 3 H S ?r S'S*S ■ is h- i Marks of a Good Milch Cow.^-John Brooks, Esq., of Prince- ton, who pays particular attention to raising cows, selecting such calves as have the best marks for this purpose, has favored us ■with the following description of a good, native, milch cow : " Head and face rather long ; muzzle small ; eyes prominent, bright, and mild ; forehead, between the horns, narrow ; wide between the eyes ; horns rather long, small, oval-shaped, and wax-colored ; smaller near the head than three or four inches 78 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. from it ; neck slim and flat, not approaching to round ; on Jeav ing the shoulders, the neck should fall a little below the line of the back ; straight on the back ; wide in the loin ; the outlines of the loin should be nearly parallel ; thigh should be thirlf hind legs straight and small, standing wide apart ; in walking, the cow should carry her hind legs straight forward, not sling them out, describing the segment of a circle ; fore leg, above the knee, should be rather large ; below the knee, small, approaching to round ; foot rather large than small, but round, and of a dark wax color; breast wide, brisket projecting well forward ; milk veins large ; deep in the flank ; large hind quarters, and small fore quarters ; bag, when empty, small and skinny, not fleshy, running well forward on to the belly ; teats middling size, neither large nor small, but rather long and elastic ; color of teats reddish brown, never white ; hair upon the bag soft, short, and silky, growing or pointing on the hind part upward, except if she be a very good cow, she may have an oval spot of hair growing down- ward, a little above each hind teat ; if not quite so good, one spot above the left hind teat ; if a little poorer still, onb spot above the right hind teat ; hair thick, short, and glossy ; color red, dun, or brindle, with a light, golden colored ring around the ey°s and muzzle." Marks of a Good Working Ox. — Mr. Asa G. Sheldon, of Wilmington, who has. great experience in cattle, particularly in working oxen, and is regarded as the best authority, gives the following : " Long head, broad and oval between the eyes ; the eye full, keen, and pleasant. Such marks denote ability to receive instruc- tion, and a readiness to obey. The short-faced ox starts quick at the whip, and soon forgets it. The black-eyed ox is inclined to run away. An ox with very large horns near the head is apt to be lazy, and he cannot endure heat well. " Forward legs straight ; toes straight forward ; hoof broad, not piked ; the distance short between the ankle and knee. These properties enable an ox to travel on pavements and hard ground. If the ox toes out, the strain comes on the inside claw, and when - travelling on a hard road, he will be lame at the joint between the hoof and the hair. When the toes turn out, the knees bend in. An ox with crooked knees is apt to become lame by holding heavy loads down hill. " Breast full ; straight on the back ; round ribs, projecting out as wide as trie hip-bones. These are indications of strength and a good constitution." To Ascertain the Age of Cattle. — By their Teeth. — The calf is usually born with two fore or cutting teeth, and at a month old THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 79 the whole eight are cut. The age is then guessed at by the wearing down of these teeth, until the calf is eight months old, when they begin to become narrower and smaller. At eight months the two centre teeth are smaller than the rest ; and from that time until eighteen months, the others gradually dimmish, until the whole are considerably lessened, and stand apart from each other. At two years old, the two middle teeth are pushed out, and suc- ceeded by two permanent ones ; at three, there are four perma- nent teeth ; six, at four years ; and all the eight at five, when the animal is said to be full-mouthed ; but he is not actually so until six years old, when all the eight are level. A good judge of cattle will generally determine the age with considerable accuracy for many years after that. From six to nine, he will be guided by the wearing down of the teeth ; and after that, by the diminution in their bulk, as in the milk teeth. At nine, the two middle fore teeth are evidently smaller and nar- rower than the rest ; at ten, the two next are so ; and so on until twelve, when, as in the steer of two years old, the teeth again begin to stand singularly apart from each other. By their Horns. — The surface of the horn continues nearly smooth until the expiration of the second year, when a wrinkle or circle of thicker horn begins to be formed around the base. This is fully completed in a twelvemonth, and another ring then begins to appear, so that if the perfect rings or circles are counted, and two added to them, the age of the beast is ascertained. These rings, however, are not always clear and distinct, and it is very easy to remove one or two of them with a rasp, at least to the unpractised eye, when the animal begins to be too old for the "market. In addition to this, a well-known fact should be stated, that if a heifer has a calf when about two years old, the first ring is formed about a twelvemonth before the usual time, and, consequently, she would always appear to be, reckoning by her horns, a year older than she really is. — Cole. To Destroy Warts on Cows' Teats.— Waits on the udder and teats of cows may be easily removed, simply by 'washing them in a solution of alum water. We have known this appli- cation to result favorably, even after all other prescription had failed, and the disease seemed to have advanced beyond the pos- sibility of cure. Try it. Simple and Effectual Remedy for Hove in Cattle. — Try the remedy of ah egg-shellful of tar, before you attempt the barba- rous practice of sticking. If two men hold the animal's head straight, a third, by moving the tongue to the right side, can easily put down ils throat egg-shell and tar, and in ten minutes 80 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. relief will usually take place ; but a second dose has never failed Cattle to be kept at a brisk walking pace through the yard, until relieved. The Cow. — Of all the beasts of the field, we respect the cow the most heartily. She is so meek, mild, and motherly withal, that we are half tempted to doff our beaver when we pass her. The ox is of no use unless he is in the yoke or beef-tub, and the horse must be continually cramming his maw with the best, or the crows are disputing your title to him. But the cow, gene- rous brute, is always willing to return your kindness with inter- est ; and though she may sometimes raise her heel, it is only a mute, but impressive way of telling you, that you are doing wrong. A friend could do no less than warn us of our errors, in the most effeectal way you know. The Egyptians worshipped the ox, and the children of Israel a calf, and thousands now-a- days bow to the materials of which said calf was made ; but if we were to turn Pagans ourselves, we would worship the cow. Swellings. — Swellings on oxen, cows, and other domestic ani- mals, may be easily "scattered" by using an ambrocation, com- posed of the following ingredients : One quart proof whiskey, and half a pound soft soap, and half an ounce of camphor. The soap is to be dissolved in the whiskey (or other proof spirit), and the camphor added after the mixture is poured into the bottle These articles, prepared in the manner above prescribed, form a liquid opodeldoc, with which every farmer should be supplied. Lameness in oxen, from swelling on the legs and neck, is quite frequent, especially at seasons when their assistance is of most consequence to the farmer, and when, consequently, he can but ill afford to permit of their laying still. Breaking Steers. — Not long since I saw a lad of some ten 01 twelve summers, driving a pair of spring calves, yoked to a little cart. (This was in autumn.) They were perfectly orderly, and did not appear to have suffered, even in their growth, from hav- ing been early trained to habits of obedience. " Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined," is true of animal nature generally, whether it be found in the shape of children, or of calves and colts. Try it, ye who have occasion. To Prevent Oxen Hauling Apart. — Some oxen have a very vexatious trick of hauling apart when in the yoke. As a preven- tive, place a small rope or line, (a cod line, for instance,) across from the horn of one ox to the horn of the other, thus bringing their heads in some degree together. The' line should be tied round the tips, which, if they have balls on, may be kept there very easily, and should be proportioned in length to the length of the yoke. If this simple remedy will obviate the trouble in THJ3 AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 8) all oxen addicted to this trick, It is worth knowing. If the ropt be tied around the tips instead of around the roots of the horns, they will have less purchase upon it, and smaller cord will answer the purpose. Watering Cattle. — An experiment is stated by Sinclair : A man was appointed to discover how often some cattle, consuming straw and chaff upon a farm, went to the watering-trough upon a short winter's day ; and that he might not be confused, a par- ticular bullock was pointed out for his observation. He found that it drank eight times in the course of the day, and the rest of the cattle appeared to drink as often. Hence, cattle should have access to water at all times, for they do not drink except it adds to their comfort ; and whatever diminishes an animal's comfort, wastes its flesh. Cole. SELF-ACTING CHEESE-PRESS For cheapness and sim- plicity of cons traction, strength, power, dura- bility, and the perfect manner in wl ich this implement does its work, we think it will eventu- ally supersede every other cheese-press in use. It is so constructed, that by means of two pair of double-acting hvers, the cheess presses itself by its own weight, and this in ten-fold jroportion. Thus, if a cheese weighs twenty pounds, it will exert a constant pressure on itself of two hundred pounds ; and whenever greater pressure is reauired. for e rerv pound added, a power of ; j; liu wis is gained. 82 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. HUBBAR.DSTON NONSUCH APPLE, M ^»fv^ ANALYSIS OF TKE AaH OF TKK APPLE.— Cole. Potash, Soda, Chloride of sodium Sulphate of lime, Phosphate of peroxide iron, . Phosphate of lime, Phosphate of magnesia, Carbonic acid, Lime, Magnesia, Silica, Soluble silica, Organic matter CoU. ap wood. 16.19 3.11 OM O.0S--J 80 1 17.50 0.20 29.10 18.63 8.40 0.85 0.80 4.60 100.S.-. Heart wood, 6.620 7.935 0.210 ■> 0.626 0.500 6.210 0.190 86.275 37.019 6.900 0.400 0.300 2.45|) 104 ,'„■!,-, Bark of the trunk 4.930 3.28S 0.540 0.637 0.375 2.425 44.830 61.578 0.150 0.200 0.400 a.iou' 1 1 1 Vii AGRICULTURE AS AN OCCUPATION. A sentiment has prevailed, and I fear yet prevails to an alarming extent, that the practical farmer occupies a place in society a grade lower than the professional man, the merchant, or than many other laborers. Many of. our youth have imbibed this sentiment, and have been encouraged in it by the fond but injudicious parent. Thus not a few who. might otherwise have been useful members, of society, have been thrown upon the world mere pests -m the community. I have certainly nowantipathies to the learned profes- sions, the mercantile business, or mechanical employments. These ' are all necessary and important ; but I insist that agriculture is neither less important, nor less honorable, nor less useful. God made man an agriculturist ; while in a state of innocence, his first business was to till the soil. And in every age of the world, some of the greatest and best men have been farmers. Job and Abraham were farmers. Washington was a farmer, as also a multitude of worthy names and noble spirits, who like them have blessed the world with great and honorable deeds. And I rejoice to know that many in our own time, of highly cultivated intellect, and enlarged views, and worldly competence, are proud to be ranked among practical farmers. Far better had it been for the world, had the number been ten-fold greater, Far better were it ii 'run ag:ik iri.TCKi.ir a gii;u;:. for tl e present generation, if in the choice of an employment, pa- rents and their sons would view the subject as those have done and let those sons be directed in their choice to the same wise result. Thus, much of the idleness and crime which are exerting such a fearful influence upon us, would never have existed. Many of the temptations to vice would have been avoided. EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN. To whom shall we look with confidence, and expect they will exert themselves in imbuing the minds of the rising generation with love for the knowledge which, when attained, will qualify them for the necessary and responsible part they are to act in this great agricultural republic. Where an ardent thirst is begotten in the minds of youth to become thoroughly prepared for an honora- ble and useful discharge of the active duties which make up the sum of a happy life, the great first step is taken toward the accomplishment of so glorious an end. We turn our attention to parents, the natural guardians of the young, possessing power to mould and fashion the tender mind, to lead and direct aright the early inclinations as they are first developed. To parents we appeal, assured that their influence will be exerted to lead the children under their care to contract an attachment to the employ- ment in which they are engaged. Let the son be thoroughly instructed in every branch of labor to be performed upon a farm, and in its management in general, and no doubt with proper oppor- tunities for instruction from suitable books, and well-regulated schools, he will fall in love with the science, smd delight in the practice of agriculture. In the successful prosecution of this highly honored pursuit, female effort and influence are indispensa- ble to lead to auspicious results. We may then appropriately appeal to mothers to teach their daughters to assist early in life in all the appropriate and important duties of the kitchen, so that they may thoroughly understand the practice thereof, as well as the parlor or drawing-room. Strive to give them an education, solid, useful, and practical, that shall fully prepare them to fill any appropriate and honored station to which they may be called. I am aware that some persons of near-sighted and contracted views, have expressed the opinion that the female mind ought to be occupied altogether in the contemplation of unreal things, of ideas that float in a feverish or excited imagination, and outward accomplishments, and be content to dwell upon the surface of Bubjects, without an attempt to dig deep in the mine of knowledge. THE AGRICULTURISTS GUI;K No one honored with tho title of mother can for a moment listen to any such suggestion, but will, I am sure, put forth their utmost exertion for the fullest expansion and enlargement of the intel- lectual and moral capabilities of their daughters as well as their PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE. The progress which agriculture has made within the last ten years is great, and an equal or greater advance in the ten that are to come may be reasonably anticipated. A single point or two may be touched upon as illustrative of our views. The vast extent of our country, its great diversity of soil and climate, open to us the position of domesticating almost every species of plant that is useful for food or for application to the arts. Increasing facilities of intercourse with foreign climes which have been comparatively shut out from us ; the spirit of enterprise which will prompt to the trial of acclimating new products (of this, at the present time, the experiment with respect to the tea plant is a decisive instance) ; the influx of emigration from Central Europe may be expected to increase, and with these, in some degree, will be in- troduced much practical knowledge of husbandry, as conducted abroad. This must be modified in its adaptation to this country, and yet it will unquestionably exercise its influence. Then no truth is more clear, that, when once opened to improvement, the beginning really made, the advance is rapid. Such is the case in our country, as regards agricultural science. The beginning has been made ; the door is open ; many eager aspirants are pressing on to share in the rewards that diligent attendance on the lessons will impart. The bare fact that our territory has been so extended, no doubt is adapted to produce unusual enterprise. The spirit of the people is in almost restless activity. Under this influence they are pouring forth to California, where the thirst for gold now impels them. For a time this may divert the labors of (she husbandman ; but the great spectacle of the world's progress has just begun. Revolutions are but the work of a moment now, and mind, active mind, is at work forging out its instruments, which, like the fabled thunderbolts of Jupiter, wrought by Vulcan, will yet fall with crushing force on whatever opposes the law of progress, by which the world is to be reno- vated. Agriculture is a more peaceful and silent cause in its operation, but the wrecks id ruins of the former world, covered witn mould, under her skilltu. hand will be clothed with verdure, golden harvest, and plenty for man and beast, ©od has given 8 80 THE AGRICULTURIST S G'uIDE. us all the elements in soil, climate, productions, and means of im- provement, and we need only but be true to ourselves, and our advance in every peaceful and happy portion of national progress can not but be rapid and glorious. Nations may feed from our stores, follow our example, and bless us as their truest benefactors. While the farmer holds the plow, the earth yields her increase, and knowledge is becoming more and more the birthright of all ; every sister art will flourish, and life be increasingly crowned with knowledge and comfort. PROFITABLE FARMING. -The question is often asked — " How can farming be made prof- itable ?" To answer this important question satisfactorily and with precision would necessarily involve little less than an entire review of our present system of farming, or, more properly, of the various systems now in vogue. The chief requisites, however, may all be enumerated in a very few words, viz., deep plowing, liberal manuring, and clean cul- tivation, for without proper attention to these important requisites, no individual can reasonably hope to be successful, or to derive much profit from the cultivation of the soil. One great obstacle in the way of the farmer is the fear of ex- pense ! The fact, so abundantly corroborated by the experience of many years, that the greater the outlay (within a reasonable limit) the greater the profit, seems not to be sufficiently appre- ciated ; for, while a few, taking advantage of this obvious natural law, have reaped " golden harvests," and received a-heavier ad- vance probably upon the capital invested, than the average annual profit derived from any other business, the great majority per- haps have failed to receive any thing like a fair remuneration. Nothing, indeed, can be more strikingly obvious than that the farmer who is so economical as to apply only from five to six cart-loads of manure to the acre, should, in the end, find Dame Nature equally as economical as himself. Wherever such a course is pursued, the operator invariably gets poorly paid for his labor, and hence the powerful prejudice which at present pervades so large a portion of the public mind against farming, and especially among those who are in the habit of, and are desirous of, realizing something more from their occupation than a bare return of the amount expended. The fact is one of importance, and should ■ever be borne in mind by the practical farmer, that from no item of expense is the nett profit derived by the careful and systematic THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE, 81 cultivator so ample, so certain, as that derived from his expendi- tures for manures. Instead, then, of the scanty manuring of only five cart-loads to the acre — which under the most favorable circum- stances can not yield a remunerating harvest — I would advise that the amount be quadrupled, or even increased six-fold ; the ground properly prepared for the reception of the seed, by deep and careful plowing, and the crop, whatever it may be, kept clear of weeds during the period of its growth. It has been truly remarked, that " the only true test of successful farming is, that each crop is better than its predecessor." As a general thing, agriculturists do not appear to be sufficiently im- ' pressed with the great and momentous importance of this fact ; for it is a lameniable truth, while there are a few farms in almost every section that are annually improving in condition and produc- tiveness, by far the greater part of our cultivated lands are as obviously deteriorating, or "running out." I can now point to many fields, once regarded, and with strict justice, as among the most valuable in the country, from which scarce a single crop of any description can be realized that will fully repay the cost of cultivation. Such a state of things is certainly not to be too seriously deprecated, as it is necessitated by no "natural law," and can therefore be attributed to no cause save habitual bad management — a willful and pertinacious neglect of the great prin- ciples, on the practical recognition and observance of which all truly successful farming must depend. Agriculture is an art, which is perfect in its results just precisely in proportion to the. amount of scientific and practical knowledge diffused among those by whom it is pursued ; and hence the condition of its agriculture is the true, and, indeed, the only infallible criterion by which we are enabled to decide with accuracy concerning the civilization of the land. : The study of agriculture as a science, and its pursuit as an employment," says a distinguished author, " I deem admira- bly calculated to produce individual happiness ; inasmuch as it leads the mind away from the turmoil and bustle of many other pursuits, and places a reliance on individual exertion, and the blessing of *• eaven." FARMERS' CALENDAR. It is an jrror to. plant seeds from states farther south. — In a cold season only the seed of a colder climate will ripen well. Often breaking up a surface keeps a soil in a good mechanical ondition ; for when it lies in a hard bound state, enriching show- 88 THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. ers run off, and the salubrious air can not enter. — Weeds exhaust the strength of the ground, and if suffered to grow, ma}' be called garden sins. — The hand and the hoe are the instruments for eradi- cating weeds ; yet if there is room between the rows for a spade, it is well to use it. — Never keep your cattle short; few farmers can afford it ; if you starve them, they will starve you. — It will not do to hoe a great field for a little crop, or to mow twenty acres for five loads of hay. — Enrich the land and it will pay you for it. — Better farm twenty acres well, than forty acres by halves. — Drive your business before you, and it will go easily. — In dry pastures dig for water on the brow of a hill ; springs are more frequently near the surface on a height than in a vale. — Rain is cash to a farmer. — The foot of the owner is the best manure for the farm. — Gut bushes that you wish to destroy in the summer, and with a sharp instrument; they will bleed freely and die. — Sow clover deep ; it secures it against the drought. — Never plough in bad weather, or when the ground is very wet. — When an implement is no longer wanted for the season, lay it carefully aside ; but let it be first well cleaned. — Obtain good seed, prepare your ground well, sow early, and pay very little attention to the moon. — Culti- vate your own heart aright ; remember that " whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." — Do not begin farming by build- ing an expensive house, nor erecting a spacious barn till you have something to store in it. — Good fences make good neighbors. — Experiments are highly commendable, but do not become an ha- bitual experimenter. The best fertilizer of any soil, is a spirit of industry, enterprise, and intelligence. HOEING CROPS. The chief or primary object in hoeing crops is to increase the quantity and improve the quality of the produee. To this end various means are adopted. A point of the first consequence is the eradication of weeds, and all plants excepting those which it is wished to cultivate. The necessity of destroying weeds arises from several causes : their growth interferes with, and injures the crop in various ways ; they exhaust the soil, more or less, of the elements which constitute the food of cultivated plants ; they espe- cially abstract the moisture of the soil, making a constant drain upon it in this respect, from the first moment of their existence. It is of great importance the weeds should be killed while they are young. If killed at this stage, the injury they occasion is comparatively trifling, and the expense incurred in the operation llll-: AGRICULTURIST S UilJt. 89 is but little compared with what would be required to effect the object when they are more fully grown. The brush of a hoe, or the scratch of a light harrow, will effectually kill a weed at the time it appears above ground, whereas the growth of a few weeks would give it such a hold on the soil, that it would withstand con- siderable force, and to eradicate it, would require ten times the labor which would have effected the object in the first instance. Besides, if weeds are allowed to reach a large size, their roots become more or less mingled and entwined with the roots t>f the cultivated plants, so that in pulling up the weeds, the crop is liable to be injured. Some people seem not to be aware of the serious injury which the introduction of pernicious plants is to the soil. Some of the rich "corn lands" of the Western States, have already suffered a great deterioration from this cause. The negligent and slovenly manner in which the corn is too frequently " tended," has filled the soil with every pest which will grow on it. The foul growth is in many cases suffered to increase every year, till there seems to be between the weeds and corn a great strife for the mastery ; and though the corn on some of the most fertile fields grows twelve or fifteen feet high, or more, it scarcely exceeds the weeds in height or strength, and judging from the liberal border around the fields, of which the weeds seem to havq gained full possession, and from their frequent appearance among the crop, the prospect seems fair for the" day being ultimately carried by them. Stirring the ground, to a certain extent, is beneficial to crops, aside from the effect of keeping down the weeds. By keeping the soil loose, the roots of plants more readily extend themselves ; the soil is rendered more permeable to the sun, by which a more con- genial temperature is gained for plants ; it facilitates the absorption of dews, which bring down ammonia and fertilizing elements from the atmosphere ; and it exposes the soil more to the action of the air, by which the decomposition and combination of the various elements of vegetable food are effected. The action of the oxygen of the atmosphere is thought to be particularly beneficial on clays, slaty and granitic soils. The combination of the oxygen with the iron, and its action on the other mineral elements, produce a disintegration of the stony materials, and leaves the soil more friable. The admission of oxygen into the soil may likewise be useful by its entering into combination with the carbon of the soil, and thus forming carbonic acid, the food of plants. On soils, especially those of a tenacious nature, a hard crust frequently forms, by which heat and air are much excluded. Some simple 90 THE agriculturist's guide. implement, as a harrow or cultivator, should be used with sufficient frequency to prevent the crust from forming. As the growth of plants increases, their roots are more widely extended, and it is not proper to use tools which will mutilate and destroy the roots. It is important that plants should be duly exposed to the influence of light and air. It is only under the influence of light that they ore able to digest their food. They take in carbonic acid and water, but by the aid of light they decompose the carbonic acid, giving off the oxygen, and retaining the carbon to form their tissues. This influence of light is quite surprising. If a plant is placed in a dark room, and a ray of light is admitted on one side, the ends of the branches are soon directed toward the light, and the plant seems to struggle to reach that part of the room where the light is strongest, and its influence the most direct. If a small tree be planted under or near a large one, or on the side of a forest, it soon begins to lean to the side nearest to the light, and will continue to grow in this direction, putting out but few or no branches on the side most affected by the shade of other trees These facts are cited to show the necessity of giving plants suffi- cient room. If they are crowded too thickly together, the sun i? too much excluded from the soil, and from the want of sufficient circulation of air, the plants are less healthy, being more subject to blight ; and the light is prevented from coming in contact with the stems and leaves in such a manner that the sap can be properly elaborated. Where plants stand so thick that the light strikes them mostly on the tops, they are drawn into slender stalks, hav- ing but little substance. But in cedar and pine forests, where it is sometimes desired that the trees, in order to make timber for certain purposes, may attain a great height in proportion to their circumference, a dense growth is an advantage. MANURE'S. Attend to your manure-hill — see that it is so arranged that its quality will neither be impaired by unnecessary exposure to the sun, through evaporation, nor by the waste from drenching rains. This being attended to, take especial care to add to its volume by every possible means within your power ; without economy in the accumulation of manure, a judicious husbanding of it after it is accumulated, and a judicious application of it afterward, the fertility of no farm can be maintained ; but by sedulous and sys» tematic attention in these particulars, the productive capacity of the soil may b« kept up. Let no one say he has not time to attend THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUI:;! - .. 01 to these things, as his interest and duty both indicate that that time thus appropriated is the most profitable of all others. The great facts respecting the operations of manures, it is believed, are now thoroughly established. The constituents of soil, of various grains and vegetables, have been determined, and the proportions, in many cases, may be considered fixed with all the precision of the deduc- tions of a science. The theory advocated by one or another may not be free to every mind from objections ; it. is certain, however, that certain substances when applied to the soil increase its fertility, and that the constituent elements of plants require aid to effect their full development. The great object in relation to manures now seems to be to bring as much efficacy as possible into the smallest conrmwss. Ammonia is admitted to exercise a great influence in production ; and to fix this so as to give its fertilizing power to the crop, is one of the ends proposed. In preparing and preserv- ing manures, as it has been said, the rational objects to be obtained are, first, to preserve and collect all matters containing the organic or inorganic constituents of the crops which we are about to raise ; and, secondly, if the matters so collected are in such a state as not to be immediately available as food for plants, to render them so by artificial means. In these latter cases fermentation is the great operation, and this may be either hastened or retarded, accordingly as care is or is not taken in the disposition and arrangement of the materials, and in adding the necessary substances as helps in the process. Various methods are proposed, according to circum- stances, to effect the object. Both science and practice have determined some general rules ; but exceptions, too, will exist, so that it need not be thought surprising if experience sometimes runs counter to the views of even the wisest in these subjects. No doubt, also, that in many cases, on closer scrutiny, it might be found that the conditions were not exactly similar ; and that, per- haps, failure may be the result of a deficiency, or an excess which has been overlooked, or considered too trifling to be taken into the account ; but, for all practical purposes, the case may be termed an exception. The opinion seems to be very generally entertained that the liquid manures, which have been too generally neglected, hold a very important place in means of enriching the soil, which are at the command of the husbandman. The principle is univer- sally maintained that all manures must be in a soluble or decom- posed state, in order to act either proximately or indirectly on the plant or soil. Though applied in a solid condition, yet by moisture, etc., it must be made to give out its fertilizing properties, or it is in vain to look for success from its use. Professor Liebig, who is considered one of the ablest writers of the present day on the action of manures on plants, it is stated, " has discovered certain compounds, etc., which are of such a nature that different states of moisture in the atmosphere, or different localities, will not diminish their efficacy." In his pamphlet, he declares : " I have found means to give to every soluble ingredient of manure, by its combination with others, any degree of solubility, without altering its effect on vegetation. I give for instance the alkalies in such a state as not to be more soluble than gypsum." "The reason why, in certain years, the best and most plentiful manuring is scarcely perceptible is, that during the moist and rainy springs and summers the phosphates, and other salts with alkalino bases, as also the soluble ammoniacal salts, are entirely or partly removed. A great amount of rain or moisture removes m the greatest quantity the very substances which are most indispensable to the plants at the time that they begin to form and mature seeds." Lime. — The value of lime as a manure may be summed up in a few words. It is one of the four primitive earths which enter into the composition of soils, and is necessary for their proper texture. It constitutes also a very important ingredient in the organs of most plants, and is generally found in them in a chemical analysis. In its caustic state, that is, when it is newly burned and slaked, it has the capacity of decomposing vegetable matter, of acting powerfully on all inert substances, and changing them into proper aliments for the crop. But even after it has gained its carbonic acid, and passed into a mild state, its usefulness is neither destroyed nor materially diminished"; for, as a carbonate, it performs high and essential functions in the vegetable economy. "With safety it may be spread on the surface of the grass-lands, exposed to the rain, snows, and frost of winter, and if plowed down in spring, will exert a bene- ficial influence, and visibly promote the productiveness of the soil. The grand object with the farmer should be to mix it intimately with the mould, and keep it as near the top as possible, for it has a native tendency to sink downward. The quantity applied to an acre in many instances has varied from one hundred to two hun- dred bushels on stiff clay, while light lands have received from fifty to one hundred. The latter quantities will in general be sufficient, and it would be dangerous to venture on the greater till we become somewhat better acquainted with its use. No person can credit the exuberant fertility it imparts but those who have witnessed its extraordinary powers ; and in point of permanency it possesses a decisive advantage over the putrescent manures. The verdure of deep green, the freshness it communicates to the wastes, which the agriculturist's guide. 93 have been reclaimed by its agency, have been observable at the distance of twenty years ; and after once a proper dose has been given, it is necessary to repeat it but at long intervals. Value of Hen Manure. — The complaint of the fly on turnips, and bugs on cucumbers and other similar vines, is one of yearly, and sometimes longer occurrence. The mischief done by these little pests is very provoking, and frequently result in losses of labor and good crops which are very discouraging to cultivate. I have lately used the following preparation, which is an ample and com- plete remedy. Take hen manure one part, reduce it as well as you can to powder ; then with an equal part of plaster of Paris, incor- porate well together, and sprinkle the mixture over the vines, or sow it over the drills of your turnips. Hen manure is free from the seed of foul weeds, and in consequence of the great abundance of aninuMria it contains, it possesses a great effect in pushing plants forward. Hence for tomatoes, peppers, and similar plants in our northern climates, it possesses high value. It is well worth being saved with care by farmers and gardeners for every purpose of cul- tivation. Care should be used, however, in its application, for if given in too large quantities, and placed in too close proximity to the roots of the plant, its effects are fatal. Its value for all pur- poses is greatly increased by being mixed with charcoal, or when this is not at hand, with plaster. Every man who keeps hens should have his hen-house so situated as to save all the manure, and save it dry as may be. He will find it not an inconsiderable item in his matters of rural economy. Buckwheat as a Manure. — Buckwheat is highly recommended by many as a manure for other crops, though it is not equal to clover. It allows, however, two crops to be turned in a season, and on this account may prove a valuable aid to the farmer. ' Coal tar, when it can be obtained as a refuse, will make a good addition to the manure heap, as it contains a portion of carbonate and ace- tate of ammonia. These facts have been well established, and have been made to promote the growth of plants in a manner de- cidedly advantageous to the farmer. As gas works are multiplying in this country, we have deemed it not irrelevant to our duty to call the attention of farmers to this source of useful fertilizers. Agriculture is the nurse of patriotism and virtue; aided by science it makes a great man. All the energy of the hero, and the science of* the philosopher, may find scope in the cultivation of a farm. 3* 94 the agriculturist's guide. FORM OF AGREEMENT FOR LABORERS. It is hereby agreed between A. B., of , and C. D., of , as follows, viz. : — For, and in consideration of the sum or sums of money hereinafter named, to be paid by said A. B. to the said C. D., the said C. D. hereby promises and agrees, on his part, well and faithfully to serve the said A. B., for and during the full term of , from the date hereof, and to do and perform all and every such work and services as the said A. B. may at any time require during the period aforesaid ; and to perform and do such work with fidelity, and with a view at all times to promote and main- tain the comfort, interest, and welfare of said A. B. and his family, and for the full protection of his property and effects. And the said A. B. hereby promises and agrees to pay the said CD. for the work, and services, and duties faithfully done and performed by him, as aforesaid, the sum of dollars, for the term above named, and to employ the said C. D. for the said term of months ; it being understood and mutually agreed that the said C. D. shall not receive a sum to exceed dollars in any one month of said term ; and that the balance which may become due and unpaid under this agreement, of the said sum of $ , shall be paid to the said C. D. at the expiration of the full term of services above named, and not before. And the said C. D. also agrees strictly to conform to the rules and regulations of the farm, as written on the paper hereunto annexed, and signed by him. In witness whereof we have hereunto affixed our hands and seals, this day of , 18 — . In presence of It is expected that all persons employed on the farm of , will carefully attend to the following system : Regularity in hours. Punctuality in cleaning and putting away implements. Humanity to all the animals. Neatness and cleanliness in personal appearance- Decency in deportment and conversation. Implicit obedience to the proprietor and foreman. Ambition to learn and excel in farming. No liquor or strong drink of any kind is allowed. THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. 95 MAXIMS OF ORDER AND NEATNESS. 1. Perfonn every operation in the proper seasor,. 2. Perform every operation in the best manner. 3. Complete every part of any operation as you proceed. 4. Finish one job before you begin another. 5. Secure your work and tools in orderly manner. 6. Clean every tool when you leave work. 7. Return every tool and implement to its place at night. DESCRIPTION OF A CHEAP FARM-HOUSE. BY SOLON ROBINSON. Whoever rears his house in air, Will need much gold to build it there ; While he that builds an humble cot, May save some gold to boil the pot. While that so high the cot outshows, Is hard to climb the good wife knows. Who has the cot ne'er wants a home ; Who spent the gold to want may come. It is an old proverb, Mr. Editor, that many a man has built his house so big he could not live in it. Sometimes it is because he don't know how to build less. Can we help to show him ? Not- withstanding the high character and the adaptability of Mr. Down- ing's works to the " upper ten thousand," the wants of the lower ten hundred thousand are not satisfied. It is often the case, particularly in settling new countries, that a man wants something that will answer for immediate shelter, and which he would be glad so to build that it would by and by form part of the house — so he may be able to build part of a house this year, and part next year, and perhaps another part another year. Now any plan that is so arranged that the new beginner can build it in parts, having each part complete in itself, will be useful to many of your readers, who will never read " Cottage Residences ;" and if they did, could not adopt a single plan in the book, for want of means. It is for the benefit of this class that I have arranged the inclosed plan. It is particularly intended for the new settler, and to be built on the balloon plan, which has not a single tenon or mortise in the frame, except the sills ; all the upright 'timber being very light, and held together by nails, it being sheeted upon the studs under the clapboards, is very stiff, and just as good and far cheaper than ordinary frames. 0<3 THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. Front Viuw of Cottage. Ground Plan of Cottage. Description. a, Wash-room, 13 by 13; b, kitchen, 16 by 24; c, parlor, 16 by 16; d, f, h, i, bed-rooms, 10 by 12 ; e, store-room, 8 by 10 ; g, pantry, 8 by 10; /, I, clothes press ; k, entry ; m, fireplace ; n, stair- way ; o, wood-house; p, garden gate ; the pump should be in the wash-room. I would have a lawn in front, with shrubbery, and an orchard on the side opposite the garden. Between the gar- den and the house should be a road to the rear buildings, and between this road and the house I would have a strip of green sward ornamented with shrubbery. A cor- respondingstrip also should be reserved between the house and orchard. All the rest may be left to the taste of the person owning the premises. Now, suppose a family just arrived at the "new loca- tion," and designing to build a house up THE AGRICULTURIST S GCTIDE. g? on the above plan. First, they need some immediate shelter. Two hands in two days can put up the room 13 by 13, marked wash-room («), in the plan, with a lean-to roof, the sides covered with wide 3-4 inch boards, feather-edged together, with a rough floor, which, with a rough shed to cook under, will serve for bed- room and parlor while the house is buildiug. ■ ,»4 S ", ; , Next add the room marked kitchen^Hjj|^^^vs!2ed farmer's kitchen, 16 by 24. Board up the si^gM' / fBllime way and finish off inside complete, and you thej^-. * l ' : PRouse with two rooms, the wash-room answering well Jm P^rmier cooking-room. Divide the chamber into three rooms, ^frof them 8 by 14 each, and the other 10 by 16, including the stairway (n). Make the posts of this part of the building 12 ft. 6 in. high from the sleepers of lower floor, and the lower room 7 ft. 6 in. in the clear ; the joist ten inches deep, and the upper room will be 4 ft. high under the eaves, antl .you will consequently have to finish up the rafters till you get high enough in the center. Now add as you are able one or both of the wings, containing each a bed-room 10 by 12 (d, f, h, i), and pantry and store-room 8 by 10 (e, g) ; each of these is also a lean-to, the outside posts of which should be 6 ft. high, and the roof, rising 4 ft., will leavei 2 ft. above in the side of the center building for lights iiitotfff stairway chamber. These side-rooms will also have to be finished > a little way up the rafters, to get height enough. The "sides of these rooms, which were formerly the outside of the main building, ca.n. be plastered or papered upon the rough hoarding. Your house so^r is a whole house, complete in itself, hut next year you want it more extensive. Go on then, and add Ihe front room (c), with or without the wings and porch (d,i,j, Jc, I), either of which could be added afterward by making your calcu- lations as you go along, building one room after another as you are able, and until you finally get a very comfortable house, com- pleted like the plan. In calculating sizes of rooms, I have not allowed for thickness of walls. The front chamber I would leave all in one room, with one large window in the front, and^opening out upon the top of the portico, and having a drum which would be heated by the stove in the room below, and make a pleasant sitting, sewing, or nursery-room, either in summer or winter. As in all my design I aim at great economy of cost, convenience of arrangement, and occupancy of all the room for some useful purpose, so now I hope you are able to add a little cheap orna- mental work to the front. Support the porch which is 6 ft. by 24, upon five neat columns, with railing, except the doorway ; 98 THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. make the roof flat, with a pretty little railing on top, so that we can come out of tFe front chamber of a balmy evening to smell the honeysuckles that have been trained up from below. Carry out bulwarks upon the roof of each wing to hide the pitch. Put in a large window in the center of the parlor front, of a half-sex- agonal shape, with two narrow windows each side, opening by hinges down to the floor, through which in summer we can also have access to a pleasant seat upon the porch, and still enjoy the company of those who might choose to remain within the room. For the sake of symmetry, I place a door at each end of the porch, only one of which will be an open sesame, unless perchance about the time you get the " new white house" done, the sovereigns should elect you justice of the peace, or you happen to be a doc- tor, or somebody else, that wants a room for an office ; just see how conveniently you can open the blind door through a passage like that on the other side, into one of the front bed-rooms (i), 10 ft. by 12, where you could keep your official dignity very snug, with- out disturbing the family. The kitchen, which should be the grand desideratum in every farm-house, you will perceive is so situated that it has only nine feet of surface exposed to the weather, which will save many a load of wood, and yet by opening room doors, it can be well venti- lated in summer. Until you get the wood-house built, you can use the wash-room in winter to keep a stock of kindling wood. If you like the plan and have the means, of course it will be best to build the whole at one time. But, if necessary to build by sections, you can do as I have directed, or you can build the front part first, or build the entire center part first, and afterward add the different rooms that lean-to. — American Agriculturist. FARM BARNS AND STABLES. Barns should be so placed as to make them warm and comforta- ble for cattle. They should have a southern or an eastern aspect, and a cellar should extend under the whole building. For cattle- stalls, the cellar is the best room in the whole barn, and it is made at less cost than any other in the building. A farmer who has rocks handy can dig and stone a cellar with labor that is less costly than that of carpenters. Barn cellars are warmer in winter and cooler in summer than the upper parts of the building. Roots for stock can be kept here, and fed out with a great savino- of labor compared with storing in the cellar of the dwelling-house. And barns may be so finished tha,t hay may be stored conveniently THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. 99 below the floor. This is exceedingly convenient when you are in a hurry, as it often happens in the afternoon in hay-time. For one man can cart home a load and throw it off while the others are left in the field to gather the hay ; when all hands are at home the hay may be leveled down ; rainy weather answers for this business. Barns should always be set on the same side of the road with the house. Yet we find many farmers placing barns and out-buildings on the south side of the road, and directly opposite to the dwelling- house. This cuts off the most pleasant prospect usually to be had from the south side, or end of the house. It compels you to cross the road many times in a day to see your cattle and feed them. And it exposes you to all the effluvia that is generated in the dung- heaps in hot weather — for in hot weather the winds are southerly. I would place my barn, my hog-pen, and so forth, on the easterly or northerly side of the house, rather than westerly, because the east winds are less prevalent than the west, and when they do prevail, they are never so charged with putrid matter as west winds that have blown over heaps of manure. Farm buildings thus arranged may be set quite near together without offense to the nasal organs ; many steps are saved in a winter by setting the barn and the hog- pen near the dwelling-house ; and you can so arrange them in most cases as to be able to run to the stock to be fed under the lea of the buildings, and free from the northwest winds. In winter, the hogs should be under the barn, both for their own comfort and for yours. They will live warm there, and you carry them food when you go to feed the cattle. In summer, a trough may conduct the wash of the dairy directly to the pen, and save you the labor of carrying it by hand. FARM-BOOK. Every farmer should keep a farm-book. The following is an extract from a farm-book kept by a scientific farmer : Lot No. 1 contains 3 Acres and 40 Rods. This lot has been mowed for the last two years without manure. In the fall of 1847, carried on and loft in heaps 75 loads barn-yard ma- nure, worth 12£ cents per load, $9 37J 1848. March 30. Carted 15 on, worth 12£ cents per load, 1 874 Ap. 24, 25. do. 46 do. do. do, 5 75 May 5. Commenced plowing, time spent 3| days, 4 87£ do. 8, 9. Rolled, harrowed, and furrowed the ground, whole expense, 2 75 $24 62} 1.00 THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. 1848. Amount brought forward, $24 62J May 10. Commenced planting ; stopped by rain, at half- past 3 P. M. do. 12. Commenced planting again at half-past 2, P. M. ; do. 13. Was again stopped by rain at half-past 2 p.m.; it rained nil the time until the morning of the 14th, when the hills were white with snow, do. 15. Commenced planting again, and finished about half-past 6 p.m.; time 9pent in planting, 6 days, 3 00 li bushels of corn, steeped in copperas wa- ter, boiling, water being turned on, and re- maining 12 hours, and then boiling water turned on again, and about half a pint of tar turned on hot, and then stirred until the whole mass was well tarred, then turned off the walei - and pnt on plaster enough to make the corn fit for planting. Expenses of seed, plaster, copperas, and tar, 1 07 In furrowing, drew a plow slightly over the ground north and south ; rows distant from each other about three feet. In planting, one man dropped the corn in the furrows ; hills distant from each other about 15 inches ; another mar. followed with a composition of lime, unleached ashes and plaster, and drop- ped about half a gill into each hill, and then the whole covered with earth from 1 to 1J inches deep ; the quantity of compost used was about 15 bushels, 5 of each kind, worth 1 87J do. 20. Corn appeared above ground on the 8th day from planting; number of kernels in a hill, from 4 to 6. Calculated to have about 3 in a hill ; variety, 8 to 16 rowed yellow. June 2. Commenced hoeing ; considerable destroyed by the corn grub, a lead-colored, worm with brown head, a size larger than the gray cut worm. do. 6. Prevented from hoeing about 11 o'clock a.m., by- rain, which continued most of the afternoon. do. 7. Cold rains again stopped us from hoeing, and continued cold and wet. Cold and wet. Finished hoeing ; time spent, 6 days, at 50 ots. P er d «y 3 00 Man and horse to cultivate the same 1£ days, 1 50 Put on 7 bushels urate, 124 cents per bushel, 874 do - 6 do- do. do, 62£ $36 57 do. 8. do. 9. do. 9. do. 15, do. 17. THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. 101 1848. Amount brought forward, $36 57 June 17 Man one day putting on urate, 50 do. 21. Commenced hoeing the second time. do. 23. Finished; time spent, 3j days, at 5s. per day, 2 n.- do. 23. Man and horse to cultivator one day, at 8s.,.. 1 , , July 4. Commenced hoeing the third time. do. 7. Finished; time, 3i days ; expense, cultivator and all, 3 do. 7. Put on 18 bushels of plaster; expense and' putting on, ,. 3 do. 29. Picked corn fit to roast. August 20 Picked corn fit to grind. Sept. 25. Commenced cutting up and drawing. Oct. 2 to 6 Husked 142 baskets. do. 11. do., 40 do. do. 11. Shelled one basket as full as we usually fill them ; weight of corn, 64 J lbs. do. 17. Husked 68 do do. 17. Of corn saved for seed not reck- oned in, 2i do. Nov. 11. Finished what remained in barn, 11 do. 263i do. Expenses of harvesting in the barn, 13 25 Interest on land at 50 dollars per acre, 11 37 Cost of the crop, $71 32 Nov. 22 Shelled 223 ears, weighing 100 lbs. ; weight of corn, 79J lbs. Oct. 4. Shelled 137 ears; weight of corn, 112 lbs., or 2 bushels. do. 20. Shelled 160 ears ; weight of corn, 59 lbs. By 272 bushels of corn, at 50 cents per bushel, 136 00 By coin fodder raised on above lot, .. 15 00 By potatoes, about 10 bushels, at 3 shillings,.. 3 75 Besides potatoes used through the season, which I make no account of. $154 75 To balance , $83 23 My hired help is as follows during the season : March 1. Hired a man for 9 months, $100.00 April 1 3. Man 14 days, tagged my sheep, 1 00 May 2. Man and team plowing two days, 3 00 $104 00 102 THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. 1848. Amount brought forward,..'. $104 00 May 3. Man one day to assist in plowing and sowing, . . 50 do. 10. Man li days planting,. .\ 75 do. 19. Man 2 do. do, 100 June 15 Two men helped wash sheep, 1 25 do. 16. 2h days hoeing, 1 50 do. 29. 5£ days shearing sheep, 5 50. Aug. 1. Man one day digging stone, 1 00 Sept. 1. 3 days, raking and binding oats, 3 00 Work in crad ling oats, . 3 00 Man one day helping thrash, 1 00 do. 14. Hired a man for 14 months, at $12 per month, 18 00 Benton Breed thrashed with machine 427 bush- els barley 10 69 do. 14. lj days work, help take away straw, 75 Nov. 18. 3 days work at husking corn, 1 50 Cost of hire for the season, „ $154 00 TILL LITTLE AND THAT LITTLE WELL. 'Tis folly in the extreme to till Extensive fields and till them ill. The farmer, pleased, may boast aloud His bushels sown, his acre plowed, And, pleased, indulge the cheering hope That time will bring a plenteous crop. Shrewd common sense sits laughing by, And sees his hopes abortive die ; For when maturing seasons smile, Thin sheaves shall disappoint his toil. Advised, this empty pride expel ; Till little and that little well. Of taxing, fencing, toil, no more Your ground requires when rich than poor ; And more one fertile acre yields Than the huge breadth of barren fields. NEATNESS AND ORDER IN FARMINO- Neat be your farms ; 'tis long confessed The neatest farmers are the best. Each bog and marsh industrious drain, Nor let vile balks deform the plain ; No bushes on your headlands grow. Nor briers a sloven's culture show, Neat be your barns, your houses neat, your doors be clean, your houses sweet; THE AGItlCULTUKIST's GUIDE. No moss the sheltering roof enshroud, No wooden panes the window cloud, No filthy kennels foully flow, Nor weeds with rankling poison grow; But shades expand, and fruit trees bloom, And flowering shrubs exhale perfume. With pales, your garden circle round ; Defend, enrich, and clean the ground ; Prize high this pleasing, useful rood, And fill with vegetable good. Let order o'er your time preside, And method all your business guide. Early begin and end your toil, Nor let great tasks your hands embroil; One thing at once be still begun, Contrived, resolved, pursued, and done. Hire not for what yourselves can do ; And send not when yourselves can go ; Nor till to-morrow's light delay What might as well be done to-day. By steady efforts all men thrive, And long by moderate labor live ; While eager toil and anxious care, Health, strength, and peace, and life impair. Nor think a life of toil severe ; No life has blessings so sincere : It meals so luscious, sleep so sweet, Such vigorous limbs, such health complete No mind so active, brisk, and gay As his who toils the livelong day. A life of sloth drags hardly on ; Suns set too late and rise too soon. Youth, manhood, age, all linger slow To him who nothing has to do. The drone, a nuisance to the hive, Stays, but can scarce be said to live ; And well the bees, those judges wise, Plague, chase, and sting him till he dies. Neatness and good order contribute to health, wealth, and hap- piness ; while opposite habits tend to disease, misery, pjverty, vice, and short life. A place for every thing have, and every thing in its place. 104 THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. RULES FOR RAISING POULTRY. 1. All young chickens, ducks, and turkeys should be kept under cover out of the weather during rainy seasons. 2. Twice or thrice a week, pepper, shallots, shives, or garlic should be mixed up with their food. 3. A small lump of assafoetida should be placed in the pan in which their water is given them to drink. 4. Whenever they manifest disease, by the drooping of the wings or any other outward sign of ill health, a little assafoetida, broken into small lumps, should be mixed with their food. 5. Chickens which are kept from the dung-hills while young, seldom have the gapes ; therefore it should be the object of those who have the charge of them, so to confine -the hens as to preclude their young from the range of barn or stable yards. 6. Should any of the chickens have the gapes, mix up small portions of assafoetida, rhubarb, and pepper in fresh butter, and give each chicken as much of the mixture as will lie upon one half the bowl of a small teaspoon. 7. For the pip, the following treatment is judicious : Take off the indurated covering on the point of the tongue, and give twice a day, for two or three days, a piece of garlic the size of a pea ; if garlic can not be obtained, onion, shallot, or shives will answer ; and if neither of these be convenient, two grains of black pepper, to be given in fresh butter, will answer. 8. For the snuffles, the same remedies as for the gapes will be found highly curative ; but, in addition to them, it will be necessary to melt a 'little assafcetida in fresh butter, and rub the chicken about the nostrils, taking care to clean them out. 9. Grown-up ducks are sometimes tiiken off rapidly by convul- sions. In such cases, four drops of rhubarb, and four grains of Cayenne , pepper, mixed in fresh butter, should be administered. Last year we lost several by this disease, and this year the same symptoms manifested themselves among them ; but we arrested the malady without losing a single duck, by a dose of the above medi- cine to such as were ill. One of the ducks was at the time par- alyzed, but was thus saved. Profits of Poultry. — It is frequently asserted that poultry is more plague than profit ; but this, like many other assertions, must be taken with proper qualifications. We "contend, if \ou have a good breed of hens, take proper care of them, and near a good market, that the keeping of fowls is as profitable a business for the amount of capital invested in it, as a farmer's boy, or the woman of the family, can be engaged in Try it- there is nothing like trying the agriculturist's guide. 105 THE DORKING FOWL. For those who wish to stock their poultry yards with fowls of the -most desirable shupe arid size, clothed in rich and variegated plumage, and not expecting perfection, are willing to overlook one or two other points, the Dorkings are the breed, above all others, to be selected. They are larger-bodied, and of better proportions, according to their size, than any other variety I have yet seen, their bodies being rather long, plump, and well-finished ; and the breeder, as well the housewife, generally beholds with d'elight their short legs, full, broad breasts, little waste in offal, and the large quantity of good profitable flesh, the flavor and appearance of which is inferior to none. Dorking Fowl. Both the cocks and the hens are usually short-legged, thickly feathered, having fine, delicate heads, with single, double, 01 large, flat, rose-like combs, which, when they are in high health, adds very much to their appearance, particularly if seen in the bright rays of the sun. Their legs are invariably white, or flesh-colored, each often armed with one or more toe-like claws ; and, instead of four toes to each foot, a fifth one protrudes from the same root 106 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. as the heel toe in the common varieties, which is generally regarded as a distinguishing mark of the breed. The weight of the Dorkings, at maturity, varies from five to eight pounds, and full-grown capons have been known to weigh te.n or twelve. Their eggs are usually of a clear white, but some- times of an ashy gray color, rather large in size, very much rounded at both ends, and of an excellent flavor. The hens are not " ever- lasting layers," although they produce eggs in reasonable abun- dance, but at due or convenient intervals they manifest a desire to sit, in which they often most strenuously persevere. In this re- spect, they are steady and good mothers when the little ones appear. They are better adapted than any other fowl, except the great Malay, to hatch superabundant turkey's eggs. Their size and bulk enable them to afford warmth and shelter to the turkey poults for a long time. For the same reason, spare goose eggs may safely be intrusted to their motherly care. Their young, in this country, have thus far proved very hardy and easy to rear. The chicks are generally brownish yellow, with a broad, brown stripe down the middle of the back, and a narrow one on each side. — American Poultry Yard. THE BLACK SPANISH FOWL. This is a noble race of fowls, possessing many great merits : of spirited and animated appearance ; of considerable size, excel- lent for the table, both in whiteness of flesh and skin, and also in flavor, being juicy and tender, and lay- ing exceedingly large eggs, in considerable numbers. Among birds of its own breed, it is not deficient in courage ; though it yields without showing" *nmoh fight to those which have a dash of game blood in their veins. It should be a general favorite in all large cities, for the additional advantage that no soil of smoke nor dirt is apparent on its plumage. — Am. Poultry Yard. the agriculturist's guide. ■mBBL *m \tmm COCHIN-CHINA. FOWLS. The above are said to be very faithful portraits of the Co- chin-China fowls re- cently introduced in- to Great Britain by Queen Victoria. They are the largest and most magnificent of the domestic breed known. They were supposed at first to belong to the family of Bustards, but it is now settled that they are genuine poultry. The cocks of this breed, well fatted, weigh alive from 12 to 15 lbs. ; hens, from 9 to 12 lbs. Their general color, accord- ing to Richardson, is a rich, glossy brown, or deep bay ; on the breast is a marking of a blackish color, and of the shape of a horse-shoe ; the comb is of a medium size, serrated, but not deeply so, and the wattles are double. Besides their gigan- tic size, however, these fowl possess many other distinc- tive characteristics, among which may be enumerated the following : the disposition of the feathers on the back of the cock's neck is reversed, these being turned upward; 108 the agriculturist's guide. the wing is jointed, so that the posterior half can, at pleasure, be doubled up, and brought forward between the anterior half and the body. "I am not aware," he adds, "whether trial has, as yet, been made of the flesh ; but from the white color, and delicate appear- ance of the skin, I feel confident that they would afford a luxurious and a. princely dish. The eggs laid by the hen of this variety are said to be large, of a chocolate-color, and to possess a very delicate flavor. One of the hens, Bessy, exhibited by Her Majesty, laid 94 eggs in 103 days." The Cochin-China cock has been crossed with the Dorking hen, and the produce is said to be superb. Pullets of this cross have been known to weigh 10 lbs. each, at six months old. If the above portraits be correct, we should be afraid the cross would add too great a length of. leg to the Dorking, and we very much doubt whether the best specimens could be improved by it. But there are poultry fanciers who will have size, let the shape and other qualities of the birds be as they may. For our own part, we mucb prefer medium-sized poultry as most delicate and profitable. — American Poultry Yard. DRAINING. When drains and draining are presented for the consideration of the American farmer, it seems to suggest the idea of reclaiming a swamp or a bog, with a view to bring such land into cultivation ; and though in many instances this may be desirable or profitable, yet we conceive the importance of swamps and bogs falls far short of what we would at this time press upon the attention of agri- culturists. To make this subject understood, it must be made to affect the interest of every farmer ; and to all such we assert, that there is not one farm out of every seventy-five but needs drain- ing — yes, much draining — to bring them into high cultivation ; nay, we may venture to say that every wheat-field would produce a larger and finer crop if properly drained. Conceiving the subject to be of importance to the industrious farmer, we will endeavor -to explain and convince every inquirer as to its necessity, and then point out the method for its accomplish- ment. We feel some confidence in our suggestions, because we have seen the action and effects of draining where it has been practiced. It will be conceded that no farmer ever raised a good crop of grain on wet ground, or on a field where pools of water become" masses of ice in the winter; in such cases the grain plants are i'AE agriculturist's GUIDE. lOf) generally frozen out and perish, or if any survive, they never arrive at maturity, or produce a well-developed seed. In fact, every observ- ing farmer knows that stagnant water, whether on the surface of his soil or within reach of the roots of his plants, always does them injury. Many a field has been condemned as unfit for the growth of wheat (and we know a case exactly thus circumstanced), though it was richly laden with every element for a luxuriant and abundant crop ; and this condemnation arose from the ever-imperfect yield and imperfect observation of the proprietor. Upon an examination of this field, when it was subsequently plowed, dark spots or stripes on and across it were readily discernible, mostly in the de- pressions, but also on the higher positions. To one of experience these indications were sufficient to prove the near approach of water, though none was visible. In the heats of summer these marks may, and do become more faint ; yet such a soil, like a sponge, is tenacious of moisture, not readily parting with the rains that fall, and, from obstructions beneath, retaining moisture too long, to the prejudice of vegetation. It is from this cause that old pastures on such soils soon lose the cultivated grasses, and send forth such only as are natural to water-courses, swamps, and marshy grounds ; and this was the only defect in the condemned field alluded to, which, when trained, gave abundant crops of wheat, and every other grain sown or planted on its surface. It was by taking away the surplus moisture, not visible, that effected this important and profitable change. Water, when retained on the surface, or in the soil, renders it cold, and of course less able to cause seeds to vegetate. The heat of the sun in spring is con- sumed by the evaporating water, and thus lost to the soil ; nor is the ground warmed by the sun's rays in too many cases until the season for sowing spring grain has too far advanced. Another serious injury from water in excess is the privation of air ; the ac- tion of the atmosphere on the soil is shut out, its vivifying princi- ples are denied to the earth, and to the seed or plant. Water is not only injurious from its excess, but also from the fact that a too abundant supply dissolves and carries off soluble portions of ma- nures, so necessary for our plants. It is known also that where water remains long stagnant, it will in time become charged with the ox- ide of iron, or sulphate of iron, and other matters alike injurious to our crops. Need I say more to convince you of the necessity of draining your farms ? Now comes the question, How is this great good to be accom- plished ? What is the best method ? what will it cost ? and above all, will it pay ? These inquiries we will endeavor to meet, though 4 110 THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. om- limits will not admit of laying before you information sufficient to satisfy the spirit which is so evidently aroused. The statements, though brief, will doubtless lead to renewed inquiries, and an active search for information. The inquiry, How is this jjreat good to be accomplished — what is the best method 2 will lead me to speak of various probable localities, each of which needs a different treat- ment. Thus we have in this country numerous portions that may be called bogs, being generally too wet to sustain the weight of a man, and where the water seems to rise from below. These lands are very retentive of moisture, acting like a sponge, but when drained are often found to be very productive. To drain lands of this description, the first important step is to ascertain the nature of the strata of earth which the nearest high grounds may possess, in order to know whether the main supply of water does or does not flow from them, In almost all cases such is the cause, and leads us at onoe to cut a drain or ditch just above the level of the bog on the higher ground, and so deep as to intercept the waters as they descend, and by means of this ditch to lead them off toward the lowest point, thus arresting the supply of water, collecting it into one ohannel, and cutting it off from its usual ramifications through the bogs. In time the bog will have become so firm as to be traversed readily, though it remains wet and marshy. Small- er open drains or ditches should now be dug from the lowest point of the bog, to be connected with the deeper and larger ditch on the higher ground, the connection to be made at the greatest de- pression of the latter. Smaller lateral ditches may now be cut leading into the main, and thus the bog will be drained and ren- dered fit for cultivation. In situations where these bogs may have been drained, every exertion must be used to prevent the filling up of the open drains, and to overcome the excess of iron which always exists in such moist places. This is done, as you probably know, by the application of lime ; and when accomplished, the reward is great, in the immense amount of herbage the soil will produce. To drain fields devoted to grain and meadows, it is important so to locate and construct the drains, as that no plow or other instru- ments, when used at their greatest depth, derange them ; and that the drainage may be effected, they must be so graded as to carry off the water with reasonable rapidity. It will naturally occur to every mind, that in locating a drain, the lowest point on the field must be the starting point, and from thence the main drain must be carried in as straight a line as practicable, along the lowest ground, and gradually ascending to the highest, the grade or rise being strictly preserved in the same ratio »as to distance. This THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. Ill main drain is usually larger than other drains on the same field, lis it is intended to receive the collected waters from other portions ; its outlet must also be kept well open, and protected from any and every obstruction. When the main drain is completed, lateral drains may be cut, running from any low or wet portions of tho field into the main drain. Fields having a uniform slope in one direction, may have all the drains parallel to each other, sending all the water to a main drain, constructed at the lowest headland of the field, and thence flowing to the adjacent lower grounds. The varied undulations of the ground call for as varied positions of drains; so varied as to forbid suggestions or plans that will suit the wishes of every man ; but with the foregoing general remarks, it must be remembered, as a general rule, that every main drain must be not less than three feet deep ; nor must any other or late- ral drain be less than thirty inches deep. The width of a drain depends npon the material used for construction, varying from six to twelve inches. Many and various are the contrivances used in the construction of drains ; and as usual in all projects used as expedients, they are faulty, and soon become useless. Among the most improved drains of the present day is the following : When you have judiciously marked out your field to be drained, and staked the course of the several trenches, let them be accu- rately dug at least three feet deep, and not over thirty feet asunder, for thorough draining. The trenches or ditches must run down the slopes, and not across them, that the water may go off freely. Dig the trenches as narrow as may be, so that a man can clean out the botton and construct the drain ; the width at bottom for the main drains need not exceed ten inches, and for all other drains not to exceed seven inches. Be careful to have the grade on the fall of the water not less than one foot in one hundred, remember- ing that a greater fall will more readily prevent the accumulation of sediment. Cut the main trench first all'the way through the field, and do not lay in the materials until you have ascertained that the dimensions and grade are correct throughout. You are now ready to construct the drain, with tiles of a semi-cylindrical form. These tiles are made of burned clay, of various lengths, from twelve to thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen inches, the width and height being two and a quarter by three and a half inches, and four by five inches. When the tiles are well made, they are smooth and heavy, and ring when struck with a hard substance. They are so strong that a man may stand or leap on them without break- ing them. Have your tiles conveniently placed along the trench, so' that they may lay solid. The tiles be'ing laid, it is best to cover 112 THE AGRICULTURISTS GUIDE. the whole with turf sod, and fill the trench by means of your piow or shovel, as may be most convenient. Many use straw to cover the tile, but a turf, cut about eighteen inches long and twelve inches wide, will just fit, and perfectly cover them with the grass side down. The larger and smaller drains are all thus constructed, and when properly made, will never need repair or further attention. You must have noticed, that for thorough draining the trenches are directed to be dug at distances thirty feet apart ; and this is probably the greatest distance at which drains will act so as to draw the water from the earth. In this respect we must be guid- ed by the character of the soil, and experience will probably teach us that a distance of forty feet is an extreme limit for very thor- ough draining. This is the method of draining now so extensively used in other countries, and about to be so extensively adopted in our own ; and these tiles are found to be far superior to masonry, to stone, to wood, or any other kind of drain hitherto tried. It is this system or method which has enabled the farmers of Eng- land and Scotland, of late years, to raise twice the number of bushels of wheat from an acre that we can. It is true, necessity has claimed from them great exertions, to feed their over-populous islands, and necessity being a sharp master, has elicited, and will continue to bring forth, every talent useful for the comfort of man The inquiry as to the expense or cost of these drains now demands attention. Not long since, pattern tiles for drains were procured from Great Britain, and tiles of two sizes have been made and used . in Seneca Co., N. Y. The cost has been at the rate of twenty cents per rod for the smaller size, and forty cents per rod for the larger. We have seen that thorough draining requires drains at parallel distances of about thirty feet ; let us say of two rods, or thirty- three feet, then an acre would need seven drains of thirteen rods each in length, in all ninety-one rods ; this, at 20-100 for the tiles, gives, say $18 20 Add for discharge, laying and filling, 18-100 per rod, 16 38 Making the lowest cost per acre, $34 58 and 38 cents per rod. Let us examine and compare the cost of making a common stone drain, the stone being on the field to be drained. Thus a man and team will draw stone in one day sufficient to build about five rods of drain, $1 go Cost of laying the stone, at 6-100 per rod, 30 Cost of the trench, at 18-100 do, 90 * Cost of five rods of common atone drain, .$2 70 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 118 or fifty-four cents per rod, thus showing a difference of sixteen cents per rod in favor of the drain tiles. GARDENING. No one can, be truly said to live who has not a garden. None but those who have enjoyed it can appreciate the satisfaction — the luxury — of sitting down to a table spread with the fruits if one's own planting and culture. A bunch of radishes — a few heads of lettuce — taken from the garden of a summer's morning for break- fast, or a mess of green peas, or sweet corn, are quite different affairs from the same articles brought in large quantities from mar- ket, in a dying condition, to be put away in the cellar for use. And a plate of strawberries or raspberries lose none of their peculiar flavor by passing directly from the border to the cream, without being jolted about in baskets until they have lost all form and comeliness. And how many farmers, with enough land lying waste to furnish them with most of the luxuries of life, are con- tent to plod on in the even tenor of their way, never raising their tastes above the " pork-and-beans" of their fathers. Never grow any thing carelessly. If it be worth growing at all, it is worth growing properly. Jerusalem artichokes and horse- radish are both, treated ill, but there is no comparison in their quality when treated as weeds, and when cultivated as they should be. Both ought to be planted in clean ground every year, though horseradish is better when two or three years old. Artichokes may be cleared out once a year. Keep Clean Gardens. — It is rather too common for people to allow weeds to grow up toward the close of the season, and par- ticularly on plots where early crops have been gathered. This is decidedly bad economy, to say the least. Weeds are at all times unsightly ; besides, they exhaust the ground of its riches, and sow it with seeds that will require much labor to subdue next season. Clean Culture, at all seasons, is truly economical. There are few families who have not children who should be taught industry and neatness about the garden, and should be daily engaged, more or less, in cleaning off weeds, dead, flower-stems, decaying vegeta- bles, fallen fruit, and every thing unsightly. Weeds thrown in a heap, mixed with manure and earth, make an excellent compost for the production of future crops. Flower- Gardens. — Women love flowers, and flowers are like women, in their beauty and sweetness ; so they ought to grow up together. No flower-garden looks complete without a woma^'in it no woman ever seems so lovely as when she is surrounded by 114 THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE, flowers. She should have her fragrant bouquet at tne party ; if possible some rich and rare flowering shrubs in her conservatory— but better than all these, and supplying all, every woman in the world should have a flower-garden. Every man who has the least gallantry or paternal feeling should make a flower-garden for his wife and daughters. Every house, the smallest cottage in the country, as well as the largest mansion, should have around it the perfumes of lilacs, roses, pinks, and other hardy odoriferous flowers that cost no trouble, but bring with them every year a world of beauty and fragrance. Cabbages.- — Take from the stumps of old cabbages which you generally set out early in the spring the most prominent shoots, after they have sufficiently expanded themselves, and set them out in the same mode you do your plants, and they will immediately take root, and afford you a very early and luxuriant cabbage. Those who have tried this method affirm that they are much earlier and by far superior to any that can be produced from the plants. They must be broken from the stumps, and not cut off, as the small fibers greatly facilitate their taking root. Early Tomatoes. — When the assistance of a hotbed can not be obtained, tomatoes may be successfully started in pots, or other suitable vessels, in a warm room. In this manner the maturing of the fruit will be advanced a week or two, and without involving any serious trouble or expense. STRAWBERRIES. Strawberries are a Profitable Crop. — The strawberry is the tirliest of all fruits generally cultivated in this country, and it is one of the most delicious and wholesome. It is cooling, refresh- ing, and highly acceptable ; very juicy, rather acid, and remarkably tender, which admirably adapts it to general use in hot weather. This fruit is easily raised. Any good tillage is adapted to its cul- tivation, but it pays well for high manuring and thorough cultiva- tion. A deep, sandy loam, rather moist, yet well drained, that the water may not stand on it in the winter, is the best soil for straw- berries. Large crops are raised on light soils ; but on such soils a severe drought may greatly reduce the crop. The Early Virginia Strawberry is one of the best and most profitable varieties; and for an early kind, it takes the lead. It is hardy, vigorous in growth, an abundant bearer, and the fruit is ex-' cellent. Hovey's seedling follows Early Virginia, in quick succes- sion, and it is distinguished for its large size and productiveness, and the quality is very good. It is a pistillate plant, and requires THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 115 a staminate variety, or a perfect kind, like the Early Virginia, near it, in order to get a good crop and perfect strawberries. These two are the principal varieties cultivated. Many more are on trial, some of which are very promising: With a moderate degree of care and attention they will yield at the rate of one hundred bushels per acre. A common error is to plant them in an old, worn-out garden soil, or to manure them too highly, which gives vines, but no fruit. The best is a good, deep, new soil, not excessively rich. Swain'stone Seedling. — A strong, fine growing plant, perfectly hardy, and better adapted to our climate than most of the English varieties. The blossoms are unusually large, and are perfect in both organs. The fruit, which is borne on very high trusses, is es- teemed by all who have tasted it, to be of the very first quality, solid, juicy, and highly aromatic. I am not acquainted with any other strawberry that will compare with it in point of flavor. The berries are of a medium size, nearly uniform in shape, and never assume a cockscomb form. Mr. Downing describes the berries as averaging from three and a half to four inches ' in circumference. This strawberry may be considered a good bearer, when under high cultivation ; though my plants, which were grown in a poor soil, without much manure, bore very delicious fruit, but of less size than it would have been, had it grown under more favorable circum- stances. Princess Alice Maud.'— This fine new variety was produced from Keen's Seedling, which it very closely resembles. Like its parent, it is a free grower, increasing rapidly by runners. It is one of the very earliest large-fruited kinds, being but a few days later than the Early Scarlet. On this account it must be considered one of the most valuable sorts, especially if it should prove sufficiently hardy, which there is reason to believe it will, for some plants in my garden were unprotected last winter, which was a very severe one, without sustaining any 116 THE AGRICULTURISTS GUIDE. injury, and bore very abundantly this summer. The blossoms are more perfect in both organs than usual, the receptacle which becomes the fruit, being large, and seldom failing to fructify. The fruit, which is quite large, has an irregular sur- face, often assuming a cockscomb form, is rich and juicy, but not quite equal in flavor to Keen's Seedling. Mr. Longworth defies any horticulturist to obtain a full crop of fruit from a staminate plant bearing large berries. I think a fair average yield may be obtained from this variety. — Agriculturist. POTATOES. Potato Rot. — I find from all that I have read, and all I have learned from experience, based on experiment, that the following suggestions are valuable, because, if strictly followed, they will ameliorate the disease always, and in most cases be a preventive : 1st. Plant none but good, perfectly sound seed. 2d. Plant deep, in light dry soil. 3d. Plant early, and gather them before the tops or vines are entirely dead. 4th. Dig them only when the ground is dry, and dig in a clear, dry day ; house them before the sun be down, or the dew falls. Put none away but such as look dry — house them in a dry cellar, letting fresh air to them whenever it is not too moist or too frosty. 5th. Do not use fermenting manures in the trenches or hills. 6th. In putting them away, make three classes : perfectly sound, suspected, partially affected. From the last named, cut off with a knife every part at all affected. 7th. The best seed unquestionably are seedlings. Winter Culture op the Potato. — A successful attempt to raise potatoes from seed sown in the beginning of September has been made in Prussia. New Varieties of Potatoes. — When the vines are done grow- THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. 11? ing, and turning brown, the seed is ripe ; then take the balls and string with a large needle and strong thread — hang them in a dry place, where they will gradually dry and mature without injury from frost. In the, month of April soak the ball for several hours in water, then squeeze them to separate the seed from the pulp. When washed and dried they are fit for sowing in rows in a bed well pre- pared in the garden. They will sprout in a fortnight. They must be attended to like other vegetables, and when about two inches high, they may be thinned and transplanted into rows. As they increase in size, they should be hilled. In the autumn many of them will be of the size of a walnut, and from that to a pea. In the following spring they should be planted in hills, placing the large ones together. They will in the second year attain their full size, and will exhibit several varieties of form, and may then be selected to suit the judgment of the cultivator. Small Potatoes. — This term is so generally reproachful that the person or thing to which it is applied is placed in the lowest attitude. But even small potatoes should not be despised, as the following facts, which were related to us by one of our townsmen, who derived most profit from the proceeding, fully illustrate : Some years ago, a gentleman visiting a farmer in Tolland, Con- necticut, took from his pocket a small intruder, which somehow got in there at home. It was thrown out with a smile, and the farmer, taking it in his hand to look at, a curious little boy of twelve at his elbow, asked what it was. " Oh, nothing but a potato, my boy — take and plant it, and you shall have all you can raise from it till you are free." The lad took it, and the farmer thought no more of it at that time. The boy, however, not despising small potatoes, carefully divided it into as many pieces as he could find eyes, and put them in the ground ; the product was carefully put aside in the fall, and seed for several hills was obtained for next spring. The product was all kept for seed until, in the fourth year, the yield being good, the actual product was four hundred bushels! The farmer, seeing that the potato-field would by another year cover his whole farm, asked to be released from his promise. With the same calculation, prudence, and industry, how many who are disposed to regard the trifling thing on which fortunes are built as too small potatoes to receive their attention would have been in independent circumstances if they had husbanded their small advantages. Small potatoes should not be despised, even though there be at first but a few in a hill. 4* 118 THE AGRICULTURISTS GUIDE. Usefulness of Potatoes. — The potato is a vegetable which the rich man knows not how to forego, and one which places the poor man above want. With a shelter from the weather and one acre of land to plant with these tuber, a man may subsist at almost any distance from the miller, the baker, the butcher, and I may almost add, the doctor. It suits all tastes, flourishes in nearly all climates, and is eminently nutritious and healthful. Its cultivation demands but little labor, and when the earth has ripened the tubers, they are harvested 'without trouble, and cooked without expense. A few fagots, in summer, will boil them, and, in winter, the necessary heat is supplied without expense. There is no waste of time in the process of milling, sifting, kneading, baking, seasoning, jointing, or carving. There is nothing deficient nor superfluous in a well- boiled potato. As soon as it is cooked, it opens by chinks, lets fall its thin pellicle on the platter, and with a little salt, butter, or milk, is ready for the unfastidious appetite of the hungry man. Start not back at the idea of subsisting upon the potato alone, ye who think it necessary to load your tables with all the dainty viands of the market ; with fish, flesh, and fowl, seasoned with oils and spices, and eaten, perhaps, with wines ; start not back, I say, with feigned disgust, until you are able to display in your own pampered person a firmer muscle, a more beau-ideal outline, and healthier glow than the potato-fed peasantry of Ireland and Scotland once showed you, as you passed their cabin doors ! No ; the chemical physiologist will tell you that the well-ripened potato, when prop- erly cooked, contains every element that man requires for nutrition, and in the best proportion which they are found in any plant what- ever. There is the abounding supply of starch for enabling him to maintain the process of breathing, and for generating the neces- sary warmth of body ; there is the nitrogen for contributing to the growth and renovation of organs ; the lime and the phosphorus for the bones, and all the salts which a healthy circulation demands. In fine, the potato may well be the universal plant ; and the dis- ease under which it now labors is a universal calamity. If any agricultural institution should ever be so fortunate as to make us acquainted with the means of controlling it, its name would quickly rank by the side of the proudest universities, and if the great discovery should proceed from a single individual, his name would live when those of the greatest generals and conquerors have be- come as uncouth and strange to human utterance as their deed* were opposed to human happiness. run agriculturist's guide. 119 CORN CROP PROFITABLE. This we consider an important crop in this country, and I find our farmers are growing firm in the same opinion. It is a fattening crop in every position it can be placed. The very process neces- sary to insure its success is fattening to the soil, so that it is better when the crop is taken off than when planted. The ground must be enriched for its benefit, if it is not already in good condition ; it must be thoroughly pulverized to a good and sufficient depth, to enable it to throw its wandering roots abroad ; and on these two operations hang the laws of good husbandry. The expense of raising an acre of corn may be estimated : To inteiest on land worth $50 per acre, $3 00 Plowing , 1 00 Harrowing, 1 00 Manure, and hauling the same, a portion of which goes to future crops, * 10 00 Planting, including seed, 1 00 Two hoeings or cleansing with cultivator, 2 00 Harvesting 2 00 $20 00 Such land and such labor bestowed will give at a moderate calcu- lation fifty bushels per acre : Fifty bushels, at fifty cents per bushel, amount to $25 00 Stalks, if well secured, are worth 6 00 Deduct 20 00 Leaving a balauco of. $11 00 for crops, and the land in fine condition for wheat, to be followed by grass. , CORN. Late Hoeing fob Corn Injurious. — In the cultivation of this important and valuable crop, it should ever be borne in mind that late hoeing is an injury rather than a benefit. The practice adopted, however, by most farmers at this day, and which, from the powerful support it derives from physiological science, deserves to be universal, is thoroughly to eradicate all spurious vegetation before that period in the advancement of the crop, when the small fibrous roots having assumed a position near the surface of the soil, are necessarily exposed to, and consequently lacerated by the hoe. 120 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. It is, indeed, rarely the case in this country^ that more than two hoeings are strictly necessary, if properly performed, in the culti- vation of corn. The latter being as a general thing accomplished by the time the plants are ready to spindle,' leaves the crop in a most vigorous and healthy state, not only uninfested by weeds, but at liberty to pursue its growth, and perfect the beautiful system of lateral rootlets, in a soil perfectly light and permeable, and with, all the important adjuncts emanating from the free and unrestricted access of those prime elements of vegetable nutrition, moisture, heat, and air. It has often been to me a matter of surprise, on passing the inclosure of some who call themselves farmers, to see large coni- cal hills erected, similar to those formed by some tillers around their potatoes ; though, as I conceive, without any possible advan- tage to that crop more than to corn. Under all circumstances, I find a perfectly fiat surface the best for the corn plant ; where hills are made, the rain falling in a dry time, is conveyed from the hill, rather than to them. CORN FOR HORSES. Give your horses plenty of salt, and corn is the best grain-feed a horse can have. A Method of Cultivating Corn. — My universal rule is to plow my com land the fall preceding the spring when I plant ; and as early in the spring as is necessary, I cross-plow as deep as cir- cumstances will permit ; and as soon as this is done, I commence checking off : the first way with my large plow, and the second with my small plow — the checks three feet by three, admitting of working the land both ways. And then I plant my corn from the tenth to the fifteenth of May — a rule to which I adhere with scru- pulous exactness — planting from four to eight grains in each hill, covering the same from three to five inches deep, greatly preferring the latter depth. So soon as my corn is up of sufficient height, I start the large harrow directly over the rows, allowing a horse to walk each side ; harrowing the way the corn was planted ; and on land prepared as above, and harrowed as directed, the hoeing part will be so completely performed by the process, that it will satisfy the most skeptical. Then allowing the corn thus harrowed to re- main a few days, I start my small plow with the bar next to the corn ; and so nicely will this be done, that when a row is thus plowed, so completely will the intermediate spaces, hills, etc., be lapped in by the loose earth, occasioned by this system of close plowing, as to render any other work useless for a time. I thin THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. 121 to four stalks upon a hill, never having to transplant, the second plowing being performed with the mould-board toward the rows of corn, and so rapid has been the growth of the corn between the first and second plowings, that this is performed with ease ; and when in this stage I consider my crop safe — my general rule being never to plow my corn more than four times, and harrow once. My practice is to put a field in corn two successive years, then grass it, and let it lie eight years — a rule from which I never devi- ate. Now I do not pretend that the labor bestowed upon a sod field to put it in a state of thorough cultivation does not meet with a fair equivalent from one crop ; but I presume no farmer will doubt when I say the second year's crop from sod land is better than the first, with not more than one half the labor. The best system of farming is to produce the greatest amount of profit from the smallest amount of labor. WEEDS AMONG CORN. Weeds among Cokn should be kept down. — Farmers whosa convictions in relation to the necessity of this important duty are any thing but dubious, often shrink from its performance because of its unpleasantness. There is something in it too irksome for their indolence, and hence they emulate the sluggard, and permit their fields and gardens to be infested with a worthless and spuri- ous vegetation which not only tends to the befoulment of the soil, but involves not unfrequently the loss of then - labor in the curtail- ment or ruin of the crop. There are a number of weeds which, being indigenous, are extremely difficult to subdue. Of this class I would particularly mention " witch grass," " barn grass," sorrel, etc. ; all of which, together with many others that might be men- tioned, are strongly attached to rich and warm soils, as well as fatal exhausters of those principles on which the healthy develop- ment and final maturation of the crop so imminently depend. The only true policy to be pursued in this matter is to keep down all unprofitable vegetation, and never to permit a noxious or worthless weed to mature its seed on any soil intended to sustain a crop of roots or grain. Whatever may be the cost of extirpation, perfect, entire immunity from the deteriorating and impoverishing effects, is, it should he remembered, available in no other way. WHEAT. Wheat is the principal breadstuff of the United States and of most of European nations. This, as well as the other cereal grasses, nas probably come to us from the East ; but it has been so much 122 - THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. changed and improved by culture, that its connection can not be sat- isfactorily traced to any species of the genus now known to be growing wild. Of all the cereals, it is that which requires most heat, and its culture first begins to be of importance at 60° north lati- tude in Europe, and considerably below that line on our continent. From the meteorological observations which have been made, we infer that a mean heat of at least 39° Fahrenheit is necessary for the growth of wheat, and that during three or four months. The mean summer heat must rise above 55° Fahrenheit. It does not however bear tropical heat well ; in countries within the tropics it at first occurs in altitudes which in climate correspond with the sub- tropical and temperate zones. There are few parts of the United States in which wheat may not be raised. But the productiveness of the crop is influenced by various circumstances, as soil, climate, and expense of transport to the great commercial depots. These circumstances, together with the more profitable cultivation of other crops, as tobacco, rice, cotton, and the sugar cane, have nearly fixed the southern limit of the wheat-growing region of the United States in North Carolina. The particular districts, however, in which the culture of this cereal is most successfully prosecuted are the western parts of New York and Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the northwestern states and territories. The rich and virgin soil of the western prairies seems to be peculiarly adapted to the growth of wheat ; and the great lines of communication which are already established between these and the Atlantic cities afford every facility for the transport of the surplus produce. DRILL SOWING. After my first experiment in sowing wheat with the drill, in which I was successful, I was further encouraged by reading the experience of Jethro Tull, who was a practical farmer, and wrote about one hundred and fifty years ago. Up to that time, farming in England was at a low ebb, owing to the low price of wheat — the average produce not being ten bushels to the acre. The small quantity yielded induced Jethro Tull to experiment with machinery, and improve culture, as the price of grain in those days would not justify the farmers in purchasing manures. His experiments were eminently successful, for in a very few years he had brought up his yield to seventy -five bushels per acre from six gallons sowing with the drill, upon land that but a few years before he could not get ten bushels from by the old mode of culture. His neighboring farmers were then, as many are now, prejudiced against book and experimental farming, and viewed him as an innovator upon their THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 123 old established customs. They finally came into Tull's plan, and now drills are there extensively used, and but little wheat is sown broadcast in the highly cultivated counties of England. When I commenced drilling, and for two or three years, I was ridiculed by my neighbors ; some would advise me to take the implement home, break it up, and cook my dinner with it. I, however, disregarded their jeers, and persevered. And now the best evidence that I can possibly bring forward in support of the drill over the broad- cast system, is the fact that all my neighbors have adopted the drill for sowing their wheat and most other small grain. FALLOWING. A new mode of fallowing is about taking the place of the old soil-destroying system, viz . : to plow but once for a crop, roll down the turf, and then let it remain for decomposition ; cultivate the surface, to keep down weeds and grass. For this, N. Ides's wheel cultivator is the thing itself; it does up' the work most admirably, and for the next crop this turf forms a fertilizer, while the surface with the vegetable matter is turned under to form another by the process of decomposition ; the soil having been rolled down in a compact state, not much is lost by evaporation. The plowing should be graduated in proportion to the variety of soils and pro- portion of heat ; so far as the heat penetrates the surface, the ten- dency is upward in sustaining and supporting vegetable life ; as for the rolling process, every farmer knows where he turns his team there he has the best crop. When we look on the forest, we be- hold the majestic pitie penetrating the clouds, and by its side the sturdy oak, defying the tempest. How is it that they have attained this mighty grandeur without cultivation ? The reason, doubtless, is that the earth has suffered no loss by evaporatioh.- WHEAT AFTER BARLEY. The growth of straw after this crop appears to be less than any other I have yet tried as a fore-crop. Even lands hitherto deemed too rich for wheat, succeed well, treated in this manner. The growing wheat stands up well, and ripens without rust. Will this mode of culture admit of. general practice? If so, its economy is apparent ; for it is obvious that on all well-improved lands, the tedious, expensive, and (to the soil) injurious process of summer fallowing may be dispensed with, and in its stead, with the same labor nearly, and in the same time occupied in fallowing, a remu- nerating crop may be raised and marketed before the ordinary sowing season arrives, whose profit will more than repay the pre- 124 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. paratory expense of the ensuing wheat crop. Nor does the pro- cess interfere in any way with the proper rotation of crops, for barley succeeds equally well with me on clover lea, old pasture, or corn stubble with fall plowing, which is, after all, in my estimation, the true mode of fallowing. WHEAT, WHEN PIT TO CUT. Some years ago, I cut several heads of wheat, in what is called the dough state ; two days afterward, I cut several more heads, which had turned yellow from one to two inches under the head ; and two days afterward several more, when the straw was yellow its whole length. After all were thoroughly dry, I weighed each parcel carefully. The first cutting was five per cent, lighter than either of the others, and the two last were of the same weight ; the second cutting had much the best appearance. I therefore concluded that when the straw became yellow under the head, though the remainder was green, that it was in the best state for cutting. I am aware that in this opinion I differ with many per- sons, most of whom contend that wheat in the dough state ough,t to be cut ; and an English farmer contended it ought to be- cut some fourteen or sixteen days before it turned -yellow, and gave his experiments, which were published in most of the agricultural papers ; yet I am satisfied from the experiment which I made, that if cut before the straw is turned yellow under the head, the wheat will lose in weight ; and if cut as advised by the English fanner, that the whole will be sacrificed. COWS. Feeding and Management of. — The grasses, particularly the clovers, are the best summer food ; when these begin to fail, the deficiency may be supplied by green corn, which is very sweet, and produces a, large quant* ty of milk, of excellent quality. The tops of beets, carrots, parsnips, and cabbage, and turnip leaves are good. Pumpkins, apples, and roots may be given as feed fails. Give only a few at first, especially apples, and gradually increase. Roots are of great importance when cows are kept-on dry fodder. Potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips, artichokes, and vegetable oysters are good. The last three, and cabbage and turnips keep good in the ground through the winter, and are fresh and fine in the spring, before the grass starts. Carrots are among the very best roots for milch cows, producing a good, but not very great mess of rich milk, and keeping the cow in good health. Parsnips are nearly the same. To prevent any unpleasant taste in THE AGRICULTURISTS GUIDE. 126 the milk from feeding turnips, use salt freely on them, and milk Light and morning before feeding with turnips. The time and frequency of milking have a great influence on the amount of but- ter yielded by milk. If a cow be milked only once a day, the milk will yield a seventh part more butter than an equal quantity of that which is obtained by two milkings in the day. When .the milk is drawn three times a day it is more abundant, but less rich. The morning's milk is of a better quality than that obtained in the evening. Milch cows are injured by being driven far to pasture, especially in hot weather, and still more if hurried by thoughtless boys. Directions for Making Butter. — The milk should never stand more than forty-eight hours, for if properly treated, all the oily particles will have risen by that time. When the milk is skimmed every morning and night, the cream in the crock must be thoroughly stirred with a wooden spoon before and after each addition. If this is neglected, there will be a deposit around the sides, which will contract and impart a stale taste that all the after care can never remove ; and this is, I believe, the secret cause of the bad flavor of half the butter by which our markets are dis- graced — fit only for the tables of those West India people, who, it is said, prefer butter that has taste and some smell. I would use no saltpetre, no pickle, neither annato, nor carrot-juice, as color is of little importance if the flavor be good. Boiling water gives an oily taste, and so do the hands, which should never touch the butter. Working a second time, after the salt has laid in it for some hours, has a good effect, as it frees the butter from all watery particles, and gives it almost the consistence of wax. The kegs for packing butter should be made of white oak, bilging in the form of a cask,- for the more perfect exclusion of air and con- venience of transportation. If the butter is not to be sent to a warm climate, or a foreign market, let the bilging kegs have mov- able covers, to accommodate inspection ; they should be soaked in a strong brine, made also of pure salt, in order that justice may be done to the" purchaser in tare, and to save the butter from being spoiled to the depth of one or two inches, all round, from its con- tact with dry wood. If butter be packed in any wood but white oak, there is danger of its giving an unpleasant taste to the whole. For the convenience of families the size should vary from twenty- five to fifty pounds. A large keg of butter is exposed to the air for a long time while on broach in a small family ; the butter, in consequence, becomes rancid. The consumer will cheerfully pay m extra price for one hundred pounds of butter packed in four 126 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. kegs instead of one. No salt should be put on the siaes, bottom, or between the layers. If the kegs are made with covers, put a cloth over the top, and cover that with pure fine salt. Keep a cloth wet with strong brine over the butter while the keg is filling, to exclude the air. APPLES Apples for England. — Elihu Burritt, whose disinterested phi- lanthropy is so widely known now in England, is making the most diligent use of his observations in that country, and offering such hints to his countrymen at home as may be of the greatest utility to them. He " urges the people of Maine, an apple-growing state, to turn their attention to the shipment of apples to Great Britain. Apples which in Maine are permitted to rot on the ground, made into cider, or fed to hogs, are worth one dollar the bushel in many of the British seaports." He estimates the cost of sending them to England at twenty cents per bushel. Growing Apple Trees. — In the spring of 1839, 1 bought one hundred seedling apple trees for eight dollars, and paid for them in work ; I planted them out in my garden in rows, four feet apart, that I might run a plow between them, and at five feet apart, in the rows, and kept them well cultivated that season. In the spring of 1840, in the early part of March, I procured from the best orchard I could find two or three large bundles of scions, cut from horizontal branches of the last year's growth. These I buried in my garden three inches under ground, till I should want them. When the season was so far advanced that the buds on the trees began to crack open and the small leaves to appear, I dug a trench along each line of apple trees about six inches deep, and about the same width. I then bent down an apple tree, and with a fork-stick drove into the ground, held it there firmly ; then, with a sharp- pointed, strong knife, and a hammer, I commenced grafting. First, I drove the knife through the tree at the root, and made a cleft large enough to insert my scion. I then, with a sharp knife, cut my scion about six inches long, sharpened the lower end to a wedge-lite form, drove it into the cleft until the bark of the scion just met the bark of the tree, pulled out my large knife ; the split in the tree of course closed up and held my scion fast. In five or six inches I stuck in another, and continued on so until I came to tho top of the tree. I then filled up the trench with fine, loose soil, tramping it down with my feet, leaving only the upper bud out of the earth ; the top of the tree I covered up in the same way, leaving the ends of the twigs just out of the ground.. In THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. 121 this way 1 treated my one hundred apple trees, in two days' time I had finished them. I would remark that the trees were about nineteen and a half inches in diameter, and very thrifty. The scions grew astonishingly well ; of about eight hundred scions set, all grew but about twenty ; and in two years the scions had formed roots of their own, so that when I took them up, I broke off the old stalk and threw it away, and each twig of the top grew and formed roots of its own. Thus by a little industry and manage- ment, I made two hundred good grafted trees for my own use, now bearing trees, and sold one thousand frees, some for six to the dollar, and some at eight to the dollar. Early Bough Apple. — This variety is frequently above medium size. Its outline is rather longer than broad, with a stem rising to the crown of the fruit. Skin smooth, of a pale yellow hue. Flesh white, with more than ordinary juice, sweet, and well flavored, though by no means rich. It is of fair quality, and from its early maturity it is generally esteemed. — Agriculturist. All varieties of apples are derived from the crab-apple, which is found in most parts of the world. 128 THE AGRICULTURIST'S GUIDE. Summer Quebn. — This is described by Landreth as a distinct variety from the one long known around Philadelphia by the "name of Early Queen. It is of full medium size, the outline in some specimens rather longer than broad, the blossom-end occasionally quite pointed. Skin yellow, clouded, and striped, with red, so much so, in some instances, as to obscure the ground-color. Flesh yellow, rich, and aromatic. Stem long, deeply planted. Ripe in August, but fit for cooking in July. Coxe describes it as an apple of the finest quality, and of uncommonly boautiful appearance. It is certainly a superior dessert fruit, of a sprightly aroma, and is agreeable to most palates. — Agriculturist. Keeping Apples. — Apples, after they have been hand-picked in baskets, should be laid on a floor by hand, without pouring from the baskets, until they are twelve or eighteen inches deep, and be left to dry and season three weeks ; when again equally carefully packed in clean, dry barrels, they may be kept without rotting any reasonable time, and are safely sent to any part of Europe, or. the East Indies. The plan of drying and seasoning in the air before barreling prevailed generally some years ago, although at the present time it is generally thought useless. We are disposed to think that there is no better process than the one first described THE AGRICULTURISTS GUIDE. 129 for keeping apples safely till the next spring, or for sending to foreign countries, for we have always observed that on opening a barrel a few days after being put up, in ever so dry weather, that the moisture . often stands in drops over the whole surface ; and although loose barrels will allow much of it to evaporate, yet enough will be retained to cause rot. The carrying of apples in a common wagon, either before or after barreling, is injurious ; they should be moved on springs or on sleds. The least abrasion of the skin, or crushing of cells of the pulp containing the juice, allows fermentation and decomposi- tion, and the consequent decay of the whole mass. Apples will not freeze until at a temperature of from five to ten degrees below the freezing point of water, and it is beneficial to keep them as cool as possible, even down to thirty degrees. Ap- ples inclosed in a water-tight cask may be left in a cold loft or garret all winter without further care, and will be sound in the spring, and perfectly fresh. The Baldwin Apple. — The tree with us, for thriftiness, for fine form and vigorous strength — for its abundant bearing, and the beauty and long keeping of its fruit, is placed at the head of all other New England winter apples. The fruit is always fair, above 130 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. medium size, of a fine rich and yellow color. The flesh nearly tender ; in color, yellowish, rich — juicy and fine flavored ; excel- lent for the table, or cooking, and is in use from November till May. I have given the Baldwin a thorough trial in my own orchard. This year is the bearing year with me, and I have taken ninety barrels of Baldwins from trees planted twenty-eight years ago, in grass land, and kept in that state ever since. The Baldwin is preferred in Boston to any other variety for shipping. I have been credibly informed, that one person engaged in shipping fruit from this port, has this autumn purchased twelve hundred barrels of Baldwins for this purpose. — Horticulturist. Maiden's Blush. — This apple is described by Landreth, as above medium size, smooth skin, yellow, with a lively carmine cheek, and - V Excellent for drying from August to October. of an outline generally flattened. The flesh is white, tender, and admirably adapted to drying. The stem, which is short, and the eye, are both seated in a deep cavity. The habit of the tree is vig- orous, forming an open and rather spreading head. — Agriculturist. Of Orchards. — It is an indispensable requisite in all young orchards, to keep the ground mellow and loose by cultivation ; at least for the first few years, until the trees are well established. THE AGRICULTURISTS GUIDE. 181 Indeed, of two adjoining orchards, one planted and kept in grass, and the other plowed for the first five years, there will be an in- credible difference in favor of the latter. Not only will those trees show rich, dark, luxuriant foliage, and clean, smooth stems, while those neglected will have a starved and sickly look, but the size of the trees in the cultivated orchard will be treble that of the others at the end of this time, and a tree in one will be ready to bear an abundant crop before the other has commenced yielding a peck of good fruit. Fallow crops are'the best for orchards, such as potatoes, vines, buckwheat, roots, Indian corn, and the like. An occasional crop of grass or grain may be taken. Apples, as Food. — The importance of apples, as food, has not hitherto been sufficiently estimated in this country, nor understood. Besides contributing a large portion of sugar, mucilage, and other nutritive matter, in the form of food, they contain such a fine com- bination of vegetable acids, extractive substances, and aromatic principles with the nutritive matter, as to act powerfully in the capacity of refrigerants, tonics, and antiseptics ; and when freely used at the season of ripeness, by rural laborers, and others, they prevent debility, strengthen digestion, correct the putrefactive ten- dencies of nitrogenous food, avert scurvy, and probably maintain and strengthen the powers of productive labor. BUDDING. This operation may be performed with any sharp, thin-bladed knife, though one called a " budding knife," with a thin ivory han- dle, is best for the purpose. It should be inserted about half an iucn above the bud, and passing about one fourth of the way through the wood of the shoot, come out again about the same dis- tance below it, the cut being as clean as possible. The portion of the bark in the center of which the bud is situated is called the shield ; and when removed, it contains a portion of the wood, which is to be carefully removed with the point of the knife ; if the wooc is dry, and does not separate readily, it is a sign the bud is too old and it should be rejected. When the wood is too old or too young, the shield may be taken off only about one eighth of the way through the shoot, and inserted into the stock without removing the portion of the wood it contains ; this method, particularly with very young shoots, is very success- ful. If it is necessary to transport the buds to some distance, this may be safely done by cutting a portion of the shoot, and, after cutting off the foliage, wrap them up in damp moss, a few large leaves, or wet paper, when they may be kept for three or Ibur 132 the agriculturist's guide. days. In applying the bud to the stock, an incision is to be made lengthwise through the bark (but not so as to injure the wood), ttbout an inch in length ; and this is to be diagonally crossed at the top by another incision. The thin ivory handle, or back of the knife, should then be used to raise the bark, and the shield inserted within, gently pressing it to the bottom of the perpendicular incision. When it is properly placed, the portion of it above the diagonal cross should be cut off, and great care should be taken that the bud is in close contact with the wood of the stock. When this is done, bind it up with damp matting, or cotton twist, all except the bud, which must be left free to the air, but protected from the powerful action of the sun or wet, either 'of which would defeat the whole operation. In two weeks the success or failure will be known, when the bandages must be loosened, though not entirely taken away. From July to the middle of September budding may be done, choosing always cloudy weather, or a few days after a heavy rain ; but, for limited operations, any evening may be chosen, always following the indi- cation of the free parting of the wood from the bark ; for if the bark does not rise with facility, the buds are liable to perish for want of a due supply of nourishment. The buds should always be selected from vigorous young wood, that has nearly done growing. Cut off the leaves, allowing about half an inch of the footstalk t» remain for the convenience of inserting the buds. Early in the en- suing spring, the stocks on which those buds are that have taken, should be headed down to within two inches of the bud, which will then grow rapidly, and must be tied in an upright form to the portion of the stock left above the eye for that purpose. When it has made a good growth, and during the month of July or August, the stock should be cut off close to the shoot by a sloping back cut, when it will soon be covered with the growth of the wood. Those stocks that have not taken, should be grafted as soon in the spring as that operation can be performed. REMARKS ON PRUNING. Although pruning is an operation of very general practice, its principles are but little regarded, and often great injury is done to trees by injudicious management. It is an art which can not be wholly learned from books or by lectures, but requires a well- grounded knowledge of vegetable physiology, and a strict observ- ance of the modes of growth of the various kinds of trees. In order to execute with success this very important branch of arbor- iculture, it is absolutely essential to carefully observe the periods of the flow of the sap and of the appearance of the leaves, the growth THE AGRICULTURISTS GUIDE. of the branches, and the manner each kind is disposed to produce fruit ; for, ornamental and forest trees require their heads to be regulated and balanced, so that one side may not have a dispro- portionate number or weight of branches to the other, and those of trees which stand along the borders of cultivated fields often re- quire foreshortening so as to prevent their shades from injuring the crops ; and in order to preserve the vigor of fruit trees, to render them more beautiful, and to cause the fruit to be larger and better flavored, provision should always be made for a sufficient quantity of bearing-wood duly distributed in every part of the trees and properly exposed to *he air and light, and at the same time to remove all superfluous and useless branches which tend to exhaust and cause jsremature decay. The most favorable season for pruning, in general, is when the trees are in leaf and their vitality is in full action ; for, in many in- stances, as in the oak and walnut tribes, if performed during the dormant periods of the year, an incipient decay of the surface of the wound takes place, and the bark below loses its vitality, and the wound soon becomes enlarged to a considerable extent down- ward, as indicated at a, in fig. 1 ; and in addition to the spacp occupied by the branch, Fig. 1. Fig. 2. it exposes a portion of the surface of the stem, to the action of air and moisture, which in time decays, and leads to final destruction. On the con- trary, this rarely occurs in a vigorous tree that has been pruned in sum- mer, soon after the ex- pansion of the leaves, when the vital functions are in full activity, and the layer of albur- num or young wood has already begun to be formed, and which may be seen around the edges of the wound, as shown in fig. 2, by the white ring at b. As the season advances, the wound becomes more and more covered by the young wood, which, by the end of summer, will be so far ripened, as to protect the bark from the ef- fects of moisture and winter frosts. The proper time for perform- ing this operation is when the leaves have acquired one half or three fourths of their full sizes. There is another advantage, also, attending this period for pruning, in enabling the operator to free the trees from an excess of foliage, and to give proper weight and 134 THE AGRICULTURISTS GUIDE. symmetry to their heads. These principles have been deduced from experience, and are strictly in accordance with the laws of vegetable physiology. There is a prevailing opinion that, if trees be pruned when the sap is in free circulation, they will " bleed," and thereby deprive themselves of a portion of their chief food and nourishment. This " bleeding," as it is termed, can be of no essential harm to a tree, as nearly two thirds^of the sap is thrown off by' evaporation through the surfaces of the leaves, after having performed its most import- ant functions, while the other third is supposed to undergo peculiar changes, and contributes to the formation of wood, bark, leaves, fruit, etc. There is also a popular notion, that when branches are taken from a tree, so many organs of waste are cut off ; and it has been practically insisted upon, that by the excision of larg"e branch- es, the supply of sap and nourishment which went to their sup- port, would cause a proportionate increase of stem. The results of experience, it may be unnecessary to add, prove this opinion to be erroneous in principle, and that when a branch is cut off, a portion of nourishment to the stem is also cut off from the junction down- ward to the root. Every branch of a tree, of whatever size it may be, not only draws nourishment and increase of substance from the stem and its corresponding root in proportion to its size, but also supplies them in return, with a due proportion of nutriment, and by which their substance is increased ; for if an overgrown branch of a thrifty tree be pruned off, the annual increment of the diameter of the stem is found not to exceed its previous rate of growth ; or the excess, if any, is not equal to the amount of wood which had been periodically formed by the branch or branches thus separated from the stem. If the branch, whether large or small, acted merely as a drain on the vessels of the stem and root, and if the sap it derived from them were elevated to the leaves of the branch, and thence returned no farther than the origin or point of union with the stem, then the common opinion would be correct. On the contrary, however, when it is found that the 'existence and increase of every branch, twig, and leaf depend on a communica • tion with the root, and that this communication passes through the stem downward to that organ, and from it upward periodically, and, moreover, that eveiy periodical series of new vessels thus formed in the branch, has a corresponding series of vessels found "he stem from its point of emitting the branch to the root, it is iJear that a branch not only increas-js in substance by the functions jf its own organization, but must, of necessity, periodically increase U».i substance or diameter of the trunk or stem. D. Jay Browne. 'iead before the New Ynrk Farmers' Clvb, April Id, 1844. the agriculturist's guide. IN- GRAFTING. 1. In general, select your scions from the outside branches of healthy trees, just in their prime, or at full bearing, about midway in their heads, and rather on their sunny sides, where the juices of the wood have been properly digested by sun and air. Let them be the young shootings of last summer's growth ; but in old or sickly trees, take them from the most vigorous branches in the center of their tops. Grafting may be performed, however, with the shoots of the current year, as well as with those of several years' growth. 2. Cut your scions several weeks before the season of grafting arrives, in order that the stocks may advance over them in forward- ness of vegetation, and bury them, of full length, in dry earth or clay, which must be kept out of the reach of frost till required for use. 3. The best time for grafting is when the sap of the stocks is in brisk motion, which occurs in deciduous trees a few weeks before they put forth their leaves ; but reproductive evergreens may be grafted during summer as well as spring. The periods of the flow of sap should nearly coincide between the scions and stocks. 4". After making choice of the proper season, and all things are in readiness, let the operation of grafting be performed as quickly as possible. For dwarf trees, head down the stocks to within a few inches of the ground, or even below the surface. For standard trees, or those designed to obtain their full height, engraft on vigor- ous branches, situated about midway in their summits, and well exposed to the sun and air. Ordinarily, the scions may be from Dne fourth of an inch to one inch in diameter ; but if necessity re- quires, they may be much larger or smaller. Let the stocks and scions, if possible, be of the same thickness, in order that the inner bark of both will exactly unite, and facilitate the flow of the sap. The middle portion of the scion is best ; but when there is a scar- city, both the top and bottom parts may be used. Take off a little of the lower end of the scion first, and then cut it in length, so as to leave from two to five eyes or buds for the production of branch- es, always taking care to cut off the top in a slanting direction. Two eyes will be sufficient for a standard tree, but four or five are better for dwarfs which are intended to be trained. 5. For small grafts, less thai} half of an inch in diameter, adopt the whip or spike method. 136 THE AGRICULTURIST S GUIDE. % Cut the stock o with a sharp knife, in an oblique direction, without starting or bruising the bark, and the scion b in like manner of a corresponding an- gle. And then, with as little delay as possible, place the in- a ner barks of the stock and scion in perfect contact, at least on one side, and bind them fast ! together with a riband of bass or guana, as indicated at c. In this part of the process, take . particular pains and see that the junction of the two barks is not in the least displaced. 6. To protect the grafted parts from drought, air, and moisture, a layer of green cow- dung and fresh loam, well 1, mixed in equal proportions, should be applied with a trow- el or spatula, one inch thick on every side, and a little above and below the union of the stock and the scion. A mixture of three parts fine clay and one part of fresh horse droppings, well incor- porated together, may also be applied with success. A bandage of moss or tow is sometimes wound round the clay or mixture, to prevent it from cracking by the heat of the sun, or from washing away by rains. In making the incision in the side of the stock which is to receive the scion, the knife ought if possible to be entered at the base of a bud, and pass upward. The reason of this is, that the vital principle is more powerful there ; and that the germs, both of buds and root, are, in most plants, confined to the joints of the stems ; though in some, as in several varieties of the elm, they appear to be distributed equally over every part of the stem and roots. 7. For grafts, for half an inch or more in diameter, it is prefera- ble to adopt the saddle mode of grafting. Cut, with a sharp drawing knife or other instrument, the stock d, so as to leave the top in the form of a wedge, split the lower end of the scion e with a fine saw, or otherwise, and pare each side of the incision, so as to fit, when seated exactly on the top of the stock, with the inner barks in perfect contact. And then, with THE AGRICULTURIST S GUlUK. 137 a bass riband, bind the parts strongly together, as at/, and perform the opera- tion of claying as in the preceding meth- od. In grafting, as well as in transplant- ing trees, particular- ly those which are liable to be affected by the change of sit- uation, as the mag- nolias, walnuts, etc., they should always be planted or insert- ed in the same posi-i tion, with reference to the sun, as that in which they grew pre- vious to their remo- val. 8. Generally speaking, in three months or more after grafting, remove the clay, and partially loosen the bass ribands which are bound round the grafts, in order that the scions may have more room to expand. In a few weeks more, when the buds have been partially inured to the air, and when there is no danger of the scion being blown off by the winds, the whole of the ligature may be re- moved. Should the grafts have much lateral motion, caused by the wind, they should be secured to a stake or frame. All ordinary grafting may be performed by the two preceding methods, the latter of which has been successfully applied to the walnut, where the scions employed were allowed to unfold their buds and grow a few days before the operation took place ; and out of twenty-eight experiments twenty-two succeeded. There are more than thirty methods of budding and twenty of grafting. Leaving the wood upon the bark in budding is classed under grafting. There is no particular advantage in this mode. D. Jay Browne. Bead before the New York Farmers 7 Qlub, April 9th, 1844. Brown Bread. — Tate Indian meal sifted, and flour, equal parts, a cup of yeast, two spoonsful of molasses ; scald the meal, or wet it with warm milk or water , add a little salt, and place it in pans to rise. Toast without Butter. — Put in a pan a pint of mHk ; when it boils, have two table- spoons of flour dissolved in a little cold milk, and pour in ; add salt, let it scald, but not boil ; and pour it over the bread. Tea Biscuit. — Take two cups of cream, one of sour milk, a tea-spoon of salt, and one of saleratus dissolyed, and stirred in ; mix as soft as possible to roll ; cut with a tumbler, and bake in a quick oven half an hour. Harvest Drink. — Mix with fivo gallons of water, half a gallon of molasses, one quart of Tinegar, and two ounces of powdered ginger. This will make a very pleasant beverage. Cough Syrup. — Take Iceland moss, 2 ounces, 4 poppy heads, 4 table-spoonsful of barley ; put in 3 pints of water, boil down to 2, and strain it ; add 1 pound of sugar. Dose, a table- spoonful whenever the cough is troublesome. Another, boil down thoroughwort to a thick syrup, sweeten with molasses. Useful .Receipt. — We every day hear complaints about watery potatoes. Put into the pot a piece of lime as large as a hen's egg j and how watery sower the potatoes may have been, when the water is poured off the potato will be perfectly dry and mealy. Some persons use salt, which only hardens potatoes. Croup. — The following is said to be an effectual cure for this dangerous complaint in children :— A tea-spoonful of the solution of a piece of indigo about the size of a pea in a pint tumbler of milk-warm water. The juice pressed from onions is said to be excellent, given in molasses until vomiting is produced. Cholera or Bowel Complaint. — The following mixture is extensively used to check a sudden attack of this complaint :— Tincture of opium, \ oz.; do. red pepper, £ oz.; do. camphor, k do.; do. rhubarb, £ oz.; essence of peppermint, \ oz. Dose for an adult, 10 to lfl drops ; children in proportion. Cure tor Whooping Cough. — Take a tea-spoonful of fresh sweet oil ; grate in sufficient nutmeg to cover the top ; mix and administer morning and night. . Cure for Sore Throat. — Take one tea-spoonful each of red pepper and common salt, mix with vinegar, and gargle the throat repeatedly. - .^ Razor Strop. — Take a strap of harness leather, fasten each end to a straight piece oi wood— then rub upon it the flat surface of tin until smooth. It is said to be better than any patent strops. Try it. To keep Moths out of WeoLEws. — Dip a small piece of cloth in spirits of turpentine, amd lay in the chest with your clothing. Camphor, and red cedar shavings, are also good. Am Infallible Core for Lowness of Spirits . — Take one ounce of Bpirits of resolution, no eoual proportion of the oil of good conscience ; infuse into these a table-spoonful of the Baits of patience, and add thereto a few sprigs of other's woes, which grows extensively in the garden of life. Gather, also, a handful of the blossoms of hope ; sweeten these with the balm of Providence, and if possible procure a few drops of genuine friendship, but be careful of counterfeits in the ingredient of self-interest, which grows spontaneously — the least admixture of it with the above would spoil the composition. Reduce the whole to an electuary by a proper proportion of content,, flavor *vith the essence of good judg> ment, and regulate the quantity taken according to the virulence of the disease. Having tried the above receipt, we know it to be an infallible cure The Bible, the Church, the School, and the Newspaper — A Bible and a good news paper in every house, a good school in every 'listrict, and an evangelical church in everj neighborhood, and all appreciated as they shou*J be, are the sure support of virtue, mo rality, civil liberty, and pure religion. ScpLDiwo.— ; never knew one who was in the .habit of scolding able to govern a family. What makes people scold ? The want of self-government. Who are competent to govern others that do not govern themselves ? To make Yellow Butter. — Just before the termination of chaining, put in the yolk 4 aggs. It has been kept a secret, but its value requires publicity. To Pbes erve Milk. — Put a spoonful of horseradish into a pan of milk, and it will remain sweet for several days. Cough in Horses.— It is said that the small twigs of cedar chopped fine and mixed with their grain will cure a cough, and that it has been used with complete success. To Des.thoy Bkdbugs. — Lamp oil is good, but to make it more effectual, get quicksilver dud add to it, but it into all the cracks around the bed, and they will soon disappear. A New "Way to Catch Rats.— Take a smooth kettle, fill to within six inches of the to? with water, cover the surface with chaff or bran, and it will drown all that get into it. To Protect Grain, etc., from Eats. — Green elder boughs scattered in and about places A'here they are, it is said, will protect effectually against their depredations. Hen's Eggs. — Those that approach nearest to roundness produce females, while those that are more pointed produce males. A Salve for Cuts and Sores.— One ounce and a half of olive oil, two ounces of white dlaculum, and two ounces of beeswax, melted together. Wounds on Cattle. — The most aggravated wounds are easily cured with the yolk of eggs mixed with the spirits of turpentine. Bathe the part several times a day, and the cure will be effected in forty-eight hours. Killing B»rers in Trees.— Hard soap, rubbed in the tree wounded by them, will destroy effectually these nuisances to gardens and orchards. The rain will dissolve it, and cause their death. Strong ley is equally good, made of potash, 1 pound to a gallon of water. Baked Bread Pudding. — Broken pieces of bread are good, soak in milk until soft, then add two eggs to a quart, a little salt, butter, lemon peel, nutmeg, or cinnamon, and sugar Bake an hour. This is wholesome, and best for common use. Potato Pudding. — One pint and a half of boiled mashed potatoes, a tea-cup of sugar, naif a tea-cup of butter, or sweet cream, one cup of flour, one quart of milk, and four eggs Flavor with nutmeg, a little salt, and bake one hour or more. Potato Pie. — Boil sweet potatoes ; mash and strain them ; to a pint of the potatoes, add a pint and a half of milk, two eggs, sugar, a little salt, nutmeg to the taste. Apple Custard Pie. — Grate four sweet apples for every large pie, a pint and a half of milk, two eggs, sugar, a little salt, nutmeg to the taste, and bake in a quick oven A Simple Sponge Cake. — Take twelve eggs, two cups of powdered loaf sugar, the grated rind of a lemon, and half its juice ; beat to a stiff froth ; then add two cups of sifted flour, and bake in a quick oven twenty minutes. Cup Cake.— One cup of sugar, one of butter, three and a half of flour, four eggs, half a cup of cream, and half a tea-spoonful of saleratus. Pound Cake. — One pound of flour, one pound of sugar, one pound of butter, and eight eggs ; beat it well, and bake three quarters of an hour. Johnny Cakes. — Take a quart of sour milk, a tea-spoonful of salt, sifted nieal to makR a stiff batter, a tea-spoon full of dissolved saleratus. Butter a pan and bake nearly an hour. Graham or Dyspepsia Bread. — Take three quarts of unbolted wheat flour, one quart of warm water, one gill of fresh yeast, one gill of molasses, one tea-spoon of saleratus. Make two loaves, and bake one hour. Common Domestic Bread. — Take three quart* of warm milk or water, a tea-spoon of sail, and a tea-cup of light yeast ; stir in flour ,o mike a thick batter, and let it stand and rise ; if a little sour, add dissolved saleratus ■ do up tlie broad in loaves, after kneading it well, aii'l i*»t it rise again on the tins ; when light enough, bake in an oven, well heated, thre* quartet f of an hour. For biscuit, work in Hitler, an ) tin hji small. POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES, BY THE CENSUS OF 1850. STATES. Total population. Free colored. Slaves. Time of entering the Union. i $ ra S °e n It o " ° O 771,659 209,641 1 200,000 370,604 91,528 87,387 878,636 858,298 988,734 192,122 1,001,496 600,762 583,233 582,506' 994,371 395,703 592,853 684,133 317,831 488,671 3,090,022 868,870 1,977,031 3,311,681 147,555 668,469 1,023,118 187,403 313,466 1,421,081 304,226 51,687 6,192 61,632 1 20,000 {25,000 2,250 587 342,894 46,983 December 4, 1819 June 15, 1836 September 7, 1850 January 9, 1788 December 7, 1787 March 7, 1844 January 2, 1788 December 3, 1818 December 11, 1816 50,722 62,198 1702 1685 9 7,415 17,957 926 2,586 6,239 5,100 292 9,667 16,685 1,312 73,943 8,873 2,647 898 2,667 477 22,269 47,448 27,271 25,930 53,201 3,543 8,769 6,280 926 710 53,906 626 9,973 2,289 39,341 362,966 4,750 2,120 69,268 58,000 55,405 33,809 60,914 37,680 46,431 35,000 11,000 7,250 56,543 47,147 67,380 8,030 6,851 46,000 45,500 39,964 47,000 1,200 26,000 44,000 325,520 8,000 61,352 53,924 1633 1627 1565 1733 1683 1690 6 221,768 230,807 89,800 300,419 89,289 119 288,412 384.925 249,519 53,346 June 1, 1792 April 8, 1812 March IS, 1820 April 28, 1788 February 6, 1788 June 20, 1857 December 10, 1817 August 10, 1821 June 21, 1788 December 18, 1787 July 26, 1788 November 20, 1789 November29, 1802 December 12, 1787 May 29, 1790 May 23, 1788 June 1, 1796 December 29, 1845 •March 4, 1791 1775 1699 1630 1634 1620 1670 1716 1763 1623 1624 1614 1650 1788 1682 1636 1670 1756 12 Maryland* 9 8 12 5 6 7 Ohio 11 "3 26 4 9 13 1725 1607 473,026 3,687 June 26, 1788 December 29, 1848 17 Minnesota, Territory . . New Mexico, Territory Oregon, Territory Total 23,263,498 419,173 3,175,589 2 ♦The States marked thus (*)r are the original thirteen States. f Estimated. LEGAL KATES OF INTEREST. The legal rate is 8 per cent, in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. It is 7 pet cent, in New York, South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa. In all the other States it is 6 per cent. Comparative Democract of England, France, and the United States. Popula'n. No. votes. Votes to [ 28,650,000 Country. Popula'n. No. votes. p p U p n England 17,000.000 .... 630,721 .... 1 in 26 Wales 850,000 87,924 lin23 Scotland 2,800,000.... 72,720 .... 1 in 38 Ireland 8,000,000.... 98,006....! in 81 Country. Great Britain \ and Ireland, France 34,000,000.. . .260,000. . .1 inl37 United States. .20,000,000. .2,760,000.. .1 in 7 Popul'n. ,371. ..1 in 42 Army and Naw.— The Enrolled Militia of the United States numbers 2,006,068, or an average of over 60,000 to each State. 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