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important that the now well-established fact of its being virulently contagious, should be borne constantly in mind. It is also proved that it may be communicated by infection, that is, that the places occupied or the food breathed upon by diseased animals, will give it to others, especially if tainted with the mucous discharge characteristic of its more advanced stages. That there is anything essentially epidemic in the Pleuro we very much doubt, although it appears certain that cases of it may spontaneously occur where circumstances are such as peculiarly to predispose the system to its attacks, and it is probably equally certain that there may be atmospheric, climatic or other peculiarities especially favorable in certain seasons or localities to its prevalency or violence..

have the opportunity of acquainting themselves thoroughly with the disease, so as to be able to distinguish its symptoms from those of other complaints. There will then be where attack is suspected, and at once either put down some one in every locality, who can be called in quietly unnecessary fears or take proper measures to meet the exigencies of the case, without application of any sort to official authorities, or crying out through the papers that the whole cattle of a town or county are dying, before it is really ascertained whether there is one that is seriously ill. Some one qualified medical observer will be better for this purpose than three or four uninstructed and less capable visitors who would go and return in a day or two really no wiser than they went.

As to the present condition of affairs in Massachusetts, the more light we can get upon the subject, the more we incline to the opinion that for two months back there has 2. Keeping these facts in view, we remark in the second been little reliable evidence of the extension of the disease place, that the Pleuro-pneumonia is no new thing in this beyond the limits it then occupied. After a state of gencountry. In support of this assertion we refer to the let-eral commotion, whether well founded or not, there genter from E. P. PRENTICE, Esq., on page 396-showing the erally comes a season of calm, and unless we much miscourse it ran in his herd five or six years ago, and the take the tendencies of the public mind, the excitement measures which in the end accomplished its extinction. upon the Pleuro-pneumonia has already passed its highest If Mr. Chenery could have secured the services of some point. We do not know all about it, even now, it is true; one acquainted with these facts, at the time of the first but we know so much that we have no longer an ill-defined outbreak among his cattle, his own losses might perhaps goblin to contend with, but an enemy, sufficiently ugly, have been partially prevented, and, at any rate, the vast we do not deny, and by no means to be despised-but still expense and anxiety to which the whole State has since one which, if properly restrained and imprisoned, will work been put, would have been spared.* The great lesson, to out, in a great measure, his own extinction. Without which we wish to call particular attention, not only as illus- neglecting caution, there is no reason for lack of courage; trated in Mr. PRENTICE's experience, but also as directly and it is our earnest recommendation, as the best source pointed at in all the testimony taken before the Massachu- of public security, that each man attend as judiciously and setts committee, is, then, that the only safety lies in iso- earnestly as possible to the welfare of his own stock, withlating the different members of an infected herd, and that out inundating the public with surmises, or depending upon the disease may be thus in no very long time wholly driven Commissioners to kill or cure in his behalf, and upon the public treasury for a premium upon any complaint which he can distort into the guise of this troublesome and noisy invader.

-out.

3. Under the circumstances of the case in Massachusetts, for a little outline of which see the letter from our Boston correspondent-we think the action of the Commissioners should receive the cordial support of the public. The laws enacted by the Legislature are calculated to restore public confidence, and the report of the investigations now concluded, will diffuse just the needed information over the country, so that we hope to hear no more of the spread of the disease, for, should it anywhere appear, the means of keeping it in check are entirely within the reach of all.

4. It may be remarked, however, that there should be little confidence reposed in the numerous rumors of its breaking out here and there, over the country, for any affection of the lungs or other ordinary illness among cattle will be very likely to be represented as the pleuropneumonia for some time to come. Unless the opportunity for the influence of contagion or infection is clearly known to have occurred, the presumption is, in every such instance, that something else is the matter. If there is real cause for suspicion, let the endangered herd be at once separated-one, or at most two or three animals by themselves in any one field or building, and kept thus isolated at whatever cost of time and trouble, until the whole danger has passed by.

5. We trust that the Massachusetts Commissioners will at once carry out the provisions of the law for the establishment of a hospital or quarantine, by the adaptation to this purpose of some farm and range of buildings where the disease already exists, and where it may be fully studied, both in its own developments and in the action of the contagion and infection upon healthy animals introduced for the purpose of experiment, and which need by no means be of an expensive kind. The poor-house establishment at New-Braintree, where we witnessed last week the examination of some infected cows, would afford a good spot for the purpose, and investigations might there be conducted, which, so far as our reading has extended, have no prototypes in Europe with all that has there been said and done upon the subject.

6. When such a hospital is once known to exist, accessible to the visits of interested scientific and practical men, it will be very well that delegates from other States should

The Pleuro-Pneumonia here Six Years Ago.

The following is the important letter from E. P. PRENTICE, Esq., of Mount Hope, near this city, to which we allude particularly in the leading Note upon page 400 of this number of the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN :—

MESSRS. EDITORS--I notice that a good deal of alarm is felt in different parts of the country about what is called the cattle disease.

From the diagnosis given in the papers, I have no doubt this is Pleuro-Pneumonia, with which I had some acquaintance a few years ago. If it is the same, my observation and experience may be of some service to those suffering now.

It was introduced into my stock in the fall of 1853, by one of my own cows, which in the spring of that year I had sent down to my brother in Brooklyn, to be used during the summer for milk. She was kept entirely isolated throughout the summer, and in November was sent up by the boat. There were no other cattle on the boat at the time, nor could I learn that she had come in contact with any in passing through the streets on her way to the boat, and she certainly did not after leaving it, until she mingled again with her old companions, all of whom were then and long afterwards perfectly healthy. After she had been home about two weeks we noticed that her appetite failed, and her milk fell off; she seemed dull and stupid, stood with her head down, and manifested a considerable degree of languor.

Soon her breathing became somewhat hurried and with a very decided catch in it; she ground her teeth, continued standing, or if she laid down it was only to jump up again instantly. Her cough increased, and so too a purulent and now bloody discharge of mucus from her mouth and nostrils. The excrement was fetid, black and hard.

In this case we twice administered half a pound of epsom salts, and afterwards a bottle of castor oil. Very little but a temporary effect was produced by these doses.

The symptoms all increased in intensity, strength di

minished, limbs were drawn together, belly tucked up, &c., until the eighth day, when she partly layed and partly fell down, and never rose again.

In a post-mortem examination, the lungs proved to be gorged with black, fetid blood, the substance of them to be thickened, soft and pulpy. The pleura and diaphragm also showed a good deal of disease and some adhesion.

This cow on her arrival here was put into her usual place in the stable, between others. She remained there for two or three days after she was taken sick, before we removed her to the hospital.

all, thoroughly scrubbed with ashes and water, fumigated
and whitewashed with quick lime. I have had no case
since, and am persuaded I should have avoided most of
those I had before, if I had reasonably admitted the evi-
dences of my senses in the second and third cases.
Mount Hope, June 14, 1860.
E. P. PRENTICE.

MR. ALEXANDER'S SALE.

The sale took place as advertised, on the 13th inst. In about three weeks from the time she died, one and The threatening aspect of weather in the early morning then the other of those standing on either side of her were changed about 10 o'clock, and the day proved a delightful attacked in the same way, and with but two days between. one. The attendance was large, and contained a sprinkThis certainly looks very much like contagion, but my at-ling of breeders from Ohio, Indiana, New-York and Contention had not before been called to this particular dis-necticut. The prices were higher than realized last year, ease, and to suppose inflammation or congestion of the as the stock was also of better quality. It will be seen lungs contagious, was so opposed to my preconceived notions that I did not even then admit it, and these animals from the following statement, that several animals found were suffered to remain with the others until their own com- Eastern purchasers:— fort seemed to require the greater liberty of open pens.

One of them was early and copiously bled twice, while epsom salts were administered both by the stomach and with the injective pump. The other we endeavored to keep nauseated with ipecacuanha, and at the same time to keep her bowels open by cathartic medicines. All proved to be of no avail. They both died, the one in ten and the other in thirteen days. Before these died, however, others were taken sick. And thus later I had eight sick at one time.

The leading symptoms in all were the same, with minor differences, and so too was the appearance after death on examination.

In

Of all that were taken sick (sixteen) but two recovered, and they were among those we did the least for, after we had become discouraged about trying to cure them. all the last cases we made no effort at all, but to keep them as comfortable as we could.

In one case the acute character of the disease changed to a chronic, and the animal lived six or eight weeks, until the whole texture of the lungs had become destroyed. She had become much emaciated, and finally died with the ordinary consumption.

At the time the first case appeared I had a herd of thirtyone animals, all valuable Ayrshires, in fine condition and health. In all the first cases I had a veterinary surgeon of considerable celebrity and experience, and every ordinary approved mode of treatment was resorted to and persevered in. The last cases, as before intimated, we only strove to make comfortable.

Cows AND HEIFERS.

1. Orba 2d, Robt, Clarke, Ky....
2. Mary Ann 18th, G. W. Anderson, Ky.,
3. Many Ann 20th, J. B. Dun, Ky..

4. Mary Ann 22d, S. W. Robbins, Conn.,
5. Chance, 5th, S. W. Robbins, Conn.,.
6. Pearlette 2d, J. S. Johnson, Ky.,
7. Mary Cattley 2d. Ezra Cornell, N. Y..
8. Prune 3d J. B. Dun, Ky.,

9. Emma 2d, J. O. Sheldon, N. Y.
10. Filligre 4th, J. O. Sheldon, N. Y.,
11. Pearlette 3d, S. W. Robbins, Conn..

16. Mary Allen, Mr. Shields, Mo.,
17. Margaret Allen, Mr. Shields, Mo....
19. 1dle Girl, Jas. O. Sheldon, N. Y...

18 Cows and Heifers, averaging $152.63-total,

BULLS.

$100.00

77.50

125.00

150.00

205.00

295.00

130.00

85.00

200.00

190.00

205.00

12. Maid Marion 5th, S. W. Robbins, Conn.,

235.00

13. Rosamond, E. Cornell, N. Y.,
14. Lilla Languish, E. Cornell, N. Y.,
15. Eveline, J. W. Jones, Ky.,.

200.00

75.00

100.00

155.00

70.00

150,00

$2,747.50

$225.00

170.00

3. Fitz Bell, Rufus Bryant, (Shakers,) Ky.,..

102.50

4. Juniper, John Monett, Ohio,.

107.50

5. Election, Mr. Shieids, Mo.

80.00

6. Marske, J. S. Wolfork,

165.00

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1. Lord Languish, Rankin Baldridge, Ind.,.
2. Derby Duke. Merritt O'Neal, Ky..

8. Phantom, W. B. Hudson, Tenn...

9. Rataplan, D. S. Huffstotter, Ind.,
10. Morisco, C. C. Crisman, Ky.,
11. Zinganee. C. A. Stevenson, Ky..
12. Falconer, R. W. Scott, Ky.,.
13. Langar, J. R. Ward, Ky.,
14. Mogul, R. G. Dun, Ohio,
15. Peter, R. Weisiger, Texas,
16. Marion, B. C. Bedford, Ky.,
17. Fordham, John Ross, Ohio,
18. York, J. B. Wilder, Ky..
19. Hopeful, Dodd Helm, Ky.....
19 Bulls averaging $153.42-total,....

To the account of Mr. R. A. ALEXANDER's late

SALE, given above, should be added the Imported Bull "El Hakim," sold for $250 to J. R. Bryant, Pleasant Hill, Ky. A number of South-Down sheep not then reported, were also disposed of, and the following is a correct reca

After I paid the third or fourth forfeit, I began to wake up to the idea that the disease was in a high degree contagious, whether I would have it so or not, and that my future security was in prevention and not in remedy. I therefore separated all the remaining animals, in no in-pitulation of the whole : stance having more than two together, and generally but one in a place.

All were removed from the infected stables and put into quarantine. Isolated cases continued to occur for some weeks after this, but the spread of the disease was stayed, nor did a single case occur after this, which we did not think we traced directly to previous contact.

It is impossible to account for the first case of which I have spoken. But as the cow in that case was put into a sales stable in New-York while waiting for the boat, though there were no cattle then present, yet I have supposed it not unlikely that diseased animals had been there, and had

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My cattle were not suffered to return even to the barn-eggs and sugar-stir them well together-set aside till it becomes lukewarm-then season it well with vanilla, (some use yard, or to any part of the cattle barns, except as invalids brandy also) were sent to the "hospital" to die, until late the next fall -i. e. the fall of 1854. In the meantime the hay and straw had all been removed, the stables, stalls, cribs, and

Whip the cream while the mixture is setting, and skim the froth as it forms. The day before make sponge cake-the weight of eggs in sugar, and half the weight in flour. MARY.

Juquiries and Answers.

J.

ROSE BUGS.-Will you please tell me through THE CULTIVATOR, what will protect cherry trees against the ravages of the rose bug-also when to slit the bark of such trees. S. EWELL Byfield, Mass. [We know of no remedy for the insects but to kill them. When very numerous, they have been knocked off the trees on sheets and thrown into hot water. We are not aware of any advantage in slitting the bark of trees.]

CEDAR BERRIES.-When is the proper time to gather the red cedar seeds? If gathered in the fall should they be exposed during the winter? R. [A suitable time is late in fall or during winter-they may be washed off the pulp and mixed with moist sand, exposed to frosts, and planted in spring. They will grow the first and second years.]

PLASTER.-I wish to question in regard to plaster. In planting my potatoes, I experimented with plaster. On one half of the land I put a tablespoonful in each hill. The land seemed to be better than the other part; the season was dry, but the yield was much less where the plaster was used, than on the other and poorer part. I think the soil contains a mixture of iron: Would that have an effect upon the plaster? What is the opinion of your readers in regard to it? I have also sown plaster broadcast upon my mowland, and could perceive no benefit therefrom. ELIHC BROWN. Blandford, Mass [On some soils, plaster is no benefit, and it is needless to ap. ply it. We do not think it injured the potatoes, but that the diminution was owing to other accidental causes.]

YELLOW CLOVER.-Enclosed you will find a specimen of the flower and stems of a species of grass which has rooted out the clover in my fields, and in those of some of my neighbors, and which I would like to know the name of Supposing you would be likely to know, I send it to you with the request that you will give its name and the best method of eradicating it. I am plowing it under. J. W. D. Mount Holly, N. J. [The plant sent is the Trifolium procumbens, or yellow clover, an introduced foreigner, a somewhat troublesome weed in some places. Plowing under and good cultivation will eradicate it ] PAINT FOR STOPPING CRACKS.-I have an upper porch the floor of which leaks and lets the water down on to the lower floor, and it also leaks where it joins the house. Now will you tell me what to do with it? What kind of paint can I use on it, that will fill up the shrunken places, (pine,) and be permanent and cheap? M. Marshall, Ill. [We know of nothing better than white-lead paint, and where the cracks are large, the paint may be thickened to any desired degree my mixing in with fine clean sand-making it thicker acoording to the size of the cracks. This we have found excellent for all kinds of leakages in wood-work.]

INFLUENCE OF THE MOON'S SHADOW.-Some of the good old farmers here tell me there is a time, governed by the changes of the moon, for planting potatoes. transplanting shrubbery, laying fence, deadening timber, putting on house roofs, &c., &c. One thing tends to make me incredulous — that is, that some of the wise ones are governed by the changes of the moon-others by the ascent and descent of the sign. If the changes of the moon or the signs have any effect upon timber, vegetation, the soil, or anything else with which farmers usually have to deal, I should like to know what it is. Will you please inform me what the opinion of scientific men is on the subject. YOUNG FARMER. Va., June 1860. [Our correspondent will perceive by a moment's reflection, that the mere circumstance of the sun shining on this or the other side of the moon, 240,000 miles off, could not possibly have any effect on the things of this world. Careful journals have been kept for years by scientific men, and no general result could be reached, although limited observations would sometimes bear towards one rule, and again towards another, as accident happened to lead. We are aware that some farmers have favorite, notions on this subject, some one way and some another, and that being fixed in their belief, one accidental coincidence serves more to establish them, than twenty exceptions would do to upset their opinions. The light of the moon at night has been claimed by some as affecting vegetation--but as this light is but little more than half a millionth part that of the sun, a single day of sunlight would do more good than all the light of the moon from the days of Adam until now.]

PRESERVING FRUIT IN ALCOHOL.--Will you please inform me how to put up cherries, currants, &c., in spirits, so as to preserve and not take all the color out of them? I have tried brandy and diluted alcohol, but they take all the color out; and I have seen them colored very naturally, and would like

to know how-and likely many of the readers of the Co. Gent would be benefitted by the information SUBSCRIBER. Barnesville, Ohio [Will some of our readers who possess practical skill, please give us a description of the process, at an early day ?]

BONE DUST FOR TURNERS.-In last Co. Gent. a correspondent wishes to know what the effect of sulphated bones is on turneps. I have not used any of it, but have the dust. Last summer I sowed 200 pounds of dust on 70 square rods of ground. Product 200 bushels of the finest turnips that I ever saw-got plenty that weighed five pounds with the tops and roots cut off. Some of the seed came up where no dust was sown, and the turnips were not as big as a silver dollar; havo used four tons of it on grass, and see the effects in a much greater yield. M. GowDY. O'Bannon's, Ky.

COLEBROOK SEEDLING POTATO.-A writer in The Homestead, speaks of this variety as an excellent table potato, especially for summer use. He says, "They are large, smooth, very productive, and free from rot. At this season, when potatoes begin to grow soggy and distasteful, these are dry as meal and pleasant to the taste." We would be glad to know more of this variety from those who have grown and used them. TYRO.

SUDDEN DEATH OF SHEEP. As we have received much valuable information from the Co. Gent, I now write to solicit information on a subject that may perhaps prove pecuniarily interesting not only to myself, but to many of your readers. For the past few weeks I have been losing my sheep, and am at a loss how to account for their death. Those that I have noticed before death, have a frothing at the mouth and bowels much distended. They are in fine condition, and on opening them could find nothing indicative of poison or disease. We have lost sheep from eating Ivy, all of which turned green before they died, or in other words their flesh assumed a greenish hue. The flesh of those I have lost recently, has its natural color. We have examined the field, (which is clover and blue grass,) and could find nothing that I would consider poisonous to a sheep. Any information that you or your readers can impart on the subject, will be gratefully received. Mont. Co., Md. JAS. E JONES.

PLACK ANTS.-Will the editor please inquire through the columns of the Country Gent., if there is any remedy for the common small black ant in gardens, as mine is almost overrun with them; the leaves of the flowers looking as if they had been pierced with an awk, and I can find nothing else to charge the destruction to but these ants. Mrs. D. C. NYE. [We have never been seriously troubled with ants, and therefore give briefly such remedies as we have heard recommended, with the request that our readers will furnish such as they know to be better: smear the inside of a vessel with honey, and invert it over their nests or places of most frequent resort, and when covered with them, jar them off into boiling water. Flour sulphur sprinkled on their haunts is said to repel them. Spirits of turpentine, poured on their hillocks destroys or disperses them Bottles partly filled with sweetened water attract them, and imprison and drown them.]

BUTTER DAIRY.-Will you please give in the columns of your journal a plan-with cost-estimate of a butter dairy and ice-house, which will accommodate the milk of thirty to fifty cows. Situation, a hill slope on north side of dwelling. A small stream of spring water is near at hand which I can easily introduce into the house, and on the north a yard where I propose keeping my swine. A. B. [We should esteem it a favor if some of our readers in the dairy districts, who have given attention to the erection of such dairies as our correspondent inquires for, would furnish us a plan or design, with accompanying explanations and estimates.]

BLOOD SPAVIN.-I have a valuable mare who has a blood

spavin (as it is called,) forming, and I would be glad to know if there is any cure, remedy, or relief for the disease. There is now a swelling of about the size of a hen's egg, near the center of the joint, which, after considerable exercise, will disappear, but return again with the usual stiffness whilo standing in the stable. Can anything be done to help it? Bath, Me.

K.

HYDRAULIC RAM.-Could you or any of your subscribers give through the CULTIVATOR a description or an engraving of a hydraulic ram, capable of raising water 100 feet, with the price and where it can be bought? AN OLD SUBSCRIBER. [We have so often published engravings and descriptions of this apparatus that our best way is probably to refer the inquirer directly to the implement catalogue of almost any extensive dealer. For example, Emery Brothers, or W. W. Eggleston of this city, would probably supply him at once with all needful particulars.]

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] OATS AND CARROTS TOGETHER.

MESSRS. EDITORS-I notice in the Co. GENT. of May 17, REPORTER wishes to learn the experience of those who have tried the experiment of raising oats and carrots together. As it is a rainy day I feel tempted to comply with the request, and give my experience upon the subject. It is some six years ago May 1, that, after sowing a piece of oats, I sowed about an eighth of an acre to carrots, by way of experiment. The ground was a sandy loam, in corn the year before, and well manured. The oats were sowed broadcast by hand, and the carrot seed by a seed sower. The oats were very heavy, and some of them lodged. After harvesting the oats, the horse and small plow were passed twice between the rows, which were about the distance we usually plaut corn. The carrots were then carefully hoed and weeded by hand, and a little home-made poudrette applied to each plant, and the poudrette covered with a little loose earth. Little or nothing more was done to the carrots until harvest. Product, 51 bushels. I have not continued the practice, because I do not think oats a profitable crop for me to raise, except where I wish to sow clover or other grass seed. I seldom fail to get good clover after oats, and I am pretty sure to get good herds grass and red top after clover, unless it is some dry, sandy plain. Clover fails after being mowed one season. Chicopee, Mass.

M. 8. K.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] DISINTEGRATION OF SOIL.

No discovery has been so important in its results since the invention of the plow, as that of underdraining in the preparation of the soil. And the requirements of the soil in respect to its drainage, should be inquired into even before the plow is ready for action. The first of all duties in the preparation of land, seoms to be that of ridding it of superfluous moisture, so that no standing water may remain about the roots of plants, keeping them continually cold and wet, but that they may stand in dry ground, and a warmer temperature be made to pervade the soil as far as the roots of plants usually go.

Open drains of very ordinary character, show clearly the value and necessity of such a change when the ground is not naturally dry. As soon as this is accomplished, wherever it is necessary, the soil is to be broken for cul ture; and the deeper the better-not that the lowest soil, to the depth of three feet or more, should be turned side down above the surface soil, but loosened; mixed it may be, with sand or gravel, if too clayey and hard.

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The experience of every day in gardening, makes it as plain as the nose on a man's face that plants delight in and are benefited by growing in a loosened subsoil, where all their energies are not at task to enable them to push their slender roots through the hard clay. It is a marvel that they are able to make any growth in such soil, and we wonder that they live at all, since naturally grown plants are of little value when compared with their im proved condition under cultivation; and it was not designed that plants should perfect their character and the amount of their productions without cultivation, but that they should develop their perfections under the intelligence and ingenuity of man. When growing in a hard subsoil, (though the effect is not so apparent upon forest trees of large size,) little nourishment can reach the lower fibers from the surface of the soil, and they must be compelled to feed almost entirely by means of their upper

fibers and rootlets.

ly possible. Successful nurserymen and fruitgrowers, who make large trees, in a few years, out of smail ones, and even from seed, (as is oftener the case,) and cover them with fruit, or load them with rich foliage, are careful to attend to trenching and drainage. They will show you trees of five years growth, exactly twice the size under this management as under the common mode of letting them take care of themselves and do their own subsoiling; and will tell you the latter mode of procedure, is like casting a child of early age upon the world to attend to its own support and education.

Trenching in gardening, and subsoiling in field culture, combined with underdraining, is a sure protection from the effects of drouth.

G. P. 8.

Draining---Its Importance and Results.

The following is one of the numerous letters written by our correspondent, JOHN JOHNSTON, in answer to the many private inquiries addressed to him. We copy it from the Chester Co. (Pa.) Times, to which paper it was communicated by the gentleman to whom it was addressed:

C. F. TAYLOR, Esq.-In answer to your questions respecting the increase of crops by draining, you must be aware that it will depend wholly upon how wet the land is before draining. For instance, I purchased ten acres from a neighbor of mine some fifteen years ago, in order to get an outlet for a number of my drains. That land would not produce any kind of grain,-at least, not half enough to pay the cost of tillage. My first crop, which was corn, was a very large one, and the proceeds therefrom were sufficient to pay the expenses of draining, as well as the cost of the land. On a field of twenty acres, which I have owned for nearly thirty-nine years, I could neither raise corn or winter wheat before draining; but my first crop of corn after draining, yielded over eightythree bushels of shelled corn to the acre, and that is a very great crop for this part of the country. In fact, I don't think it was ever equalled for the same number of acres together, in Western New-York. This field has been drained about twenty years, and last harvest I got a plump thirty-five bushels of wheat per acre, which was sown on barley stubble, once plowed.

My neighbor, from whom I bought the ten acres above referred to, was greatly opposed to draining at the time; after thorough drainage, he commenced draining his own Almost every farmer in land, with equally good success. this neighborhood has done more or less tile-draining. We have a great many tile-works now,-I believe eight within about six and a half miles of where I write. Some of the machines are worked by steam-power, some by horsepower, others by hand, and yet a great many more tiles would be used, if they were made. Some farmers are draining with stones, where they cannot get tiles; but the drains has to be a great deal wider, and costs about double latter are by far the cheapest, because the ditch for stoneof those for tiles; then, the laying of the stones costs half as much as tiles cost here.

but when he saw the corn and wheat I raised on the land

I am not one of those who believe that all land requires draining; still, much more requires it than any man can suppose who never drained any. A good way to prove whether land needs draining or not, is to dig a hole or holes, say two and a half to three feet deep; and if, at the end of eight or ten hours, water stands in them, your land needs draining, and will pay for it. In protracted drouths, however, the water may be dried out of land which at other times would be too wet for tillage.

By thoroughly loosening the subsoil and trenching it deeply, when united with thorough draining, the manure Believing that thorough drainage is the foundation of at the surface has gradual access to the spongioles of the all good husbandry, and that the farmers of this country lower roots of the plant; and the roots, on account of the are but half awake, as yet, to the importance of it, I am openness of the subsoil, are not forced to retard the ex-glad to see the increased interest manifested in the subpansion of the plant above the surface, but increase in ject, in different parts of the country. Twenty-one years equal proportion; moreover the air has access to the sub-ago, I was the only man using tiles on this continent, and soil, and permeates it more or less, changing the charac- there was but one person manufacturing them; now, the ter of offensive matter, and neutralizing acids injurious to demand for tiles wherever a machine has been erected, the growth of the plant. Too thorough trenching is hard-cannot be met. JOHN JOHNSTON

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] PEARS ON QUINCE STOCKS.

single spot of canker, while those, as I have said above, on the deeply rooting pear, are much cankered, thus showing how necessary it is in cold soils to keep the roots of trees on the surface.

I have been much interested by the excellent practical articles in your columns on pear culture, by "G. P. Norris," "C. Smith," and, above all, by "T."-the latter has indeed left nothing to say.

SAWBRIDGEWORTH, ENGLAND, MAY 16, 1860. Some months since I remember seeing in the columns of your excellent and interesting journal, an inquiry whether my plantation of Louise Bonne pears on quince stocks, was still in being. I have much pleasure in saying that my trees, now twelve years old, are perfect pictures of fertility, being at this moment, (May 16th,) just on the eve My idea of planting pears for profit may, however, be of setting a most abundant crop of fruit, as we have not worth giving to your readers. A small plantation, well had any late spring frosts to injure their blossoms. My done, is infinitely preferable to covering several acres with plantation of this sort numbers just 2,000 trees. They trees planted thinly ana baaly. I will merely say what I stand five feet apart in the rows, and 24 feet apart row should do were I in your country, and about to make a from row, standing north-east and south-west. The spa- pear plantation for market. I should begin with an acre ces between the rows are occupied with young fruit trees, of good loam, rather inclined to clay than sand. I should mostly trained trees for espaliers and walls, and as these mark out my rows from north-east to north-west, so that are highly manured, the pear trees partake of the benefits the mid-day sun would shine between the rows. of such cultivation, and I may add interfere but little with the usual nursery operations in educating espaliers and pyramids. You must understand by educating I mean the pruning, training, and biennial removal of such, for in this country, trees full of blossom buds, and roots a perfect mass of fibres, so as to bear the first season after removal, are much desired and well paid for. This I call education, which is carried on four, six or eight years before the trees are sold.

When I planted my Louise Bonne pears five feet apart tree from tree in the rows, I calculated on removing every alternate tree at the end of five or six years; but to my agreeable surprise their side branches do not nearly touch, and I begin to think they may remain as they are for several years to come. My pruning.is very simple; every year after the fruit is gathered, the shoots of the preceding summer are shortened to about four inches, or from two to four inches, with pruning scissors. The trees that are not very vigorous, the latter length. If they were fancy trees, I should in June pinch in closely the shoots inclined to be vigorous, at the upper part of the tree; but I now tell my simple practice, because it answers well, and can be done by any good laborer.

I should plant my trees six feet apart, tree from tree in the rows, and eight feet apart row from row; an acre will hold at this distance, about 850 trees. The space between the rows I should keep stirred with the horse-hoe all the summer, and between the trees I should use the hand-hoe. The mode of planting, manuring, &c., &c., is so well given by "T." that scarcely a word is required.

As to choice of sorts, this must be according to climate and experience gained; but Louise Bonne as a market pear is unrivaled. The Bartlett, or Williams', is here almost too fleeting. A pear likely to be very valuable for market, coming after Louise Bonne, is Doyenné du Comice, and Beurré Superfin, although rather a thin bearer when young, will prove of great value, as it bears freely when six or seven years old. The Beurré Hardy is a robust grower-its fruit very large and handsome, and of excellent quality; it is quite worthy of a trial. Another pear likely to be of consequence to your growers, is Beurré Clairgeau; this keeps well through November, and is "very good," and most beautiful. To make it quite safe, it should be double worked on some good growing sort, such as Beurré d'Amalis, or best of all, Prince Albertthis is the most free-growing pear on the quince known, the union with the stock is so perfect.

THOS. RIVERS.

As usual with beginners, I made some mistakes in I shall bud this season, 10,000 of this kind merely for planting, for a part of my plantation was made before the ground was trenched, so that after that operation I found double working, and your nursery-giants (for they are not my trees too deep in the ground, and too near the clay-men,) will soon work 100,000 annually for the same purthese I had raised, and now they are all right. I still hold pose. In short, with, I think I may say, the majority of our fine pears, this system of double working is the only to the proper medium in planting, and cover the stock up to the junction with the pear, but not over it. I will tell way to make their culture quite safe. Yours truly, you why. Some few trees which were covered over the junction, struck root from the pear immediately, putting forth large roots, which penetrated the clay subsoil to the depth of six feet-growing vigorously, but bearing but few fruit. These trees are better looking than those confined to the quince stock; their leaves are greener, and their shoots (much inclined to canker) are stronger, for owing to my soil being highly calcareous, the leaves on the other trees on quince roots are inclined to be yellowish, and the fruit of a bright crimson, of high flavor, and perfectly beautiful. I give these trees, biennially, a surface dressing of soot, in a circle round each tree three feet in diameter; this corrects the tendency to turn yellow, and seems to answer 'well. In the neighborhood of Paris, thousands of pear trees on the quince may be seen with a yellow tinge on their leaves, owing, as in my case, to the calcareous soil. It is to me very interesting to find all my Louise Bonne pears confined to the quince stock, without a

WHITE CLOVER IN PASTURES. The growth of white clover on soils natural to its production, may be encouraged and promoted by a top-dressing of plaster and ashes. Its chief value is for pasture, as it is of too dwarf a growth to give much of a hay crop, A writer in the Boston Cultivator says "there is an advantage in pasturing white clover which does not strike every farmer. Each joint furnishes a fresh root, (and of course a fresh plant,) whenever such joint comes in close the thicker it will spring up. contact with the soil, consequently the more it is trodden Hence one reason why it grows most luxuriantly near the bars and gateways of our pastures, where cattle often congregate."

Many farmers have observed this last mentioned fact without getting hold of the reason thereof. The natural a matter of curious interest to the naturalist and the fargrowth of various grasses, self-sown upon all our soils, is mer observant of nature.

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