from which the ice water settles into a small reservoir below, and is drawn off by a stop-cock. DISCUSSIONS AT THE STATE FAIR. provement is the attached revolving rake, the teeth of ice water. The ice is placed in a hopper-like box or vault, which are protruded on the lower side, and withdrawn on the upper side, by a simple and ingenious contrivance, the teeth being set on an axle nearer the lower side of the hollow case through which they are thrust in operation. Hickok's neat and simple cider press, and Emery's efficient one, were in operation-the latter with its three screws acting together, operates with great satisfaction. The excellent cider mill of Krauser's invention was exhibited by C. E. Pease, of Albany. Among horserakes, Houston & King's wire-tooth wheel rake appeared to be one of the best, the workmen riding on a seat, and moving a lever for the deposite of each load of hay. A simple contrivance of value, was Prindle's patent clevis pin, quickly put in a whiffletree, and incapable of dropping out while in use. This little convenience cannot fail to be appreciated by plowmen and teamsters. There was a good display of farm wagons and carts from different contributors, and also several beautiful specimens of pleasure carriages from James Goold & Co. of Albany. Brown's improved wagon brake, of which a model was exhibited, both as applicable to sleighs and wagons, is so made as to operate whenever the weight is sufficient to drive the load forward on the horses. However perfect or otherwise this form of construction may be, the principle of a self-acting brake is an important one, and should not be lost sight of. The cast-iron feed trough, manufactured by Milton Alden of Auburn, is a neat, simple and convenient contrivance; one half of the trough being alternately covered with a convex cast-iron lid, so that the animals may be excluded until the feed is deliberately placed in the trough. At the State Fair at Elmira, meetings for discussion were held in the evenings, at which much interesting informa tion was elicited. On Tuesday evening the subject discussed was the culture of Indian corn. The Hon. T. C. PETERS of Genesee Speakers were limited to ten minutes. county, presided. Mr. BRAINARD of Attica, N. Y., plants corn on an inverted sod. Spreads the manure on the sod and plows it in. Does not "hill" the corn. Thinks corn fodder valuable. Cuts up the corn at the roots. In a good season this gives most corn. In a poor season there is not so much gain as compared with topping. Never knew the full value of cornstalks till last winter, when fodder was so scarce. He chaffed his stalks and straw two-thirds stalks and one third straw. His horses did well on it. Horses fed on corn leaves never had the heaves. T. C. PETERS said chaffed stalks were good for horses. He did not believe in deep plowing for corn. He would like to hear from others on this point. Mr. BROCKLAND of Duchess county, tried an experiment two years ago. He drew out 12 loads of manure per acre on a one year old clover sod. He then threw the land up into ridges four feet apart, and, as understood, then cross-plowed so as to form hills four feet apart, with the mannre in the centre. He had 71 bushels on an acre, and the whole field of ten acres averaged 62 bushels per acre. He planted the eight-rowed Canada corn. handful of plaster and ashes in each hill. Thought this method of culture would give large crops-but it was too much labor for general adoption. Put a S. WALRATH, Canton, St. Lawrence county, thought corn a more profitable crop than hay, which was the prin cipal crop in his county. Planted his corn on greensward, 34 feet apart each way. Hen manure excellent for corn. Had raised 80 bushels per acre. He planted the small A great number and quite a diversity in construction, eight-rowed and King Philip varieties. Cultivates by uscharacterized the collection of straw-cutters. Those working the horse-hoe both ways. Does not hill. ing by horse power must ultimately be resorted to by farmers, as a hand-machine is too slow in its work for a large or even a moderate herd of animals. Those working by a rotary cut must therefore be regarded as most valuable. Among these, we were especially pleased with Mumma's patent machine. The four knives cut with the cylindrical inotion, and their exterior is made to form a portion of a true cylinder, the interior only being ground off in sharpening, which always leaves the cutting edge at the same exact line, and hence this cutter is always "in order" until the knives are worn out. It crushes the stalks in the act of passing them through the feeding-rollers. It may be worked with horse power, and cuts three-eighths of an inch long. The price is thirty dollars. Another good revolving cutter was Cumming's patent, the knives of which cut upwards, and thus avoid the accumulation of sand and dirt on the bed, which dulls the cutters. These machines have a neat and compact appearance. Two other kinds, of similar construction, were exhibited by A. Gordon of Rochester, besides which there were a number of others, of various degrees of merit, and many operating the lever or single knife. DOMESTIC HALL had about the usual display of the various kinds of household furniture, and numerous articles of domestic manufacture. POULTRY HALL was well filled with a good display of domestic fowls; the VEGETABLE HALL was rather meagre, but had some excellent specimens; and DAIRY HALL was well furnished with butter and cheese, and many specimens of grains and grass-seed. It afforded gratification to observe the increased number of contrivances for relieving domestic toils, and among them several butter workers, a large number of washing machines, and a variety of churns. Doubtless among all these, some will prove on trial (the only sure test) to be really valuable. Palmer's extensive silk and thread reels, made of stiff wire and neatly constructed, and sold at , about 50 cents each, appeared to a good household contrivance. Among sewing machines, that of Ladd, Webster & Co. attracted much attention for its handsome stitch and the facility with which it sews thin muslin, and thick leather, even the fourth of an inch in thickness. Bartlett's Refrigerator is a well arranged and apparently an admirable contrivance for keeping fresh ments, fruits, &c., and affording at the same time a constant supply of JOHN S. PETTIBONE of Manchester, Vt., thought the value of cornstalks for fodder depended on the number of "nubbins" the boys left in at husking! Would not top corn if he had grass enough. If grass was scarce would cut up the corn. Corn that is topped makes good fodder. The stalks, when topped, of a crop of corn that would yield 40 bushels per acre, are equal in value to a ton and a half of hay. When corn land is left bare in winter the strong winds blow off the fine soil, and on the side hills much of the richest portion of the soil is washed away. By topping the corn and leaving the butts standing on the land, this blowing and leaching is prevented. If he had regard simply to the amount of fodder he could get, he would cut up the corn at the roots; if he had regard to the soil, he Would top the corn. S. WALRATH thought cutting up gave more fodder, and thus enabled you to keep more stock, and to make more manure, and thus enrich the land. The increase of manure thus obtained would more than compensate for the injury done by blowing and washing. Gen. MARSHALL of Wheeler, Steuben county, thought farmers made a great mistake in being in such a hurry at planting time. They thought every year they would do better next time, but when the time came they were in just as great a hurry as ever. It does not pay to let boys do the planting. It would be more profitable to pay a man that would do the work properly, $5.00 a day. His soil was a gravelly loam. He drew out coarse manure on clover sod, and then turns it in as deep as he can and do the work well. Then rolls if necessary, and harrows till the ground is in good condition. Plants four feet apart each way. He smears the seed with soft-soap heated in a kettle, and then dries it till planted. The soap softens the seed and causes it to germinate more readily, while taring, he would plow just as deep, and no deeper than the retards germination. He hoped farmers would try soft-best soil went. If the land had been plowed deep before, soap and we hope so too. The idea strikes us favorably, and was rich to that depth, he would plow that depth, but Had used heu manure mixed with unleached ashes, half he would not turn up raw, poor soil for corn. In plowing and half, a handful in each hill, with good effect. On the be careful to cover all grass and weeds. The distance of right kind of land corn is the most profitable crop a farmer planting depended on the richness of the soil, and on the can raise. Feeds the stalks to his cows. In reply to a variety. Here the object should be to plant a variety that question, he said he never fed stalks to sheep. Gives his is sure to ripen, even if it is small. Plants such a small, sheep straw, with a little grain. early variety in drills three feet apart, and 20 inches apart in the drills, leaving three plants in a hill. In regard to hoeing; the soil here is apt to crust over and he liked to break this crust nearer the hill than could be done by the horse hoe. At the west the corn shot up rapidly, and hand hoeing was unnecessary. He thought good stalks were better than poor hay, but that there is as much virtue in an acre of cornstalks as in an acre of hay is ridiculous. Hay will fatten cattle, stalks will not. Mr. PLUMB of Onondaga County, prefers a clover lay of two years old. Plows under twenty loads of manure per acre. Does not plow more than six inches deep. Har rows and then puts on a two-horse cultivator. Plants three feet apart each way. Uses a horse-hoe freely, but does not hand-hoe, at least but very little. Uses ashes and plaster. Expense of cultivation from $8 to $10 per acre. Does not like much hill. Will not pay to handhoe much. Has raised from 180 to 185 bushels of ears per acre. Thinks corn more profitable than any other crop he raises. Does not top his corn; cuts it up by the roots. Thinks the fodder very valuable. Last year, on the stalks from ten acres of corn, he kept 150 sheep and twelve cows to the 1st of March. They had access to a straw stack. Raises the large eight rowed yellow corn-ears from eight to twelve inches long. In reply to a question, he said he had raised the white variety but liked the yellow better. Does not like the Dutton. Second Evening--Sheep Husbandry. JOHN WADE of C. W., stated that he finds it advantageous to feed well,-gives his sheep "all they want," but has never measured the quantity. He prefers the long-wooled breeds, and shears about 8 lbs. of washed wool per head. In order to keep up the vigor and hardiness of the Leicesters, he has to cross them with the larger and stouter Cotswolds. He remarked that Bakewell procured all the best animals he could find around him, and T. C. PETERS spread the manure out on sod-land in the bred from them in-and-in, which injured their stamina, fall, and plowed it under in the spring four inches deep. and rendered necessary a resort to Cotswold blood. He had tried planting three feet apart each way and three JOHN S. PETTIBONE of Vermont, had long been conand a half one way and three feet the other. The thick vinced that for a farmer who has but 50 or 75 sheep, it is planting gave most fodder, but less in proportion to the best to keep the larger mutton breeds; but for a flock 300 stalks. He chaffs his fodder. Has tried an experiment to 1,000, the fine-wooled would be the most profitable. to determine the relative value of cornstalks and timothy A common cause of failure is in allowing the animals to hay. Both were chaffed and steamed. The cows having run down in condition in autumn, at a time when the the cornstalks gave the most milk. The great secret of amount of feeders has increased by the growth of lambs, success in corn culture is to have the ground made very and the feed lessened. He regarded it important to have fine before planting. Never hills his corn. Never handplenty of pasture and hay, which will maintain a good hoes, except to kill Canada thistles. In reply to a ques-condition, but remarked "grain will do no hurt." He tion, he said he would not save his manure from the spring keeps them close and well sheltered during winter, and crops for the sake of applying it in the fall, but would use never lost but two lambs, which were by accidental injury. all he had on hand in the fall. He liked to make all the He said that one great secret of success was to attend to manure he could during the summer. their flocks personally, and good care would be the result SOLON ROBINSON, of the New-York Tribune, was called he never knew a man to look at his pig while it was out, and said he had purchased what was called a "worn-feeding unless it was fine and fat-the man who has poor " farm in Westchester county, because he was tired of animals always gives the food and then runs away. living on the pavements of New-York. Some of the land never sells his best, but always keeps his best sheep-he had not been plowed for thirty years. He put in the plow keeps a record, and has them all registered, and no one as deep as he could get it for the stones, and then followed can buy of him any that are marked "best." He does not with a subsoil plow. He drilled in the corn, in drills three like excessively gummy sheep, and has known one to shear feet apart, and dropped the seed ten inches apart in the 22 lbs., but give less wool when washed than a cleandrills. He planted the Improved King Philip variety, wooled one of 13 lbs. ; yet many differ from him, because which was the best he had ever seen in the State of New-every one thinks "my sheep are best." He said gummy York. The season was very dry, and the corn did not do sheep are less protected from the cold, and are as tender much at first, but he had a splendid crop after all. as a cabbage-plant, and shiver in winter like a man with cut it up (this year) the middle of September. He would fever and ague. cut up as soon as the best ears are well glazed. The fodder from this crop of corn was worth more per acre than the best crop of hay per acre in his neighborhood. If cut rather green and well cured, and afterwards chaffed, he thought cornstalks as good as the best timothy hay for horses and cattle. A gentleman at Springfield, Mass., had informed him that he had proved by actual experiment, that nine pounds of cornstalks chaffed and steamed were equal to twenty-five pounds fed in the usual way. out He He BAKER of Urbana, Steuben Co., has kept finewooled sheep-his management is to give his lambs a very little grain beginning in October, and continuing till winter-he then yards them where there is always a supply of water, feeds them in racks twice a day just what they will eat and no more. He has never raised the coarse-wool breeds-his fleeces are not guminy, and yield 4 to 4 lbs. per head, and sometimes more He winters 400 head in a barn divided into three parts by a low board fence. The The Hon. A. B. DICKINSON of Steuben Co., was loudly proceeds of his flock vary considerably, but average about called for. He thought climate had as much to do with two dollars per head annually. He is very particular to the culture of corn as soil. The soils of England are as feed them always at the same time of day, with great good as in this country, but they could not grow corn. regularity. He gives straw only a part of the time-if The climate was not hot enough. This very valley in given constantly, he would add grain. He maintained which we are now, is one of the best corn growing regions that there is nothing like a flock of sheep to keep up the in the country. It requires more labor to grow corn here fertility of land; has kept 800 sheep a year on something than in the Sciota or the Miami valleys, but he had never less than 200 acres of land, including the hay and pasture seen as heavy crops there as here and in Western New- for them; and has made the land so fertile as to raise 120 York. He had bought thousands of acres of corn in the bushels of shelled corn on an acre. He feeds potatoes, western States, but never saw a crop of 60 bushels per acre beets, or carrots, to the ewes 20 days before lambing, and that weighed 60 lbs. per bushel. Has seen a crop here of regards potatoes as the richest food, and beets the easiest 120 bushels per acre. In regard to deep or shallow plow-raised on his land. but that on a light soil, the sheep manure might be best. SOLON ROBINSON said the South-Down brings the best price in New-York city,-and next to these, the long wool sheep of Canada-that generally the largest carcass (such as had been asserted as "only fit for the tallow chandler") brought the highest price per pound. Common buteliers did not distinguish the difference," their taste was to make the most money they could,"-but a class of firstrate retail market butchers pay a higher price for the best. He stated that early lambs, well fattened on grass, from New-Jersey, brought, first in the season, five dollars per head, and afterwards three to four dollars-and that a distinguished farmer up the river buys western ewes, breeds with them from his South-Down rams, and sells both in autumn for about $7 for each ewe and lamb. Raising Corn and Oats. Gen. HARMON of Monroe Co., commenced sheep hus-some have yielded 8 lbs. He thinks they are a cross of bandry with the fine-wooled or Merino. After a few years, Cotswold and Leicester, and says they have a compact he crossed with Leicester,-then gave up the cross, and fleece, and not loose and open, as had been previously obreturned to the fine-wools. He greatly prefers the latter jected to. He would prefer to have the sheep eat off his crop on his fertile wheat lands; finds their compact fleeces will of clover and yield their manure, to plowing in the green keep the water out, and for this reason are hardier than crop. the long and open-wooled. When he first crossed with L. F. ALLEN thought on heavy soil it would be best to the latter, he gave twenty-five dollars for the use of a long-plow in the clover-that it would render the son houserwool ram for 25 ewes, and then bought for $50 another ram of the same kind, but would have made money had he given $50 to the man to keep him away. That was the amount of his experience with long-wool sheep. He does not allow ewes to have lambs under three years, and the fleeces average about five pounds. From 330 sheep he sold the last two years $700 worth of wool yearly--two years ago he had about 100 lambs, which he sold for $200, making $900 yearly proceeds. He occupies less than 200 acres, with mixed husbandry, feeds but little hay, but straw, corn, oats, and some bran-feeds in racks made of upright sticks set in holes bored in plank, nine inches apart, where the animals eat'quietly without molesting each other. He washes the fleeces on the sheep till the water runs clear from them, and shears five to eight days afterwards. Shearers offered to do the work for six cents per head or for $1.75 per day-he accepted the former, but so large were the fleeces that they could make but $1.50 per day. He has fed his flock on 25 acres of reclaimed swamp, but remarked "there is no tallow in this land," it would merely keep the sheep but would not fatten them. LEWIS F. ALLEN of Black Rock, stated that he had kept sheep about 25 years, and that he has found it to depend entirely on circumstances whether sheep raising, or coarse or fine wooled animals are profitable. He related the anecdote of the builders of the city wall-the mason advised stone, the carpenter wood, while the tanner thought the wall would be toughest if made of sole leather. So every man had his preference with sheep. It is important to look to circumstances-along the line of the railroads and near cities the South Down sheep are best, being easily sent to market as mutton-in more remote regions he would select the Merino. He sells the South Down at $5 or $6, and sometimes $8 or $9, per head, and his lambs for $2.50-the wool at 40 cents per pound. In answer to a question whether he could distinguish different breeds by the taste of the mutton in thin slices, he said he could and remarked that fine wooled animals secreted much grease and thus prevented proper perspiration, and that he could "taste the wool" in the meat.* He does not like the larger coarse wool animals, remarking that Canadians, who raise them so largely, have their foreign predilections-he had seen ewes of these sorts in Canada weighing 200 lbs. and rams between 300 and 400 lbs., "and as fat as they could roll "-he defied any man to eat a full meal of them -they were sent to the St. Nicholas and other large hotels in New-York, made a great show on the tables, and were much admired, but only a pound or two could be eaten off of a twenty-five pound piece, and the rest went to the tallow chandler-one might as well try to eat a cake of tallow. Roots should be fed cautiously to sheep, or they will scour, the danger being greater here than in England. The Chairman (T. C. PETERS) said in explanation of his remarks on a previous evening, that the field planted in hills three feet apart was good-but in the field three and and a half feet apart the ears were larger, and there was consequently more corn for the number of stalks, not more on the land. He was satisfied that we often greatly overestimate the products of cornfields. He found there were 400 grains on an eight-rowed ear, and that it required four such ears, shelled, to make a pound when properly dry after midwinter. Four such ears, as an average, on a hill of four stalks, was as much as farmers usually get from a good crop-this would give but 56 to 58 bushels per acre, and he thought the man did well who obtained 40 bushels per acre. At three feet apart, there would be about 1200 more pounds or 20 bushels more per acre, if the ears were equally large. As a proof that thick seeding was not always best, he stated that J. W. Hyde had sowed only eight bushels of oats on four acres, (two bushels per acre) the land formerly a black ash swamp, but not drained, and having thrashed all, and measured it heaping, there were 107 bushels per acre. Others present mentioned very heavy crops obtained by sowing eight bushels, not on four, but on only one acre. CROCKER of Broome Co. had planted a piece of corn (3 acres) on which 60 large loads of rotted manure per acre had been applied, in hills four feet by 18 inches, 4 or 5 stalks to a hill, and all was well saved-he had not yet husked it. On the other hand T. C. Peters said his corn on the richest land, had grown so rank and thick, as to yield the least corn. Some mistake was, however, supposed to have been made. Grass and Irrigation. A. B. DICKINSON alluded to his assertion of last evening that he could make a heavier growth of grass with clay than with manure. "One load of the poorest clay that you can find in Chemung," said he, "is better than two "Grass is the all-im H. BOWEN, jr., of Orleans Co., has raised both kinds of loads of muck even on clay land." sheep, and coarse wooled for the past seven or eight years.portant crop of the United States-all countries (with the He lives about 30 miles this side of L. F. Allen's, and also exception of China,) where grass don't grow, become imin a fine wheat region, and finds the coarse wools the most poverished, and the inhabitants leave them; but all coun profitable for such lands, contrary to the expressed opinions tries where grass grows abundantly, become richer." On of some previous speakers. His animals have averaged grass land, one load of manure placed on the surface is about 150 lbs., and sell for $5 to $10 or $12 per head, worth two plowed in-and the clay would be of no benefit if while the Merinos bring only $3. They have averaged six plowed in, (except on sand,) while a load of clay carried pounds of wool, which has sold at 31 cents per pound-on by irrigation, is worth two loads of muck. Irrigation, J. HARRIS of the Genesee Farmer, stated subsequently at the same effected by muddying the water, and continued yearly for meeting, that he had always been an advocate of the same views; five or six years, will give more grass than any manuring, but being subsequently at John Johnston's, the latter had a very fine by mulching the roots, and making the grass grow stiffer, saddle of mutton on his table, and called on him to test his theory. and solider. He had a rank growth of meadow this year, "What kind of sheep is this mutton from ?" asked the host. "Why," but because it did not stand, it became really half a ton replied he, "it appears to possess all the excellence of the South to a ton less per acre, than some other portions. The runDown, but its size indicates the Leicester. It must be the South ning on of the clay must be done late in autumn, in win Down." Other gentlemen present concurred in its excellence. "It is the Saxon Merino ?" remarked John Johnston, to the surprise of all, ter, or very early in spring. Fresh soil is plowed up, and the water streams being turned on, carry it off, by stir and to the utter demolition of the beautiful theory. ring, to the grass land. He has found that irrigating with TOAD FLAX OR SNAP DRAGON. MESSRS. EDITORS-Enclossd I send you a weed that made its appearance on my farm about three years ago in a single small patch, which was taken but little notice of. Since then it has multiplied its patches at a fearful rate. It spreads very rapidly, and entirely runs out the grass. Last fall I put some old fish brine on a patch of it, which seemed to kill it for the time, but this year it is the most luxuriant patch on the farm. If you can inform me through your columns its name, and the best way to extirpate it, you will greatly oblige one subscriber, and perhaps many. B. P. BOBBINS, Springfield, Mass. This plant is the notorious Snap Dragon or toad-flax, one of the worst weeds that can obtain a foot-hold in land. As we have very frequent inquiries in relation to it, we copy from the article on WEEDS in the Illustrated Annual Register for 1861, the following description and cut: TOAD FLAX OR SNAP DRAGON, sometimes called "Butter and Eggs" from the color, (Linaria vulgaris.)-An exceedingly troublesome and pernicious weed, extending now through the Northern and Middle States. The root is perennial and creeping; the whole plant very smooth; the flowers somewhat in the form of lips, the outer part pale yellow, the palate tinged with orange, and each flower furnished with a horn or spur half an inch long. It grows one or two feet It is common high and quite erect. in many places along roadsides, fences, and in pastures. Cattle will not eat it, nor the grass it grows with.Spreading in dense patches, it soon prevents the growth of other plants. It is difficult to eradicate the best mode is repeated plowing and harrowing. TOAD FLAX. Bringing Home the Cows---Milking. Among my memories of boy-life on the farm, how freshly still comes up one of twilight time-the "bringing home the cows" from their woodland pasture. The "only boy" for years, many a score of autumn eves have I explored the "big marsh" and the "sugar bush," both bordered and islanded, here and there, with grass for the wandering kine; and time and again "the sun was low" 66 on Linden's on our horizon, whatever it may have been hills," ere I found them. How I hurried to get back through the strip of woods, stumbling along in the fast deepening shadows, half-afraid of the loneliness and the hooting owls, and conscience-smitten for my tardiness in starting. How often, too, was the evening air filled with the songs and shouts with which I strove "to keep my courage up," until "out of the woods," and in sight of the barn on the hill. Coming through the open fields, I could always on pleasant eves, see, and often mocked, the nighthawk, who seemed to gasp for breath when he swooped down from his lofty circlings. But now-a-days we are told it is not "boy's work" to We were taught then, that they bring home the cows. must not be driven hurriedly home at night, if ease in milking and full pails are desired. Not only will they give less milk, but it will produce less butter or cheese, quart for quart, than where their quite is carefully guarded. The Homestead says: "A dairyman complains of the season as bad for the dairy, but his neighbors say, the training of as much as to shepherd's dogs is worse than the season say that the cows are "worried to death" by their canine drivers. The same paper says that the astonishing yield occasionally claimed for single dairies, depends on several causes-not the least among them is careful driving. "Inquiring out one of three large reports, we found that the owners, the man and his wife, not only did all their milking themselves, but they always brought and drove their But this cannot always be done. The boys own cows." must very generally "bring home the cows;" but let me admonish them to take plenty of time for it, and let the cows take their time, and due order of precedence. I shall not blame them, however, if they throw sticks when the "master cow" takes her stand in the gap, and refuses to let any other pass save at her own queenly will and pleasure. Not many years passed by before I had not only to drive the cows, but to milk-had a pail of my own, and my favorites of the herd. And let me say that milking is a good deal of an art; one which few boys do well, though it is one on which much of the profit of the dairy depends. From observation and experience, I offer the following hints as important. There must be good temper, and a good stock of patience to begin with. In dealing with a cow, as with a human learner, be kind and firm; show them what you wish, that they can do it readily, and that it must be done. I always like a one-legged stool to sit upon when milking. With such, one can move readily, and inequalities of the ground make no difference. Have a little clean water to wash the teats off in the morning, if they lie in the dirt, and if you need any thing to moisten them, use water, not milk, for that purpose. Milk gently and evenly, but as rapidly as possible, and be sure to milk clean-draining the last drop, which is always the Failure in this respect richest in cream, from the teats. rapidily diminishes the quantity of milk furnished by the cow; indeed, the method usually practiced in drying off a cow, is to but half milk her. Let the milking time be as regularly as possible at the same hour in the day, morning and evening, and each cow have the same milker, as far as convenient. The quiet of the yard should be carefully preserved. But (if you will allow me) another reminiscent paragraph. What pleasanter rural scene can greet the eye than that of the cows returning from their pastures, so calmly and leisurely, full-fed and well supplied with milkreceiving the milker's attentions with quiet satisfaction, "chewing the end of sweet" and tender herbage. Many a bright memory comes back, as I think of "milking time" and its associations. I can see the stars come out, one by one, in the twilight sky; I can hear the cheep of the tree-toad upon some mossy rail; the bats are whirring above us in many a circling flight, and my mother's song comes to my ear from across the yard. Longfellow has woven such a scene into one of his poems, and looking back upon it, through the haze of years, it does seem poetical. But your paper has to do with the practical, yet I hope its readers will excuse thus much of a flight. MAPLE HILL, N. Y., Sept. 12. B. BUCKWHEAT STRAW.-J. A. Hubbard, writing to the N. E. Farmer from a locality in Maine, where this grain is very extensively grown, says that buckwheat straw "is injurious to young pigs, and if they lay in it, it will set them crazy, and they will finally die. It is hurtful to hogs when green, making and young stock to run through their head and ears sore and itch very much." Practical Farming in Onondaga County. We propose by permission of Mr. Secretary JOHNSON to make some extracts from the Agricultural Survey of Onondaga County, which appears in the Transactions of our State Society for 1859, from the pen of Hon. GEO. GEDDES. From the chapter entitled "Practical Agriculture," of which we are favored with advance sheets we select the following on Culture of Tobacco. The cultivation of tobacco, as a crop, was commenced in this county in 1845, by Chester Moses and Nahum Grimes, both of the town of Marcellus. They joined in hiring a man from Connecticut, who was skilled in the culture. In 1846, Col. Mars Nearing, then of the town of Salina, raised ten acres; and very soon others engaged in a small way, in raising this crop. By the census of 1855, it appears that in the preceding year there was raised, in the whole county, 471 acres, yielding 554,987 pounds; which gives as the average yield, 1,178 pounds to the acre. It is thought that this crop pays a better profit, on suita The Tobacco Plant in full Blossom. ble ground, when skillfully handled, than any other raised here. Expensive buildings are first necessary; then high manuring, careful and laborious cultivation, accompanied with skill, and a sacrifice of manure for other crops-unless it can be purchased-are to be taken into the account by any person who intends to enter on its cultivation. In the immediate vicinity of manure that can be purchased, this crop is increasing; perhaps it is in other places, but what the effects may be on the profits of other crops, there has not been sufficient time to determine since the introduction of what is now a staple. Mr. Benjamin Clark of Marcellus, who is perhaps better acquainted with the facts in regard to the culture of tobacco than any other man here, estimates the production of 1859, as of the value of $150,000: of which he estimates marcellus as producing $25,000 worth; Skaneateles $10,000; Van Buren $20,000; Lysander $10,000; Manlius $8,000; Camillus $5,000; Geddes $4,000; Salina $8,000: Elbridge $6,000; Onondaga $8,000, and the residue divided among the other towns. From Mr. Clark, the following facts and estimates in regard to this crop are derived: A warm, rich, well drained and mellow soil should be had, and then twenty-five loads of rotten barn-yard ma nure should be put on an acre. The land being in high be in two or three to the lower end. It The plant as set in the hill. vate and hoe. In ten or fourteen days repeat the operation, and continue to cultivate so as to keep the weeds down. The tobacco worms may appear about the second hoeing; kill them as fast as they show themselves. When the blossoms appear, break off the stalk, leaving about fifteen leaves, taking off about seven leaves. |