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[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] WILSON'S SEEDLING STRAWBERRY.

This is a variety that is fully worthy of the high commendations it has received, and it is decidedly the most prolific of any variety I ever cultivated, and the number Bomewhat exceed 40. It succeeds well upon almost any soil, and bears abundantly. I have seen accounts of large yields from this variety, but last season I had the curiosity to determine how much could be raised. I measured one bed, 16 feet by 17 feet, and measured the berries, and obtained 34 bushels, which would be at the rate of 560 bushels The plants were set 2 feet by 1 foot, and allowed to cover the ground, and the above is the result. The bed has now to be turned under and manured and re-set. I have found this method to be the least trouble, but the beds require to be renewed every third year. The old plants usually exhaust themselves, and require the thrifty runners to renew with. WILLIAM NEWCOMB.

per acre.

Rensselaer Co., N. Y.

gests.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] TOBACCO CULTURE.

extent at the east.

though they might demand more than the ordinary rate of wages. There are Yankees enough to be had on the Connecticut River on similar terms. Any person who imagines that he can grow tobacco successfully or profitably, from written or printed directions, has only to make one trial of it to be convinced of his error. It is an art only to be acquired under the instructions of a master. Northern tobacco is grown principally for segar wrapping, for which its thin leaf is especially adapted. Calcareous soils produce the finest qualities. The crop of 1858 raised in Cayuga and Onondaga counties, mostly the latter, was estimated at 4,400 cases of 400 pounds each, and at 10 cents per pound was worth something like $175,000. The last was an unfavorable season, and I have no definite information as to the quantity produced or its value. V. W. S. Syracuse, Jan. 25, 1860.

Cost and Profit of Hens.

MESSRS. TUCKER & SON-Having been a subscriber for the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN for some time, I have been somewhat interested in the various articles from your correspon dents, tending to develop the best methods of productive industry, as well as being enlightened by perusing them. If my experience with poultry will add anything to the common stock of knowledge on that subject, I give you the result of my experience from Jan. 1, 1859, to Dec. 31, 1859. As I was but a novice (when I commenced "the science of henand nature, I have been obliged to learn everything in relaology," some two years since) as to their habits, proper food tion to that subject by experience. I commenced the year with 58 hens and two roosters, Black Spanish breed with a cross of about 1-18th of Game and Leghorn. I give you the quantity of eggs for every four weeks, from January 1, 1859, to December 31, 1859, as follows:

Four weeks to Jan. 28..

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293

Feb. 25.

678

Am't brought up...
4 weeks to Sept. 8,..

6,134

541

Mar. 25,

971

Oct. 6...

470

April 22,

1063

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June 17...... 861

44

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Dec. 30 and 31, 20

6.134

Total in one year.... 8,013 or, 667 doz, and 9 eggs.

Eggs have averaged in our market over 25cts, per doz..
which will make the total of 667 doz. 9 eggs at 25 cts., $166.94
My family have consumed about 30 fowls, at 37c. 11.25
My stock now is 73-increase of stock 13, at 37%.

When I have given them corn of my own raising I
have charged it a $1.00 per bushel. The whole cost
of food has been,...

4.88

$183.07

99.75

MESSRS. L. TUCKER & SON-I notice that inquiries are occasionally made through the medium of your columns, for information in regard to the cultivation of tobacco. Having had some experience with this crop, I venture to supply you with a few remarks which its consideration sugThere is no hand-book on the subject. No person should think of raising tobacco to any extent unless he knows all about it, or has in his employ some one who does, that he can depend on. Every part of the process, from the time you undertake to prepare the ground for your seed plants, in March or April, till it has undergone its last manipulation in the winter following, requires close attention, a nice judgment, and a thorough acquaintance with the business. I should recommend to any person determined to engage in the cultivation of tobacco, but without experience himself, to procure the services of some one else who has, to raise one or two crops for him. He should hire his labor from a tobacco district, the valley of the Connecticut River for instance, for one or two seasons, after which he might attempt its management without such assistance. It is a good way to adopt the Con- I have kept an accurate account of the cost of food. necticut River plan-that is, for the owner of land to furnish the ground, properly fitted with the sheds for curing the crop, and let it upon shares or for a money rent, to another, to perform the labor. This is done to a great The proprietors of river bottom, especially along the Connecticut, provide land, manure, housing, &c., for which a rent of fifty dollars, and I think one hundred per acre, are paid. The crops thus produced will sometimes amount to $300 per acre. The tobacco raised in this county has occasionally sold for that sum. The cultivation of tobacco has been carried on in Onondaga county for ten or fifteen years, having been first introduced from the Connecticut. It is now grown mostly in small parcels, many of the farmers in some of the towns planting from half an acre to two acres, which they can take care of without its interfering with their main business, and with no special outlay for shed-room. Tobacco is an uncertain crop as to price, and if grown to the extent of five or ten acres, requires a considerable preliminary expenditure for curing sheds. It is doubtful whether its cultivation at the north is permanently beneficial. Ten acres would consume all the manure which could be produced on a large farm with the ordinary amount of stock. But when extraordinary facilities are enjoyed for obtaining manure, nothing pays better. A gentleman in this city furnished ground and manure from a distillery, for 15 or 20 acres, last year, which was worked on shares, and the same parties are making preparations to plant 35 acres in the spring. A distiller in the western part of the county has raised even more. But this can only be done where manure can be obtained in abundance. I presume that men could be hired who have worked in the tobacco fields of this county, capable of taking charge of a crop,

I carry to the account of Profit and Loss, Cr. side,... $83.32 came in late. I have had but few eggs from my young About a dozen of my old hens have died. My chickens chickens. The average of my laying hens would not exceed 50, which would give an average of about 160 eggs to each hen. B. Newark, N. J.

Barley Meal and Shorts for Cows.

MESSRS. EDITORS-I wish to know the relative value of barley meal and shorts for feeding cows giving milk, which would make the best feed, say three quarts of barley meal or four quarts of barley meal and shorts, equal portions of each, daily? I wish to feed about that quantity in addition to hay and roots. The milk is used for butter making-barley is worth about sixty-three cents a bushel, and shorts one dollar a hundred, consisting of the coarse and fine bran, without that portion termed ship stuff. I have usually fed a mixture of the above, but have some doubts about the utility of feeding shorts to make rich milk. My mode of feeding is to add scalding water sufficient to make a thin slop, and feed it when cold. I prefer this way to feeding it on cut straw or hay. I should also like to know the value of brewer's grains as a feed for cows-it can be obtained here for eighteen cents a bushel-will it pay at that, and is it suitable feed for cows giving milk? By giving the desired information through the Co. Gent. you will grently oblige

J. L. R.

We know of no definite experiments to determine these points who have given these materials for food a thorough trial. -nor do we know the prevailing opinions of intelligent farmers Barley meal makes a rich feeding-at its present low price, it is thought by some to be the most profitable food for cattle. We have used it ground with corn in the cob, and find it excellent.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] ON FEEDING CATTLE AND SHEEP.

A Young Farmer, p. 60, Co. Gent., asks me to give him information about buying and fattening stock. It is almost impossible to do this on paper. It is one of those things that has to be learned by experience, and I have often advised beginners to commence on a small scale, and feel their way cautiously. One great error in many, is that they get alarmed for fear they are going to lose by the operation, and sell their cattle before they are half fat, which almost never pays. For instance, if you feed 100 days, they will generally gain more the last 35 days than in the first 65. Others again, when they think they are not making fat fast enough, (as all men unaccustomed to feed will,) are apt to feed too much meal. Cattle that have been kept on poor fare, cannot stand much meal the first two months. I can put on more fat on such cattle with three or four quarts of corn meal or its equivalent in other feed daily, with right good hay, than with double the quantity of meal. Take three or four year old steers of good quality, and an average of four quarts of meal with good hay for 100 days, and they will make prime beef with me. In 100 days, aged oxen will require much more meal, but I never made any thing by fattening oxen unless bought very low. You get no growth on themonly the fat you put on.

Farmers that intend fattening cattle, should always buy those of good size of their age. It takes no more to fat a steer that weighs 1,400 lbs., live weight, than it does to fat one weighing 900 or 1,000 lbs., and the largest will always gain the most with equal feed, if they are of the same age. Then when fat, the largest are worth more per pound to the butcher; so there is a profit every way in fattening cattle of a good size according to their age.

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Then again I have seen men undertake fattening cattle, and think they must be stabled all the time, and only let out to get drink. I think it is very far wrong; for many years I have only stabled them while they eat their meal, feeding their hay in open yards in boxes. They have the liberty of large sheds to go out and in as they choose, with both sheds and yards thoroughly littered with straw, and in this way my cattle are always as clean as they are in summer when in the fields. Cattle won't lay down in dirt if they can get a clean place. I only, or at least seldom, buy sheep or cattle oftener than once a year, unless I sell in February, and buy half fat ones to finish off before May. I have given my mode of fattening sheep so often that I think a Young Farmer" must have read it. One thing I will tell him, that it takes no more feed to fat a lot of sheep averaging 140 or 150 lbs. than it does the same number averaging only 85 or 90 lbs.; therefore it is far more profit to feed heavy sheep than light ones. I have heard men I thought of great knowledge, say that every animal eat according to their size but man, and for a long time I believed it; but when I came to feed steers meal in stalls, some weighing 1,000 lbs., some 1,500 lbs., and found the largest putting on the most fat and gaining most in weight, which they always do, I found those mens' theories would not stand the test when tried by practice. I look upon experience as being of vast importance to the farmer, and farmers can if they choose, make many experiments at little cost, even if they don't succeed; but I would not advise a "Young Farmer," or any one else, to go into fattening stock largely for market, especially in winter; but I would advise every one to feed their regular stock much better than is generally done throughout Western New-York. I know men who keep, say 25 head of store cattle, that don't pay any profit, and another will keep 5 or 6 that will sell for more than the other 25 or 30, and make a good profit; and the same way with sheep. An immense improvement can be made on the Merino sheep; if only thoroughly kept the year round, they can be made to weigh from 130 to 150 lbs. and more when fat, and at a great profit-more so I think than any other kind of sheep or cattle either. But farmers in general think any feed may do for sheep-fallows, woods, stubble-fields, and even the highways, and in fact the latter is often their best pasture. Now if men would only reason on the sub

Ject, and think how their horses, or milch cows, or fancy cattle, if they have any, would do with such treatment, I know there would soon be a great improvement in stock generally, and in nothing more than in the Merino sheep. Where you find a farmer who has purchased a few Leices ters or South Downs at a high price, those he feeds well, and he gets well paid for it, and I am convinced that Merinos would pay him better if he would give them the same feed. JonN JOHNSTON. Near Geneva, Jan. 31.

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[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] USE OF SPARRED FLOOR STABLES. MESSRS. TUCKER & SON-I am not accustomed to write for the public eye, but I notice you ask for the views and experience of your readers on the use of sparred floors. I keep from sixteen to twenty cows on sparred floors. They suffer no inconvenience. I use no bedding except in the coldest weather. I have a cellar under the stable, eight feet deep, into which the manure drops. Not having muck, I use earth from headlands to mix in to absorb the urine. We draw the earth and put it in a pile convenient to the stable, any time when it is most convenient.

In my stable are two rows of cows, heads from each other, tied in stalls six feet wide, and two in a stall. I have a double door, wide enough to drive a horse and wagon with dirt into the stable. The barn stands on a side-hill. The manure is easily removed, as we back the cart up to it, under the barn. When the cellar is empty we cover the bottom of it a foot or so with earth, and then earth is added from the pile or field as suits our convenience, from time to time, at the rate of from eight to twelve loads per week.

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In this way I get a large pile of excellent manure. is not very hard work, for we drive a horse and wagon with the dirt into the stable, and if the dirt is fine, we throw it on to the floor, and it passes down readily with the manure, just where it is wanted-if not fine, we throw it down the scuttles.

Perhaps I ought to say that my cows run in the pasture during summer, and are stabled nights, and fed a little green fodder when the pastures are short.

Some may think it hard to get dirt from a pile out-doors in winter. But I find by practice it works well. Last tall I made a pile 12 ft. by 30 ft., 8 ft. high-the outside froze a foot thick or more. When we wanted dirt we took our picks and made a hole of sufficient width to back in the one-horse wagon. After getting what dirt is wanted for the time, the entrance is closed with straw, and the frozen earth forms both walls and roof. When we want more earth, remove the straw, back in the wagon or sleigh, and it comes easy. In case of a long thaw the roof may need some support. The center of the pile is considerably the highest; this allows the water to pass off free, and perhaps adds strength to the roof. Chicopee, Mass.

M. S. K.

LARGE YIELD OF CARROTS.

A correspondent of the New England Farmer, writing from South Danvers, says "Mr. B. H., one of the most successful cultivators in this town, informed me that he had gathered six tons of as handsome carrots as he ever saw, from thirty-seven square rods of ground. This would be about one ton to six square rods, or about twenty-seven tons to an acre," &c.

Although this is a heavy crop, it will not compare with some crops of the same vegetable grown here. For instance, in the fall of 1858, Mr. Wm. H. Starr, proprietor of the East New London Nurseries, gathered from eight square rods of ground, seventy-five bushels of splendid carrots, of the long orange variety, being at the rate of 1500 bushels, or forty-five tons to the acre; and the present season, (1859,) he gathered from five square rods, orty bushels of the short horn variety, being at the rate of 1,280 bushels, or more than thirty-eight tons to the acre; and this on land not better than an average of this entire field. Can any of your correspondents inform us of a larger yield from ordinary cultivation ? H. E. C.

96

THE CULTIVATOR.

Inquiries and Answers.

CUTTING FODDER-How short should fodder be cut for milch cows and young cattle? The machines in use here cut it in lengths varying from three fourths of an inch to three inches. Which is the proper length, and why? Cheshire Co., N. H. [When hay and straw only are to be out, for the purpose of mixing them together, (as well as for having short manure,) an inch or two in length will answer, and some animals even like them better than if shorter. But for corn stalks-which are doubled at least in value by cutting properly, the length should not be greater than about the fourth of an inch, and such a machine should be driven by horsepower. If the length is greater than this, many hard, woody lumps will not be eaten. The nearer that the stalks are reduced to the state of a powder or fine chaff, the more freely they will be eaten, and the better they will be digested. If cattle will not eat them well at first, a little meal intermixed, and some salt or brine sprinkled thinly over, will render them palatable.]

UNDERDRAINING-Much of our land in this country is what we term a cold clay soil. It generally produces grass very well, but is too wet for anything else, except in summer after it is too late to put in a crop. It is in many places wet on the side of a hill, the water not seeming to come from any one channel, but to issue from the ground as much in one place as another, rendering sometimes several acres in a place unfit for the plow, and if we make a ditch it will be as wet within ten feet of it as it was before. Now what I wish to know is whether such land can be profitably underdrained, and how? K. C. Deerfield, Va. [We have met with similar land, and have underdrained it profitably. We would recommend parallel drains, three feet deep, and two rods apart, the shortest way down hill. These will be likely to tap all the subterranean puddles and springs, and carry their contents speedily off; but if any wet spot remains afterwards, a side ditch will tap it. A single ditch may fail to accomplish the object; but a series of parallel ditches scarcely ever fails. We should have no fear whatever. Tile is best and cheapest, but stone will do; and if the quantity of water is small and the descent steep, brush will do.]

PAINT FOR BARNS.-Can you inform me through your columns what is the cheapest and most durable paint or wash for old buildings. I have on my farm two barns that have been built 15 or 20 years. They are in a good state of preservation, and only lack a coat of paint to look well; but as they have been exposed to the weather so long, it will take a large quantity of oil to paint them. If you or any of the readers of the Country Gentleman can give me any information or a ivice how to paint them well and cheaply, you will much oblige A. SUBSCRIBER. [We think a coat or two of good whitewash first given to these old exposed surfaces, will serve to fill the pores of the wood, which would otherwise absorb a great deal of oil. In the course of a year, when the lime has lost all its caustic quality, and will no longer make soap of the oil, the paint may be applied. Whitewash alone, if repeated biennially, would be very useful.]

March,

they would shrink and swell by dryness or wetness, and soon decay. On very hard smooth earth, water lime might be used, without building a wall, if it were possible to have a stone wall foundation above it. Frost soon cracks water-lime; and to have it for the lower portion, and common stone wall for the exposed part, would be entirely incompatible with solidity.]

STRYCHNINE FOR RATS.-I noticed in the Cultivator, that some of your correspondents advise the use of strychnine to destroy rats. Do you think that the use of it would be safe in a barn where the rats have access to the hay-mow, cornstalks, and rutabaga cellar? A SUBSCRIBER. [If the pure or concentrated strychnine is used, it will probably finish speedily every rat which partakes of it before he has had time to scatter much. It is well, however, to use caution, that nothing voided by them is mixed with the roots or grain before it is fed out. The danger is small.]

readers inform me of the value of good hay compared to corn HAY AND CORN FOR FEEDING.-Can you or any of your as feed for wintering cattle and sheep-which is the cheapest to purchase, hay at $12 per ton, or corn at $1 per bushel? c. c B. St. Albans Bay, Feb. 2d, '60. [Authorities as well as experiments vary considerably as to the relative value. Difference in the quality of the hay no doubt has partly produced this variation, as well as the condition of the corn and the peculiar character of the animals. But the average places hay as little more than one half the value of corn, of equal weights; say 50 lbs. of corn equal to 100 lbs. of best bay, would make 20 bushels of cor equal to a ton of hay. The hay is therefore much the cheapest. A little corn, however, well ground, and given daily in connection with the hay, may be profitable, as mixed food is found best.]

COBS FOR FOOD.-Will you give us your opinion as to the value of the corn-cob ground with the corn; it is a general practice here to grind them together, and has been mine until latterly, when I have come to the conclusion that they (the cobs) are only fit for fuel; and now I shell all my corn giving one quart a day to my calves, two quarts to heifers, and three to my cows. I have been looking over your back volumes to try to find the information, but cannot; and there is such a diversity of opinion here, that I thought I would like to have yours, which I have always supposed first authority in all such matters. A. W. PARSONS. [Analysis shows that cobs contain some nutriment, but the amount is quite small. The question whether to use them, should be answered somewhat according to circumstances. When ground, after cracking, by a common grist mill, many hard lumps remain unpulverized, and these are hurtful to horses, but may be of no detriment to cattle. If ground in this way, the meal should therefore be sifted, if for horses. We find, however, that the new farmmills, like Joice's Star Mill, Scott's, or Young America, if in good running order, will tear the cob into such minute fragments as to obviate this objection. But when these facilities are not at hand, but little loss will be sustained if the cobs are entirely rejected, and only used for kindling-wood.]

KEEPING FRUIT.-Would it not be well to give on one sheet, the results of experience in keeping different kinds of fruit-little details wanting, result in an entire failure. I COBBLE-STONE FLOORS.-Have you or any of your corres- have just opened a box of grapes put up with layers of cotton, pondents used cobble-stone for stable floor, and are they as and not one fit to eat. J. H. [We intend, on a future ocgood or better than plank? A SUBSCRIBER. [We have seen casion, to furnish some facts on the subject; and in the meancobble-stone, laid as a pavement, for the floors of cattle sta- time would be glad to secure the results of experiments from bles. They must be solidly as well as evenly laid; solidly, those who have been uniformly successful, as well as those or the stones will work loose, or the pavement become uneven; who have failed. The mode of packing should, however, be and evenly, or they will be unpleasant to the cattle and hard given at the same time, as well as condition of the fruit, charto clean. They require a free use of litter to make them com-acter of the treatment, &c. Our correspondent may have failfortable. They are of course, very durable, if well laid. As ed because his grapes were not well grown and well ripened, it has been found injurious to horses to keep them in a base- indispensable requisites; or from a dainp apartment, too warm ment stable, cobble-stone cannot be well used for them. The a temperature, or all these combined. Unless grapes are practice of filling in the interstices and coating the surface thoroughly cultivated and freely pruned, they never ripen with water-lime mortar will answer only in such places as are well enough to keep long. free from frost, which soon cracks and spoils wet hydraulic

mortar.

ARTIFICIAL STONE CELLAR WALLS.-Can some of your correspondents inform me how to make artificial stone, and will a house built of it stand the frost well; and how will it answer in building cellar wall, where stone is scarce, to lay in blocks of wood instead of stone? How will it do to plaster on the bare earth, a part of the way, instead of building a wall from the bottom of a cellar clear up to the floor of the house? A. B. [The first question we must leave for such of our correspondents as have tried artificial stone. Blocks of wood will not answer instead of stone, except when set in the wall merely to drive wooden pins in, or to nail to-in which case they should be in the dryest places. Near the earth,

SHARES' HARROW.-Would you advise a man to purchase Shares' coulter harrow, as a useful farm implement? My land is a stiff clay. I have not a cent to spare or speculate on, yet I am willing to do anything that will assist in thoroughly refining and pulverizing the soil, as I think that in itself is equal to half manuring, and if so, please say what may be the cost, when dropped at the Chatham station, C W. [We think our correspondent will run little risk of loss by purchasing Shares' harrow, if he has a farm of average size or over. For pulverizing the surface of newly inverted sod, either for planting corn or other crops, we know of nothing that will compare with it, as it cuts up and mellows the surface more than twice as deep as the common harrow, and does not and cannot tear up the sod. It is also said to be excellent for

covering sown grain, but on this point we cannot speak from our own experience. The only disadvantage we have found, is that the teeth are not quite strong enough for the rough usage they sometimes get from hired men-but which enre would obviate. We find the timber work heavy enough. The cost is $15 at Albany, and a dollar or two would be charged to carry it to Chatham station, C. W.]

It

entering through a door in the outside wall. There is no communication between the stalls, each animal entering her owa stall through this outer door. I wish a floor that can be easily kept clean, and one that will drain off the urine. is intended principally for cows, though I may need a few stalls for bulls and steers. Please tell me how I can arrange it to drain the urine into the manure heap or some better MILK WEEDS.-Can you tell me how to destroy this pest place, without too much cost. I wish, also, the floor of the of the lawn and meadow? I have an annual crop in a lawn, whole building rat proof if possible. R. W. H. Moorewhich it is not desirable to plow and cultivate for two or three field, Ky. [The best floor, perhaps, is made of hard-burnt years, if it can be avoided; yet I find that the plant rather brick set on end. If well laid, this floor is smooth, easily enjoys being pulled up twice in a season. How shall I kill cleaned, and will last indefinitely. Neatly laid paving stone it ? E. [To destroy any weed, like the milk-weed, which do well, but need more litter to make a soft bed. Some good extends beneath the surface by creeping stems or roots, it farmers prefer hard beaten earth for the floor on which the must not be allowed to breathe. Cut every plant as far before feet stand, on which the animals may kneel on lying low the surface as possible, the first moment the tip of its stalk down and rising, and to be well covered with straw to make appears, by means of a chisel set on the end of a spade handle it comfortable. The hinder portion is to be paved with brick, unless the soil is so loose as to allow pulling to bring up a stone or with thick solid flagging. A gutter may be made longer portion. Watch constantly for a few months, and keep behind the stalls to carry off liquids, but the bottom should them all below ground, and they will die. But if the care is be flat, and wide enough to receive a square shovel for cleaintermitted they will soon renew themselves, and the war may ning it daily. This gutter is best made of flagging, or of be interminable.] wood; but unless the wood is of some durable sort, it will soon decay.]{

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LAYING OUT DRAINS.-J. T. H. has sent us a plan of his grounds, for directions how to lay out ditches for draining it. There are two important points of information not given, which are requisite to enable us to furnish these directions. The first is the size or dimensions of the land, that we may know the number and distance of the drains. The second is the degree of descent or slope-the number of feet of fall in a hundred, both of the swamps and upland, as nearly as can be determined by a common leveling instrument. He wishes his inquiries answered in the Cultivator for February-but, as is often the case, the inquiry came after that number had gone to press.

SALT FOR CATTLE.-Can you inform me if some salt is not indispensable to the health of cattle, given with their food? WB [It is the common opinion that a portion of salt with their food contributes to the health and thrift of animals. But the experiment can never be tried, whether they would do well entirely deprived of it,-for all vegetables have more or less of it. For example, a ton of barley straw contains 4 lbs. of salt; a ton of green white clover, 2 lbs.; a ton of carrots, 4 lbs., and a ton of beets 15 lbs., according to chemical annlysis. How much more ought to be added to this portion, for the best health of animals, we cannot tell.]

CHINESE SUGAR CANE FOR CATTLE-What are the proper ties of the Chinese sugar cane as a substitute for hay, to be fed to horses, and would you recommend it in preference to common millet; and if so, how should it be given, what its culture and process of saving? M. [We have never used the Chinese sugar cane to any extent, for horse feed. We have no doubt it would answer well in winter, provided it could be cut very short by a horse-power cutter, say not longer than a sixth of an inch. This would remove that hard woody character which the stalks possess when kept till winWe have found cows to eat it well when cut somewhat longer; and in autumn, before it becomes dry, it is eaten in the stalks by them with great avidity. We should, however, prefer cutting it for horses, even at this time of the year. To raise the sugar cane, it should be grown in drills three feet apart, by plowing furrows at this distance, strewing the seed along at the rate of thirty to a foot, and covering with a harrow, run lengthwise. Cultivate it two or three times-it will not require hooing. The product will be several times greater than that of meadow. Put it in large shocks, where, as it is stiff and tall, it will keep well till wanted.]

ter.

LIMING LAND-I should like to be referred to some work containing the best treatise as to the quantity, time and mode of application of lime as a fertilizer; and whether it is best applied in the caustic or slaked condition. A. W. McDoNALD, Jr. [Our correspondent will find good practical directions in Stephens' Book of the Farm, for the English practice, and in Allen's American Farm Book, for American practice He will also find much on the subject in Browne's Field Book of manures, a good compilation on the subject of manures generally.]

To BUTTER-MAKERS.-Can some one of your numerous readers inform me through the Cultivator, the best way to keep butter in rolls during the hot summer months. L.

FLOORS FOR CATTLE STALLS.-Will you do me the favor to inform me as to the best mode of constructing floors in cattle stalls. My stable is to be 62 feet long, and 30 feet wide, with a passage of 6 feet running the length of the house for the convenience of feeding. The stalls are arranged on each side, the animals standing with their heads to the center and

KIDNEY BEAN.-Will you inform me through the Co. Gent., if the Kidney Bean is a pole bean or not, and where can they be had for seed. E. J. P. Orleans, Co, N. Y. [The name Kidney Bean includes all the varieties of the Phaseolus vulgaris, or common garden bean, including both the bush and running varieties. The seed may be had at all the principal seed stores. The Vicia Faba, or English garden or horse bean, is totally distinct, and of no value in this country.]

GRAPES FOR VERMONT.-Please inform me which are the

best sorts of hardy grapes for Vermont-say half dozen sorts. S. DILLINGHAM. [Delaware, Diana, Hartford Prolific, Northern Muscadine, Concord, Rebeccn.]

ted with a hopper, so that the ears can be poured in promiscu-
CORN SHELLERS.-Do you know of a corn-sheller construc-
ously and will feed itself? J. RANDALL. [All common corn-
shellers, worked by hand, receive the ears one by one, on
end-but there is a large one driven by horse power, into
which the ears are emptied by the bushel, and which can be
had at most agricultural warehouses.]

Mr. Langstroth's book, does not, we presume, give any one the
LANGSTROTH'S BEE-HIVE.-P. P. P. The purchase of
to use it is, we are not informed.
right to use his patented hive. What the charge for the right

THE KICKING COLT-In answer to your correspondent who asks for the best method to break a colt of kicking while being cleaned, I would say, according to my experience, the most easy and effectual way is to bend one of the forelegs and slip a loop over it, so that he cannot get it down-after the Rarey plan. While in that position it will be impossible for the colt to kick, and he will at once submit to be cleaned. Also, if a colt is reluctant-as is often the case-to have his hind legs handled, or his crupper adjusted, this mode of treatment will be found effectual This method may also be applied with success to kicking cows. S. Fayetteville, N. Y.

URINE AS MANURE.-Will you please tell me how to best use the urine of, say about 300 workmen, on a farm I own of about 50 acres? If used as a top-dressing, how much must it be diluted? If it will interest you or your readers, I will give you the method I employ to obtain so much urine. A REGULAR READER AND SUBSCRIBER. [If used as a liquid manure, it should, while fresh, be diluted with at least its own bulk of water, for two reasons; first, that it may not prove injurious by being too concentrated; and secondly, the water retains a large portion of ammonia and prevents its escape during the fermentation of a few weeks, which should always take place before it is applied. If intended for compost, many substances may be used for absorbing it and giv ing it a solid form, such as dry peat, dry loam or turf, sawdust, straw, coal ashes, and charcoal. If any of these substances are moist, they will absorb but little, and retain less. The amount mentioned would probably be a sufficient application for ten to twenty acres, if preserved and used in the best manner. Please send us the method alluded to]

FARM RECORD.--In the first No. of the present vol. of the "Co Gent.," I see a notice of a blank book, ("The Comprehensive Farm Record,") gotten up by Dr. F. B. Hough of Albany, which was expected to be issued about this time. How will we find out the price, &c? D. S. Pennsville, Pa. [The book will, we presume, he advertised in this paper, with price, &c, as soon as ready, which will, we understand, be early in March.]

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] SOILING CATTLE.

EDITORS OF THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN-I am always glad to see this subject discussed in the Agricultural papers, for I think it of great importance to a large number of the farming community. And as I have kept my stock under this system, for the last four years, with your permission, will give the result of my experience and my method of doing it. If what I shall say, will throw any light upon the subject, or benefit any one, I shall feel re

warded for the effort.

I have a farm of fifty acres, all tillable land, except about three-fourths of an acre around my barn-rather stony this is fenced off for my stock to run in, during the sum mer. In this lot there is an unfailing spring of water, sufficient for fifty head of cattle, at all seasons of the year, My stock is small-have usually kept six cows, two year lings, and raised two calves yearly, but intend to increase the number of cows. I also have a span of horses--they are kept on cut hay and meal, until spring's work is done, and then put upon the green diet.

at night, for foddering in the morning-cattle are early risers, and want their breakfast as soon as up, and should done the first thing in the morning, and should be renot be compelled to wait for it. Foddering should be peated two or three times, so that by eight o'clock, they have had all they require. They may now be turned into the yard until noon; when they should again be stabled, and fed sufficient to fill themselves; so also again at night. A full supply of pure water, is of course, necessary. Regularity as to the time of foddering, is important, and should be varied from as little as possible. It is better to feed each one gets his share-the weak are not molested by the n the stable-the labor is more easily performed, and then strong. The trouble of tying up is very little, and the amount of manure saved, is very considerable. I am particular to keep my cattle well bedded with straw, and this, with a little carding, keeps them perfectly clean. Every two or three days, a boy with a wheelbarrow and shovel, passes over the yard and gathers up all the droppings, and deposits them on the manure heap, thus saving all or nearly all of the manure.

The crops raised for soiling purposes, are rye, corn, cattle the run of the farm, except a few acres around the In the fall, after my crops are all secured, I give my sorghum, millet (have raised three varieties, think the house. They are fed with a little corn or millet in the Hungarian best,) and clover-though last season clover morning, and again at night; by feeding them a little was entirely killed out, and I was compelled to use Timo-night and morning, they are not as hungry when turned thy and red-top. My stock kept well on this-clover, out, and I think do not feed the meadows as close during however, is preferable, as it yields a larger amount of the fall; consequently injure them less. I stable them feed, and may be cut two or three times during the season. nights the year round, and always milk in the stable-not Corn, I consider the best of the other crops named, but one of my cows was ever milked out of doors-think it for the sake of variety, would raise them all. weather all is snug and dry; they are carded every day, the best plan, as they are then all quiet, and in rainy except in the busy part of the year; much might be said in favor of this practice.

The mode I pursue is this: In the fall I sow about an acre of rye, pretty thick-then in the spring, as soon as the weather and ground will permit, I put in a piece of corn, sorghum and millet, and at intervals of about two weeks, put in more of the same, until about the middle of July. In this way I secure a succession, and a variety of fresh, succulent feed-just the thing for making milk and butter. I also raise roots to some extent, and think them valuable to feed in the spring to milch cows. The sugar beet and carrots succeed best with me; turnips are generally a failure, from the ravages of the fly. Pumpkins are excellent to feed in the fall, to keep up the flow of

milk.

I

from the little experience I have had in soiling cattle, And now, Messrs. Editors, in conclusion let me say, that am decidedly in favor of the system-especially for milch cows-and should like to have said a few words in regard to some of its advantages; but as I have already occupied too much space in your valuable paper, will forbear. have had experience in the matter, will "let their light Light is needed upon this subject, and I hope those who shine," through the columns of the Country Gentleman. Jefferson Co., N. Y.

Butter from Six Cows.

J. L. R.

During the winter they were fed once a day on cut straw, wet, with two quarts of barley meal and shorts mixed with it.

In pursuing this system, it is necessary to fodder a little later in the spring, as neither rye or grass are sufficiently large to cut, as early as pastures will do to turn into. I feed hay and roots, with a little meal or shorts, until the rye, sown in the fall, is about a foot high-then commence butter-making the past year, (from Jan. 1st to Dec. 31st, MESSRS. EDS.-I would like to give you a statement of our feeding from it-moderately at first, so as not to make the 1859,) not that I have the vanity to believe that it cannot be change from dry to green food, too rapid, and increase beat, but chiefly as the result of soiling. My cows, six in numthe quantity, as it increases in size, and the cattle become ber, are the native breed, medium size, and their ages as folaccustomed to it. In a few days, clover will do to cut-lows:-1 two, 1 three, 1 four, 2 six, and 1 ten years old; all when it is from four to six inches high, if it stands pretty raised by myself. They were dry from six weeks to two thick-and is fed in addition to the rye. I continue to months previous to calving. feed hay until well into June. Cattle will eat a little hay once or twice a day, and relish it, when kept on green feed, whether soiled or pastured. By the time the rye is disposed of, clover has attained sufficient size to furnishings during the winter. The balance of their food was good hay, and all they would eat. In the summer they were kept in the stable. The oldest cow proved not to be with calf, and on green corn, sorghum, millet and grass, cut and fed to them in the fall I fatted her-she was not milked after the 28th of Sept. On the 6th of Dec. a heifer, 20 months and 25 days old, dropped her calf, (too young by 4 months,) and I have estimated the two (the heifer and the cow fatted) as occupying ten months of the year-or say five cows for one year, and one cow for ten months, One quart of milk was daily kept by itself for ordinary family use; when more was wanted it was

all the feed required. As soon as the other crops are large enough, I feed from them once a day-changing from one to the other, often-cattle like a change of diet -making clover the principle feed as long as it continues fresh and good. The other crops are to furnish a variety, and to meet any contingency that may arise from drouth, or otherwise, and for fall feeding.

The next thing in order, is the cutting of the feed and care of the stock. Clover should be cut when fresh-in the early part of the day, or just before night. Morning is the best time, but not until after the dew is off; for if cut and handled when wet, it is not as well eaten by cattle, and I think is not as good for them. My way is to cut in the morning, sufficient to last until the next morning, and draw it in immediately, so that it shall wilt as little as possible, and place it in a long narrow pile in front of the manger-it is then convenient for feeding out, and will keep fresh until used up. Saturdays, I cut in the morning, and again at night-the last cutting to be fed the next day. It is important that sufficient feed be provided

I

also fed forty bushels of roots to the six cows and three year

used.

seventy-two pounds and five ounces, or a fraction less than
235 pounds to the cow.
at 25 cents a pound, except that used in our own family.
The butter was disposed of weekly
Watertown, N. Y.
J. L. R.

Now for the butter. We have made thirteen hundred and

WHEAT CROP OF ORLEANS Co.-The annual report of this county Ag. Society, states the last wheat crop as an excellent one, and remarks-"one reason for the large yield was, the wheat was sown on the best soils, well prepared and tended, and sown earlier than heretofore."

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