received the first premium as the best Short-horn "Another important consideration must not be lost bull over three years old, at the show of the New-sight of, namely, the quality of the hay. If it is York State Agricultural Society at Syracuse. Two coarse, much of it the sheep will reject; and conse of the heifers imported with him, received the two quently an allowance of from 10 to 25 per cent. must highest prizes in their class. be made accordingly. It is for this reason, old mea. dows produce a better quality of hay than new; that from the former being finer, and more miscellane ous. Sheep are very fond of clover hay, and will increase more rapidly in flesh if it is provided for them, than by any other description; but the quantity in bulk, comparatively, they require of it, is A Sheep Question. EDS. CULTIVATOR-In your March number, at the conclusion of your article on the "Varieties of the Merino," you say, "Now as regards the production of wool, what variety would yield the greatest profit under these circumstances? In answering this question, it is not sufficient to refer to the weight of the fleece, and to the price it would bring in market, or to the aggregate amount of money which each sheep annually affords. Nor can it be fully determined by a comparison of the net proceeds afforded by the wool of different kinds, in proportion to the weight of carcass-although it is admitted that this would be an approximation towards the result. But who has ever made a fair and reliable trial of this kind?" enormous. "From the above premises, we are enabled to deduce an exceedingly important fact, which, if always duly considered, will be the means of avoiding the serious blunders hitherto so frequently committed by American breeders, namely, that it requires an equal amount of food to produce a pound of flesh, or a pound of wool, without regard to the size of the sheep, or the breed. This is indeed a truism, and therefore self evident. But by way of illustra ting the point, let us select one of each of the rival breeds of England-the South Down and Leicester; we will suppose the live weight of the former, when in store condition, to be 100 lbs., and that of the Leicester or Bakewell, 150 lbs, which is probably, in general, the relative disproportion. Now it is clear, taking the estimate of Mr. Spooner, the Down "Veit was Professor of Agriculture in the Royal sheep will consume 34 lbs. of hay daily, while the Institute of Bavaria, and his work is full of experi- Leicester will need about 5 lbs. Is the latter, howments and calculations at that seat of Ag. Science. ever, more or less profitable than the Down? ClearHe makes the following observations:-The need of ly there is no difference, for the offal is relatively fodder is proportioned to the weight of the sheep, the same, and so is the proportion of the valuable and two and a-half pounds of the value of hay is parts-the flesh and wool. The expenditure of required daily for every 100 lbs. live weight, to keep food for the Leicester is greatly the largest, but onthe animal in a profitable state. Hence the followly in proportion to the difference of value derived ing amount of fodder is required: On turning to Morrell's American Shepherd, I find some light on these questions, which, to me, is pretty conclusive. On pages 229 and 243, under the head of Winter Management of Sheep, will be found the following table and remarks: For a long wool German sheep, his weight 100 lbs., 2.50 daily. do do 62 " 1.55 แ Grade Saxons, Electoral Saxons, (pure,) do In connection with this table, Mr. Morrell quotes from Spooner's English work on Sheep-"An ox requires 2 per cent. of his live weight in hay per day; if he works, he requires 24 per cent.; a milch cow 3 per cent.; a fatting ox, 5 per cent. at first, 44 per cent. when half fat, and only 4 per cent. when fat. Grown sheep take up 34 per cent. of their weight in hay per day, to keep in store condition." It must be understood by the reader that, in this estimate as well as all others, good hay is the standard of nutriment, and that if any grain or other food is used as an equivalent, allowance must be made for the quantity of hay accordingly." On page 243 are the following comments on the above:Now we will suppose, taking Veit's statement as the standard, that the average weight of a flock of sheep is 80lbs. per head, and the fodder. ing 150 days; this will give 2 lbs. daily to each, and for 150 days 300 lbs., and consequently for that period 100 will eat 30,000 lbs., or 15 tons. from the additional size of the carcass. Thus it is seen, the pound of everything costs alike, and all circumstances being equal, the profits are the same. and Saxon, alike distinguished for wool-growing "But we will go farther, and instance the Merino purposes. The Saxon, it will be remembered, is of the same race, being only a sub-variety of the Merino. Let a selection be made of one of each, which combines to the greatest extent, their perfec tions respectively. By taking the standard of Veit, as shown in his table, of the live weight of a pure Merino, say 88 lbs., and that of a pure Saxon, say 62 lbs., (which is nearly the comparative weight when pure,) the Merino, if fed at the rate of 24 lbs. of hay per 100 lbs. of live weight, consumes 2.20 lbs. daily, and the Saxon 1.55 lbs., a difference, it will be noticed, of nearly 40 per cent. less than the Merino. Now, both being supplied with this pro rata of ration daily, the Merinos will produce 40 Per cent. more of wool and flesh, at an expenditare, clear that the pound of wool and flesh, in both however, of 40 per cent. more of food. Thus it is cases, costs precisely the same. Hence it may be laid down as a rule by which the unwary may learn, that, after knowing the usual average weight of carcass and fleece of a given breed, if he hears of any very extraordinary individual instances of either, it may be ascribed to extra feeding, and a cost accordingly. "This certainly seems a low estimate as to the quantity a sheep requires daily, it being 66-100ths less than the English standard, as rendered by Mr. Spooner. But different breeds and their subdivisions vary so materially in weight, that to form a correct estimate, the sheep master should weigh some of "Let not the reader, however, misapprehend the each of different ages of his flock, and by classify-point in question. The breeds of sheep vary much ing them according to their relative size, he may in the quantity of wool they respectively produce, feed with greater accuracy. He must remember, and individuals of a given breed will often outstrip however, that sheep when growing, of any breed, require as much food as when they have arrived at maturity; and growing sheep should never be stint. ed. Let it be understood by the reader that the point is wool and flesh, and not fat, which it will readily be conceded that several breeds of animals will gather more rapidly than others, arising either from improved conformation or more quietness of habit. their fellows, although fed in the same fold, in the amount of wool they will yield. But if two are selected of the same breed and of equal weight, and fed precisely alike, and all other circumstances equal, if one shears a heavier fleece than the other, it will be found, on weighing, to lack an equal amount of flesh, which his comrade has acquired at the expense of his covering. This has arisen from the difference in the assimilation of food-in the one case, more for the formation of wool than the other." If I understand, Messrs. Editors, anything of animal physiology, I think Mr. Morrell's ideas are about correct, and if you will have the goodness to publish them, it may at least serve to allay the jealousy and warfare between Saxon and Merino breeders. A SHEEP MAN. Venice, N. Y. Folding Harrow. The This form of harrow was introduced by GEORGE GED. DES, Esq., of Onondaga county, in this state. cut herewith given combines the general principles of Mr. G.'s harrow, but differs from his in the mode of fastening the teeth. He has the teeth driven through the timber from the upper side, and they hold by their wedge-like form. Those represented by the cut, are let through the timber from the under side, with a washer below, and a nut and screw on the top; by which the teeth are firmly secured in their places, and the liability of their being loosened or lost, is obviated. This harrow will work well on any kind of ground, but is greatly superior to the common kind on rough land, as its joints enable it to fit the inequalities of the surface. The following table shows the number of teeth in the several sizes, and their prices. In answer to an inquiry, we state that they can be had of H. L. EMERY, Albany. 14 teeth, for one horse,..... 18 teeth, for one or two horses,.. 22 teeth, for two light horses,. 26 teeth, for two heavy horses,. 30 teeth, for two or three horses,.. The Table-Land of Thibet. .$8.00 9 50 .11 00 .13 00 ......15 00 An English traveller, Dr. J. D. HOOKER, who has been for some time engaged in making various observations in Thibet, describes many interesting things in reference to the country and its inhabit. ants. The Thibetans are a pastoral people, roaming with their flocks and herds during the summer season, from place to place. The animal from which they derive their principal support is a peculiar species of the bovine tribe, called the Yak or Grunting ox. The milk of the females is used by the people for various purposes. It is made into curd, which is eaten with herbs and milk. Butter is also made from the cream; but the mode of churning is, perhaps, as novel as some of the modes for which patents have been granted. Dr. H. describes it as follows:"They have two kinds of churn; one is a goat-skin in which the cream is encased and beaten, stamped upon, and rolled; the other is an oblong box, a yard in length, full of rhododendron twigs, frosted with butter and-maggots." The Thibetans have ponies, some of which Dr. H. and his party rode. He says they never missed a foot," in the worst places. "Sharp rocks, KITCHEN 14 X 11 oven and arch kettle. There is no fire-place in the house, stoves being preferred. A. cellar stairs, B. chamber stairs, s. s. stoves. There is room in the chamber for 2 good sleeping apartments. The house is built with boardwalls clapboarded outside and plas stered inside, making the walls solid, and of course there is no place for rats or mice. The windows are double, each sash containing four lights, each 9 by 14 inches. The cellar is 14 feet square, and 7 feet deep; the walls of split granite, pointed and plastered; the underpinning of split stone laid in the best manner. Whole cost about $500. It will be seen that, for a small family, this house is very convenient. There is room enough for all practical purposes. and what is equally important, no waste room. The old fashion of building a large addition to live in, is becoming obsolete, and smaller, two story house to look at, and putting up a one story more tasteful and convenient dwellings are being built instead. If any one has a house built after a W. L. better plan than this, Jam glad of it. EATON. East Weare, N. H. Chiccory or Succory. Coffee, as prepared for sale in the several coun tries of Europe, is said to be greatly adulterated by an admixture of the ground root of a plant called chiccory. The variety used for this purpose is call. ed in France, chiccoree de cafe. It is supposed to have been derived from Egypt, where, as well as in Arabia, it is much used as human food. The adulteration of coffee by this substance, is thought by some to rather improve than injure the flavor of the coffee, and even to render it more wholesome. The demand for the roots for this purpose, has rendered its cultivation very profitable in certain districts. The plant is also cultivated for forage, the tender stems and leaves being much relished by cattle and sheep The plant is perennial, and will, it is said, yield good crops year after year, on the same ground. The North British Agriculturist gives the following directions in regard to its cultivation : "To do justice, it should be sown on clean land, in good condition, to insure a fair return. After the land has received a deep winter furrow, and been twice plowed in spring, and perfectly clear of root weeds, we would recommend it to be sown in drills, at from 11 to 16 inches broad, according to the richness of the soil. The drills may be formed by a neat slight paring plow, from 4 to 5 pounds may sow an acre, as the plants, when left for food, should stand from 4 to 8 inches apart in the row. Some advise not to sow till May, as some of the plants, if sown earlier. may be apt to run to seed the first year. Should the plants be intended to remain for years to yield forage, a few plants running to seed the first season can do little harm. If the stems be cut over before they are far advanced, the root will receive little damage. We have found it a safe practice to sow about the middle of April; but where the root for grinding is the object, as they, in that case, are all to be taken up for use in the autumn, it may be as well to defer sowing till the end of April, after which period few will be found to run to seed the first season." The best time Cutting Timber. acid of the sap, which would thus be neutralised and rendered inactive. The suggestion is reasonable. and is not unsupported by actual results. Mr. R. quotes from what he considers a "well-written article by an anonymous correspondent" of the Ame. rican Agriculturist, vol. viii, p. 274, in reference to the causes of decay in timber. That article was certainly well written," and attracted our attention when it appeared originally in the London Gardeners' Chronicle, by whose editor, the celebra. ted botanist, Dr. LINDLEY, it was probably writ ten. It had the signature of " B.," in the Agri. culturist. Strength of Wire. As the subject of wire fences is now receiving considerable attention, and as inquiry has been made in regard to the strength of different descriptions of wire, we give the following table from an essay which lately received a prize from the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. It shows the number of pounds each of the sizes of various kinds sustained before breaking. The lengths tested were ten feet. The wire called "common" was the ordinary wire of commerce, and is said to be made mostly from the coarser sorts of iron. The prepared" wire is made from a finer description of iron, is more carefully manufactured, and is superior in quality to the former. "Charcoal" wire is consi dered the best and strongest of any of the qualities made. It is drawn from iron which is worked chiefly by wood charcoal. The "annealed" wire is considered "the very worst that can be put into a fence. From its being soft, it is readily stretched by any weight or pressure that may be brought to bear against it; and as a consequence is thrown from one side to the other, as stock may happen to touch it." It is said also, to oxydise, or rust more easily than any other kinds. No. 8 broke with do. No. 8 broke No. S broke No. 8 broke with Common Wire. Without perceptibly stretching. Annealed Wire. 605 lbs.-stretched about 4 inches. do. 832 do.— do do 3 do. do. 1282 do.- do do 2 do. Prepared Wire. with 955 lbs.-stretched about 1 inch. with 1274 lbs. Stretched about the same as prepared wire. Good and Bad Management. A pamphlet has been published under the supervi sion of A. S. ROBERTS, Esq., Corr. Secretary of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, in reference to the best time for cutting timber for fen. cing and other agricultural purposes. It embraces the substance of letters received from various persons, who had been requested to communicate the results of their observation on this subject. The writers do not profess to found their opinions on experiments conducted in such a manner as to fully settle the question; on the contrary, so far as conclusions are given, they are drawn from such facts as have fallen in the way of the respective individuals. For this reason, it is not, perhaps, strange that they should present great diversity-some being in favor of the winter as the best time, others the During a ride in our county not many weeks ago, spring, others midsummer, and others autumn. Se. I could but notice a noble looking orchard, of a hunveral, perhaps a majority, of the writers are in fa- dred trees, planted more than twenty years ago, by vor of June, or that part of the season when the the man who now lives upon it. Yet that orchard bark will most easily peel off. Such has been the hardly produces good fruit enough to supply the fa conclusion to which our own observation has tended. mily of the owner, and the sour dwarfed fruit is of It may be here suggested as probable, that the ge- no particular value for swine or cider. His neighneral durability of timber cut at this season of the bor not far off has an orchard some five years young. year, is attributable to its being divested of its er, of about half the size, and in a more unfavora bark as soon as cut, and exposed at once to the dry-ble location; yet he supplies himself and many of ing influence of the atmosphere, which soon evapo. rates the moisture, causing so great a shrinkage as effectually to close the pores, rendering it there. after almost impervious to the agents of decomposition. Mr. Roberts suggests the propriety of soaking fresh-cut timber in a solution of lime. He thinks the sap might in this way be displaced by a deposite of lime, or that the lime might combine with the his neighbors, and sells enough of his noble pippins and greenings to pay his hired men, and keep his bill for family groceries from accumulating. The se cret of all the difference is, the latter man actually expended $5 in grafting that orchard, and has occasionally expended an hour's labor in pruning and cultivating those grateful trees. During that ride, I saw a man feeding ten long, lank, lean swine, which will hardly furnish his fami ly with pork, bacon and lard, for a twelve month. Before I had travelled five miles farther, I saw an. other man with seven, about the same age, and he will probably have nearly a ton of pork to sell. Another man's fences, outbuildings and garden, were a disgrace to the man, a disgrace to the neigh borhood, and to the county; while another as great. ly honored himself in them all; thus making it ap parent to my mind that a man can as signally honor or dishonor himself on a piece of ground only large enough for a garden, as on a farm of 100 or 500 acres.-R. G. Pardee's Address. Dairying in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. EDS. CULTIVATOR-Perhaps it may not be unin. teresting to many of your readers to hear something from us, especially those at the west, who regard us as almost in the frozen region. I am inclined to think that many of the accounts of products from different parts of the country, that appear in your pages, are among that class of farmers who are both able and willing to expend more in their business than a great majority of farmers are able to do. I have had 100 acres of land previous to last year. I now have 130 acres; have frequently cut from 70 to 80 or 90 tons of hay, and raised my own grain, and some to spare. My best crop of spring wheat (for I raise no other) 30 bushels per acre-China wheat. Last season was uncommonly dry with us, no rain at all having fallen for many weeks. The hay crop was light, and the pastures were dried up. Meadows after haying, dried and sunburnt-there being no after feed at all. Grain was light. Hay was sold this spring at $10 per ton, and then was drawn from 5 to 30 miles. Bear these things in mind, as you read the amount of butter and cheese from my dairy last season. The cheese weighed from the press 8,343 pounds. But ter, twice thoroughly worked, 2,200 pounds. Num. ber of cows in May, 25; bought in June and July, and sold in October. Average number about 28. Averaged nearly 300 pounds of cheese and 80 pounds of butter per cow. I reckon 3 pounds of cheese for each pound of butter, according to the estimate of some Ohio dairymen, which would equal about 534 pounds of cheese per cow. I should like to hear from other dairymen in our county and in Vermont, through your columns. G. A. HANCHET. Potsdam, May, 1850. On the Height of Corn. EDS. CULTIVATOR-In the year 1842, I travelled through a portion of the state of Ohio. The season was a poor one for corn. I measured three different fields on the Raccoon creek, in Licking county, and found it thirteen feet high. I was told that on the same soil, it grew sixteen feet in good seasons. I saw a field of two hundred acres on the bank of the Muskingum, near Coshocton, where the height was said to be the same as above. The largest corn that I saw in my own state, that year, was between Syracuse and Fayetteville. It was eight feet high. This I have found to be the usual height of our best yellow corn in some of our most favorable seasons. There is one remarkable difference between the northern corn and the gourd seed varieties, which are cultivated in Ohio and farther south. The ear of the southern corn unites with the stalk above the centre of it, while our northern corn unites with it below the centre. C. E. G. Utica. notice. Sale of the Bates Short-Horns. The public sale of this noted herd of cattle took place on the 9th of May last, agreeably to previous the sale, but the following extract from a letter We have not received a detailed account of received from L. G. MORRIS, Esq., who attended mals are to come to this country. The letter is da as a purchaser, will show that several of the ani ted Kirkleavington, May 10. attendance was from three to five thousand, from al"The great Bates sale took place yesterday. The most all parts of the world. The average price was about 63 guineas, the highest price 205, and the lowest priced sound animal was 30 guineas. Mr. Colling's sale reached higher prices, but it was when England was in a more prosperous state than it now is; and the terms of sale more liberal than these. Mr. Bates' heirs and executors are in chancery, and all business done through a receiver, who made the terms half cash down, and balance on delivery of the animals, which was to take place five or six days at farthest from the date of sale. The risk of the animals immediately on being struck down was to be borne by the purchaser. I purcha sed three head, and Mr. Becar of Smithtown, Long Island, purchased four head. I did not make my purchases until I had examined all the herds of any note in the counties of Yorkshire and Durham, which are the finest Short-horned sections in the world; and even then I did make my final selection until I had re-examined Mr. Bates' herd several times. The only animals I bid on, I purchased." Farming in Rhode Island. Mr. S. B. HALLIDAY, of Cranston, R. I., gives an account in the Providence Journal, of the products of his farm for 1849, from which we take the following. The size of the farm is not stated, nor is the number of cows kept for the dairy, mentioned. "Of potatoes, I have dug about 1200 bushels; turneps, 1200 bushels; carrots, 600 bushels; pars. neps 200 bushels; table beet, 1000 bushels; mangel wurtzel, 500 bushels; spinnach, 300 bushels; toma. toes, 200 bushels; white cabbage, 20,000 heads; savoy cabbage, 25,000 heads; broccoli, 2000 heads; lettuce, 20,000 heads; egg plants, 400; salsify, (oyster plant,) 2000; rhubarb, (pie plant,) 3000 lbs.; asparagus, 1000 lbs. ; pickles, 20,000; corn, 2000 bushels, ears; rye, 100 bushels; millet, 20 tons; green rye and clover, 40 tons; English hay, 10 tons; buckwheat, 3 tons; 250 lbs. spinnach seed; 200 lbs. beet seed; 40 lbs. of turnep seed. In ad. such as celery, carrot, radish, &c. dition to this, we raise nearly all our small seeds, The dairy yields for the year, about 20,000 gallons milk." The Cheese Trade. HENRY KEMP & Co., of New-York, have issued a circular in which it is stated that the supply of cheese brought to the tide-waters of the Hudson for the year 1849, was 42,097, 818 pounds, against 43,278,526 pounds in 1848. The decrease the past year is artributed to the severe drouth of last summer in Western New York and Ohio. The export of cheese to Great Britain from New-York, is said to have reached last year 12,000,000 pounds, against 15,386,836 in 1848, being a decrease of one-fifth. At the sale of Mr. Charles Colling's herd, in 1910, 47 animals brought £7115.173. The highest price for bulls was 1000 guineas, for Comet; and the highest price for cows was 410 guineas, for Lily. Another bull, Petrarch, brought 365 guineas; and the cow Countcs 400 guineas. EDS. This decrease is attributed to the inferior quality of the cheese. Of good cheese probably double the amount exported last year would be taken by Great Britain. The receipts of cheese at New-York in 1834 were only about six million pounds, from which they have gone on in a regular gradation of increase to 1848, when 43,278,526 pounds were received. The exports to Great Britain commenced in 1840 with seven hundred thousand pounds, and have increased to fifteen million pounds in 1848. Water Lime, &c. clevis ;-be sure that you have both chains just tight enough to permit the block to lie in the turrow; allow no slack. The short chain gathers the clover, weeds, &c., and bends them down; the weight of the block prevents the chain from rising, and the plow laps the dirt over the weeds, whilst they are in a recumbent position. I am this day turning under weeds as high as the heads of the plowmen, who are almost wholly concealed. Saving Clover Seed. the Cultivator is an inquiry from C. W. Cathcart, EDS. CULTIVATOR-In the January number of respecting the saving of clover seed at the East. I will give you onr mode in Litchfield county, Conn. with our scythes and mow when the dew is on, beAt the proper time for securing the crop, we go ing careful to stop as soon as the dew is off. In it remain in the swath until it is cured, then rake it cloudy or foggy weather we mow all day. We let into winnows, and roll it into small heaps while it is thrash or tread it off from the straw, either on the damp with dew. In the after part of the day, barn floor or on a bed made in the field for the pur EDS. CULTIVATOR-I should like to be informed how water lime, or the common cement used in laying stone to guard against water, will do on wood. Will it do to plaster a coat of it over the roofs of old buildings? If so, what is the mode of preparation? Do you prepare the mortar different from that used in laying stone? I should like advice also on the subject of laying water lime pipe, to conduct water for common watering purposes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of pipe, as compared with lead pipe? And, lastly, what can I do to prevent plum and cherry trees from blistering, or raising black bunches, and what is the remedy to restore them to soundness? pose. J. A. CHENEY. Cooperstown, May 19, 1850. Rotation of Crops. EDMUND RUFFIN, Esq., of Marlbourne, Va., a successful farmer and well-known writer on the subject of agriculture, gives the following as a rotation which he has practiced with advantage: 1st year-Corn, (on grass land, grazed the preceding year until July or August only,)-and secondary crop of peas, planted or sown among the growing corn. 2d year-Peas, sown broad-cast, and plowed under in September, for 3d year-Wheat on pea-fallow-clover sown. 4th year-Clover-(which receives all the stable and barn-yard manure)-first growth mown, where fit, and second plowed under in August and September, for 5th year-Wheat on clover fallow. 6th year-Pasture, from spring until the wheat fields are cleared to admit the grazing stock. To Plow in Clover, Weeds, &c. Those who have undertaken to plow in green crops, know the difficulty frequently attending the operation, on account of the liability of the plow to be clogged, and the vegetable matter being left uncovered. A correspondent of the American Farmer gives the following description of a contrivance he has adopted, which is stated to answer the purpose completely: Saw off a block from some hard, durable, and heavy wood; say about ten inches long, and three and a half or four inches in diameter; then take a piece of trace chain, about three feet long, confine one end to the block, by driving a small staple in the end, having first passed the staple through an end link of the chain. Point the other end of the block, and attach a larger chain in the same manner to that. Tie the short chain (attached to the square end of the block,) to the rod which passes through the mouldboard and beam of the plow, by wrapping it around the beam at that place; drop the block in the bottom of a furrow which has been already opened, (of course on the mould-board side,) draw up the long chain, and attach that to the clevis pin or If it is threshed in the field, it will be necessary to take up the chaff every night, as it gathers moisture from the ground, which greatly retards the cleaning. We consider it best, when we can, to use the barn floor, and let the seed remain until we finish the field. By keeping the chaff level on the floor, we can work to advantage until the chaff accumulates to the depth of three feet or more. The greatest difficulty, in treading it from the straw with cattle or horses, is the time required to shake the chaff from the straw, so that it will not be thrown out with the straw; but in my opinion it is decidedly best to use oxen in thrashing. In this way a load the size of a ton of hay can be thrashed at three or four floorings, and three turnings to each flooring will make it entirely clean. We then carry the chaff to the mill, where it is cleaned in good order for market, for one dollar per bushel. The machine is manufactured by Harmon Baldwin, Esq., of Washington, Litchfield county, Conn., and was put up and set running in this vicinity, for (I think) $120. The machine requires but a small power to carry it, probably not an eighth of that required for a run of provinder stores. A SUB SCRIBER. Harvesting Grain. EDS. CULTIVATOR. Grain Harvesting is an important business of the farmer, and when the season for performing it arrives, every other business should give place to it. From observation, I am satisfied that farmers generally let their grain stand too long before cutting. When left to get ripe, a great deal shells out and wastes in the harvesting; but if cut when the straw is green, this waste is saved, and the flour is of better quality, and the grain is heavier, as has been proved by experiment. In good weather, wheat and rye may be taken up in one day from the cradle or sickle, bound in convenient bundles, and set up in shocks of four, ten, or twelve bundles each. With wheat or oats two bundles may be laid, crossing each other on the top of the shock, which will serve to shed off the rain. With rye, a shock of bundles set up with the butts well braced, and no cap sheaf set on, is found to cure better, and in case of a long storm, is less liable to sprout than when shocked in the old way |