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[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] PEAS BEANS AND MANGOLDS. MESSRS. EDITORS-Noticing a call for the experience of farmers in raising peas, beans, and mangolds, I have concluded to say a few words in relation to the cultivation of these crops. Although it may not be advisable as a gene ral rule, to substitute the cultivation of peas or beans in the place of other and more standard crops, yet there are many circumstances in which they may be grown to good advantage. As where corn has failed to make a good stand in consequence of worms, grubs, or seed rotting in the ground, or late spring frost. There were thousands, and probably hundreds of thousands of acres of corn, that were cut down by the great June frost last year, that might have been sown to peas, or planted to beans, to good advantage. Also where, for any other reason, other spring crops cannot be put in in season to do well, peas or beans may be substituted to good advantage. It being one of the principal advantages of raising these crops, that they can be put in any time the fore part of June, with a reasonable prospect of a fair crop.

much more to the acre. Mangolds have several other advantages, as in consequence of a quicker growth when small, and a greater distance apart in the rows, it is not near the work to weed them that it is to weed carrots; and as they are not troubled by the fly or any other insect, there is much less difficulty in getting a good stand of plants than there is with the turnip or rutabaga.

I have found it a very good way to plant my mangold seed. I use the same planting bag, used to plant corn out of. Plant the rows about two feet apart, the hills a foot apart in the rowe, two or three seeds in the hill. This saves a good deal of work in weeding, and thinning And I have never had any difficulty in getting a good stand of plants in this way.

out.

Mangolds, as well as all other roots, should be well hoed as soon as the rough leaf appears. Then the weeding can all be done with a good square cornered hoe, with less than half the work that it will cost if they are neglected until the weeds get the start of the crop, and have to be pulled by hand. The reason so many farmers think that roots don't pay, is that the first hoeing is neglected until A neighbor raised an excellent crop of peas last year, the weeds get several inches high. Then they go through, that were sown about the middle of June. The soil on them on their knees, and pull the most of the weeds by which they were grown, of a character varying from hand, which is a very slow back-breaking operation. Nor a sandy loam to a stiff clay-the peas doing equally well is the great amount of labor then required the only trouble. on all parts of the lot, of which there was some sixteen The growth of the crop is not only badly checked, but acres. The land was fall-powed, and put in a fine condi- pulling a thick mat of strongly rooted weeds, that have tion for the seed immediately before sowing, by the tho-grown close to the tender young plant, will loosen its hold rough use of the harrow, gang-plow, and roller. No manure was applied to the crop-the soil in what may be called a fair but not high state of cultivation. The yield estimated at over thirty-five bushels per acre. Another thing worth noticing in regard to this crop, is that it was cut before it was dead ripe, and the straw made very good fodder, especially for sheep, and was all used to good ad

vantage.

Peas may be sown early, and fed in the fall, where it is doubtful of getting a good crop from late seeding, and undoubtedly would be profitable for farmers that keep a good many hogs. But in that case, a portion should be sown late, for seed, on account of the bug. It would also be very good economy for every farmer to sow a few bushels of peas for seed, late enough in the season to raise seed clear from bugs; and thus always have seed on hand, when he wishes to sow peas where some other crop

has failed.

As to which is the best crop to raise, much depends on circumstances. On strong rich loams and clay soils, peas would do the best. On lighter and poorer land, it would be best to plant beans. Beans would also be best for a market crop. But to raise to feed, I should prefer peas, as being easier to raise and take care of, and likely to pro

duce the most to the acre.

According to my own experience, which has extended through several years, though not on a very large scale, peas are altogether the most profitable crop to raise, generally producing more bushels to the acre, and at a much less cost for cultivation. I have made a practice for several years of sowing a small piece of peas about the first week in June; and have never failed to raise fair crops that were entirely free from bugs. And for the future never mean to be without good seed peas and beans, so that when corn, or any other crop, is likely to fail, they will be ready to sow or plant in its place.

MANGOLDS.-For some years I have been satisfied that raising roots was a paying institution: And for the last ten years have not been without a "patch" of carrots, mangolds, or turnips; the most of the time having all three. Although as a general thing I have raised the most of and given the preference to carrots-principally because I have used them to feed milch cows and horses, and because my land, being a light, sandy loam, is well adapted to the carrot. I have also raised mangolds to very good advantage, and think they are better suited to all kinds of soils, and can be raised at a less cost per bushel than any other kind of roots. But where roots have to be raised on clay soils, I think mangolds have a decided advantage over all other kinds, being a much surer crop, and yielding

of the soil materially, and result in great damage to the crop, if it is not entirely ruined.

So much depends on thorough and seasonable hoeing, that where it is well attended to, and the land rich and in good order, mangolds, as well as other roots, are very profitable. While, although everything else may be favorable, if they are badly neglected, they may result in an actual loss to the owner. F. Orleans Co., N. Y.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] LICE ON CATTLE.

I have used various remedies for destroying this "hor rid plague;" but have found none that will accomplish it so neatly, expeditiously, and effectually as alcohol. If C. H. M. will procure a couple of quarts, (costing about 30 cents,) and thoroughly wet the affected parts with it, repeating the operation in about two weeks, (if necessary,) I will warrant a perfect cure for his "half a dozen head of calves."

I have tried this remedy repeatedly, and never knew it It is attended with no injury to the cattle. I to fail. prefer a rainy day for the operation, for the reason that the hair being partially wet, will not absorb so much of the alcohol-allowing it to spread over a larger surface. They should not be too wet however, else the alcohol will become too much diluted to kill the "varmints."

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I would advise C. H. M. to do the job himself, or oversee it. If his "Pat" is like mine, he will be too apt to "make way" with the alcohol, and rub the calves with the empty bottle.

All who try the above remedy, either on their own heads or on their cattle, are requested to "report" through THE CULTIVATOR and COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, for the benefit of the whole world and the "rest of mankind." Hebron, N. Y.

F. L. C.

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(For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] ASHES AS A MANURE.

EDS. CO. GENT.-The value of ashes in an agricultural point of view, is, we fear, far from being sufficiently appreciated by farmers. Many are in the habit of selling them, at from eight to twelve cents a bushel, when they might get a much higher price in the increased product, if they applied them as a manure to their crops. We will mention some of the results from their use occurring in our experience, in which we have always found them of material benefit on all dry soils.

Some years since we applied ashes, at the rate of forty bushels per acre, to a gravelly loam soil, in grass at the time, to the very manifest improvement of the product. This ground was plowed up the next spring for corn and potatoes, as well as some joining to which our ashes were applied, and the benefit of the application was plainly seen, in about double the product of the ashed over the unashed portion. The potato vines withstood the severe drouth of that year perfectly, and gave excellent fair potatoes, and the corn was equally benefitted.

The effect of the application of ashes in quantity is felt for several years. In this as in all our other trials, the product showed plainly the extent of the plot covered with ashes for several years. The same fact may be noticed of the burning of heaps of logs and brush-the ground covered by them retains its fertility for a long

time.

As a top-dressing for corn, we apply two or three tablespoonfuls to the hill just before hoeing the first time, and find it profitable. We have noticed again and again, a sufficient improvement to pay for the labor at a dollar a day, and double price for the ashes, and believe that they hasten the maturity and thus increase the certainty and amount of the crop. Two years ago we gave a dressing of thirty bushels per acre to a part of our cornfield, harrowing the ashes in just before planting; and had then the largest corn, and the next year the best barley, and now the best wheat of any portion of the lot, the whole being otherwise treated alike for each crop. We have applied them in the same way to barley with equal good

result.

For composting with muck, ashes are of much value nearly equal to lime, bushel for bushel, to hasten the decomposition of vegetable matter and fit it to benefit the

soil.

Also in garden culture and for orchard trees, ashes prove profitable, and we hope every farmer will give them a fair trial before he allows them to be sold off the farm. Other manures should be used, and used freely; but ashes will assist in bringing their virtues into the state most available to the crop, as well as having an ameliorating mechanical effect upon the soil.

B.

[For the Cultivator and Country Gentleman.] MORE ABOUT RINGBONE. EDS. COUNTRY GENTLEMAN-I noticed in a late number, an inquiry for the cure of what is called a ringbone, from a correspondent who had a fine mare troubled with one for something over a year, and the answer was that there was no cure for a confirmed ringbone.

Now two years ago this winter, I had a fine colt that had a ringbone on each of its hind feet, and was so lame some of the time that I could hardly get it out and in the stable. I did not do anything for it till spring, and they got so bad that the colt had to walk upon its heels with its feet turned up, and I supposed that she was almost worthless. Finally one of my neighbors told me that he had a remedy for a bone spavin, and it was said to be a sure cure for ringbone, and wished me to try it. It was this: Take common salt and pound or grind it as fine as you can possibly get it, and mix it with spirits of turpentine enough to make it something like paste, and rub it on the ringbones (or spavin) once in two or three days, for three or four times, and if they have not been of too long standing, I think you will effect a sure cure. This colt of mine had but three applications of this medicine, and I then turned her

out to pasture and she soon grew better, and in a short time was entirely free from lameness, and has been ever since. She is now coming three years old, and has as sound feet as any colt, though there are some bunches to be seen yet, but I think in two years more they will entirely disappear. P. North Bridgewater.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] UNLOADING HAY.

MESSRS. EDITORS-I noticed a call last summer for a contrivance to take a load of hay from the cart all at once, and dump it in the mow, and I have watched the agricul tural papers to see the plan come out, but as none has appeared that I have seen, I will venture to suggest one for the benefit of all, if it should prove a benefit.

My plan is, to have two or more endless ropes spread on the cart rigging, and load on them, and when in the barn, bring the ropes together on the top, on a strong double hook made fast to a stout rope; this rope may run through tackles, with a horse outside, similar to the plan of unloading with a horse fork, while a man with a guy-rope over a pulley, back side of the mow, can direct it where he chooses, Then let down and unhook the ropes on one side, and pull them out with the same power that hoisted it.

Another way, to hoist without the horse, is to have a wheel, similar to what merchants use for hoisting hogsheads of molasses and other merchandize, hung in the ridge of the barn, and operated in the same way, with guy-rope as in the other plan. Where a barn is built with the floor on one side the barn, with short middle beams, the wheel can be hung partly over the mow, so that it will need less power on the guy-rope. Now, brother farmers, if you think of a better plan for unloading hay, please let us hear it; don't run away to Washington after a patent first. Bethlehem, Conn.

L. F. SCOTT,

[For the Cultivator and Country Gentleman.] AGRICULTURAL PAPERS.

that the Co. GENT. is a "paying institution," (I mean to MESSRS. EDITORS-I often see from your correspondents those who take it.) There is no doubt of it, for I do not believe that any one can read it attentively, from week to week, without being made wiser-especially farmers, in regard to their calling. Even Slipshod would find it difficult to pursue his slovenly course after taking the GENT. He would see such a contrast between neatness and thrift, as advocated in the said paper, and his practice-that the reading of it would be like an application of hot blankets

keeping him in a sweat, I imagine, until his system (of farming) became cleansed from many of its impurities, and would finally result in a reformation. But the difficulty is to get this class of men to take and read an agricultural paper-the very ones that need it most.

I became almost eloquent the other day in trying to persuade an individual to take an agricultural paper, but I found my arguments were not appreciated-about all the reason assigned for a refusal was-"weak eyes " and a "want of time to read." Thinks I to myself the weak spot is just above the "eyes," and as to the want of time-why, that is the result of the weakness, and a lack of a more systematical way of doing things. I should consider myself in a "bad way" if I could not find time to read the GENT. and one or two other papers of the kind-notwithstanding I perform more than half the labor upon à fifty acre farm, and intend to have the work done in a "gentleman" like manner-all devoted to tillage and meadows. I prize your paper highly, as it is a weekly visitor-filled with valuable reading-just such information as every farmer needs-a month is too long an interval-a weekly often gives a hint just in the nick of time. My way is to begin at the beginning, and read it through, noting such things as are adapted to my circumstances and wants, that "stand to reason." By pursuing this course, I think your present readers, and many who are not, would be greatly benefitted by the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, Jefferson Co., N. Y.

J. L. R.

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Inquiries and Answers.

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DESTROYING CANADA THISTLES.-Will you or some of your subscribers, inform me how to kill Canada thistles. The seed was sown in a yard of about fifty feet square for clover seed, and as there is no thistles here of the kind, we wish to prevent their spreading further. The yard is a perfect mat of thistles. Any information whereby we may dispose of them, will be thankfully received. C. T. SAMSON. Jones Co, Iowa. [Canada thistles are very easily destroyed, by observing one simple requisite, namely, to prevent their growing above ground, or in other words not to allow them to breathe. If they are cut off with a hoe the very moment they appear at the surface of the ground, the roots will in a few months die. But if they are allowed to rise a few inches above the surface each time before cutting off, they will not be destroyed, the temporary supply thus furnished by the young leaves keeping the roots alive. A small patch may be smothered in one season with a layer of boards, covering the joints closely with a second layer. The best and cheapest way on a large scale, is successive deep plowings, the first early in summer or about the time they appear in blossom, and the rest about once in three or four weeks, or as soon as the young plants begin to peep. The plowing must be very thorough and perfect, and not leave any stragglers, and the crop will be completely killed in one year. This mode succeeds best on heavy soils-on light or porous ones, the plowing must be more frequent and more thorough and perfect. On a small scale, when the plow cannot be used, the same result may be obtained by successive spadings; but in a door-yard, which cannot be spaded, an unremitting use of the hoe will do the work effectually.]

surface of the soil in the day time. They commit their depredations in all kinds of soil, poor and fertile, and are not, like the wire worm, repelled by fresh manure. It was formerly a notion that when one of them was cut in two with a hoe, each end grew, and made thus two worms-about as likely as that a pig's tail cut off will grow and make a second pig. There are three remedies, all of which may be combined. As they eat off but a single corn plant at a time, plant a double quantity of seed, according to the old rule

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One for the blackbird, and one for the crow,

And two for the cut worm, and four for to grow." Next, employ a few active boys to pass every morning along the rows, and whenever they see a plant beginning to wither, dig for and easily find the depredator-or offer them so much per dozen or hundred for all they can find and bring in a tin pail. A third remedy is to take a dibber, (or sharp iron tool an inch or two in diameter,) and make a smooth hole beside each hill. The worms will fall in and cannot get out. We know of no remedy for the white grub but to employ boys as mentioned above.

BROOM CORN-Have you a work on the culture and gathering or harvesting of broom corn? What is the present price per ton and the best market to buy it? I do not see the price quoted in any newspaper, or in the "Country Gentle man. I see an account of a large yield of broom corn on page 240 of vol. 14, in the Co. Gent., this is all I can find in relation to the above. J. N. F. Two Rivers, Wis. [There is no book issued on this subject, as we are aware, but our correspondent will find some notes upon it in another column, in answer to another inquirer.

MOLE PLOWS. An Iowa correspondent wishes the opin ions and experience of the farmers in the western states, in relation to the use of mole plows for draining, and we shall be pleased to hear from any of our readers on the subject.

SEEDING TO GRASS.-I have a meadow lot that I wish to seed down. I have had corn on it two years. Last fall I BEANS.-Will you or some of your correspondents, inform commenced, and this spring finished thoroughly underdrainme what variety of bean is the most profitable to raise for ing it with tile. I have now put in oats-would you in the market-whether a tolerably strong limestone soil would be fall put in rye and timothy, and clover next spring? or rye adapted to its culture-when they should be planted--and this fall, and timothy next fall, ('61,) and clover the follow-how? o. N. w. Dover, Ky. [There are several varieties of iug spring, ('62,) or leave out the rye altogether? An answer the white bean, differently known in various neighborhoods, will much oblige R. New-Jersey. [The mode of seed- that have been found profitable for field culture-but we are ing must vary with wants and circumstances. Should the unable to any which is best, or to give the several names. ground be quite moist at the close of summer, it may be at Different sorts have proved favorites in their respective localonce seeded to timothy alone, brushing it in, and a good crop ities. Sufficient attention appears not to have been given to the will be produced next year. If clover is a principal object, improvement of varieties for farm crops. The value of bean the operation may be left till early spring, and the clover and meal for milch cows in winter, is such as to commend their timothy alone sown and brushed or rolled in. If a crop of cultivation, even if there should be no other market for them.] grain is a prominent object, seed as usual with the grain, in CLOVER. Last summer there was a little patch of strange which case the crop of grass will not be afforded until 1862. It resembles the We think the practice will yet be more generally adopted of looking clover, started up on our farm. seeding down without any grain or other crop at the time, ordinary red clover, except that it grows taller, is earlier, where good, thorough and clean farming prevails. The only and has an entire different blossom, which is of a deep puradvantage of seeding with a grain crop is the saving of one ple color, and much larger than the ordinary clover blossom. Is this the "pea-vine clover," that I see advertised in your plowing, while it has several disadvantages.] columns? The seed is uniformly a deep yellow, and somewhat larger than the common red clover seed. Perhaps we are behind the age in this section. A word from yourselves or correspondents may enlighten us. F. G. D. Berks Co., Pa.

ASHES AS MANURE.-There are large quantities of leached ashes shipped from this quarter-they have not been used for manure about here-please post us up on the subject, and oblige the readers of the Cultivator in RoUSE'S POINT. N. Y. [Ashes, whether leached or unleached, have generally proved beneficial, if applied at the rate of a hundred bushels or so per acre; in some instances the benefit has been eminent and striking-in others more moderate, and in a few imperceptible. Experiment is needed in each locality to determine the amount of the benefit. We would by all means recommend our readers at Rouse's Point to keep and apply their ashes, and measure its results.]

EGYPTIAN CORN.-Please inform me whether you have any knowledge of this corn, or the person who advertises it. I have sometimes sent money to such advertisements, and received neither seed nor answer. If you know the article to be genuine you may send me one dollar' worth, and I will remit you the money as you direct. MR. Montgomery Co., Pa. [We have no personal knowledge whatever in relation to this "Egyptian Corn," and as we keep no seeds of any kind for sale we could not in any event comply with our correspondent's request to send him "one dollar's worth."] GRUBS AND CUT WORMS.—I am now busily engaged plowing my ground for corn, and find it thickly infested with both black and white grubs, and knowing no remedy by which I can extirpate them, it induces me to seek through the medium of the Co Gentleman a remedy for their destruction which will not injure my corn. G. W. H.. Esopus, N. Y. [We suppose the black grub here spoken of, is the dark, dull colored worm often called the cut worm, which cuts off small plants of the corn in the night, and conceals itself under the

"BEER CORN."-Enclosed I send you a sample of what is here called " Beer Corn," said to have been found in a spring in the Rocky Mountains. This remarkable substance, when put into sweetened water, soon acts as a ferment, and produces a kind of beer. Any explanation in regard to its history or the rationale of its operation, would be doubtless acceptable to the readers of the "Country Gentleman.” Henderson, N. C. (We have no knowledge whatever in relation to the substance enclosed to us]

J. W.

ENGLISH YEW.-Have the English yew trees ever been Where can they be procured? grown in this country? [The English yew has been considerably cultivated in this country, and generally proves hardy, though sometimes à little bruised by sharp winters. It may be had of all the principal nurserymen who deal in ornamentals.]

It does best in the shade.

MORGAN HORSES.-Will you, or some of your subscribers, inform me, through THE CULTIVATOR, which was the best horse, in reference to speed and action combined with usefulness, that was ever got by the original Justin Morgan horse, and whether he had any Canadian blood about him. „J. H. HI. Sand Brook, N. J. We must leave the first question for others to answer. The old Justin Morgan horse had no Canadian blood in him.]

RICE MLAL. Can you not induce some of your errrespɔndents to communicate through the columns of Co. Gent, (which should be a "vade mecum" with all farmers and

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bird, yellow bird, Baltimore oriole, finch, thrush, lark, sparrow, wren, marin, swallow, or any bird of the species of woodpecker or other harmless bird; nor shall any person or persons kill, cage or trap any bobolink or robin, between the first day of February and the first day of October, in each year, under a fine of fifty cents for each bird so killed, caged or trapped."]

owners or lovers of farms, gardens, stock, &c,) their experi-State, kill, eage or trap any nightingale, nighthawk, blue ence in the feeding of rice meal? There has been considerable of it sold here during the past two years, and I should like to know from those who have tested it, the relative value of it when compared with oil meal, cotton seed meal, or corn meal. I have used several hundred weight find cattle and pigs very fond of it, but have not had any tests made of it. Perhaps some southern friend will favor us with particulars. J. H. New York. [We hope some of our readers may be able to answer the above.]

MOWER AND REAPER-I have twenty-five acres of fresh grass, and thirty of rye at home, and upon another place on the shore some fifteen acres of wheat and rye, and any quantity of salt meadow, that I please to mow. Now what I desire to know is, what kind of a combined reaper and mower shall I get to do all this work to the best advantage? I have been pleased with the Buckeye; but who has tried it on salt meadows, and will it work with an ox team as well as horses? Please reply through The Cultivator. B. O 5th mo. 2, 60. INQUIRY. Please to inform me what Nasturtium is, and how it is used. A READER. [Nasturtium is the botanic name of a cruciferous plant, known by the English name of water cress. With a slight change or Anglicism, the name is also applied more commonly to the Tropeolum, sometimes called Indian cress, often cultivated in gardens as an ornamental plant, but more frequently for its young fruit, used as a substitute for capers in pickling.

COLORING BLACK.-I would like to inquire if the recipe for making black ink, given lately in the Cultivator, would make good coloring for cloth, and whether it would be injurious to the cloth, &c. D. B. ROYE. [We are unable to answer this question.]

STOPPAGE OF MILK.-I have a cow, which has a stoppage in one of her teats up next to the udder. Is there any remedy for it? Some say, keep milking it, and all will be right in I have tried it and it is useless. I have never known an instance but what that part of the udder failed eventually. Butternuts.

time.

H. P. N.

RED CEDAR HEDGES.-Why would not "red cedar" make a good hedge? Have any of your readers tried it? D. M N. [We have seen some dense natural plantations of red cedar, that appeared nearly impenetrable, but most of the sheared hedges become open at bottom and do not succeed well. There are, however, occasional exceptions.]

WORKING MARES WITH FOAL-Should mares be worked when with foal? D. M. N. [Moderate or light work does well, but when severe it is injurious and sometimes fatal.] LIME. Is lime better to be applied in the fall or spring? D. M. N. [It is not important, provided it is finely powdered, so as to be evenly spread and diffused. Autumn application favors its more thorough diffusion through the soil, by the time spring crops are sown, and is thus a gain in time.]

CHESTNUT AND HEMLOCK BOARDS.-Which will last best, chestnut or hemlock boards? D. M. N. [Chestnut is the more durable; and many times more so where the boards are subject to the action of soil and air, as near the surface of the ground.]

SPREADING LIME.- Do you know of any machine that can be depended upon to spread any desirable quantity of lime to the acre. D. M. N. [The broadcast sowing machines will· spread pulverized lime, but we are unable at present to say how much is the largest quantity per acre-probably not in sufficient quantity to prove advantageous.]

ALDERNEYS.-A. R. C. We believe that strictly speaking, the channel island cattle are more correctly termed Jerseys, although usage with us predominates somewhat to the other, and even in some parts of Britain more common, designation.

F. You will find an admirable article on Draining, toSPANISH CHESTNUT.-I would like to ascertain through the gether with precisely the information for which you inquire medium of THE CULTIVATOR, if the European chestnut can on the subject of Fruits, in Volume Two of Rural Affairs, be cultivated to advantage in our climate. N. H. P. [The which we send postpaid for $1. It contains 450 engravings. Spanish chestnut, the most approved of the European sorts, GREEN CROPS.-Please give your opinion respecting the being much larger than our common chestnut, does well in use of green manure on grass land. E. S. A. Iowa. [Turnthe middle States, but is slightly tender at the north, where also the sensons are hardly long enough for the full perfectioning in green crops, as a general rule, is peculiarly adapted to increase the growth of grass] of the fruit.]

The receipt of the Schedule of Premiums offered by the Bucks Co., Pa., Ag. Society for their exhibition at Newtown, Sept. 26 and 27, affords us the opportunity of touching upon a topic, on which for various reasons we have heretofore preferred to say little. We refer to the substitution of Agricultural Journals in lieu of small money premiums, as awards at County or Town Exhibitions.

SITE FOR VINEYARD-GRADE CATTLE.-I wish to avail myself of the very valuable privilege afforded to your corres- AGRICULTURAL PAPERS AS PREMIUMS pondents and subscribers, of asking a little advice through the column of your paper devoted to "answers to inquiries." 1st. I wish to plant a vineyard of five or six acres, and have two sites selected, but cannot decide between them. One is in an old clean field on a hillside, facing southeast, and is a very rich black soil; the field has not been cultivated for some years, but has been in thick blue grass pasture The other site is on the same hillside, immediately above and adjoining the first, but is only partly cleared, and has never been plowed. It is a very nice rich soil, slightly interspersed with lime stones. Which of the places would be preferable, and what preparation should the ground undergo before setting out the vines? 2d. I have a bull calf whose grand sire and grand-dame on his mother's side, were imported Ayrshire, and all his other ancestors Herd Book short horns. Can he be called thorough-bred? W. MCGUIRE. Brooke Co, Va. [Probably either site would answer, provided the ground can be properly prepared, and kept well cultivated. cannot, for want of information on all local points, state positively which would be best, but may give some conditional suggestions. The lower site will probably be warmest, and will therefore ripen the crop sooner; the upper one will be more free from night-frosts, which sometimes farther north, injure the vines during the intense cold of winter. The preparation of the soil should be first plowing, next subsoil plowing to deepen and mellow the subsoil; and thirdly, deep trench plowing, to work in heavy applications of manuremaking the whole a deep, rich mellow bed. If the upper portion, being but partly cleared, cannot be thus prepared, it will of course be unsuitable. A cross between two distinct breeds is not a thorough-bred animal.]

We

It appears reasonable and proper, that the two agencies to which is undoubtedly due whatever of agricultural advancement we are now making-our Agricultural Societies and Papers-should work together wherever it is possible to promote the cause in which they are mutually engaged. The enlightened views and the conviction of the pressing importance of rural improvement, on the part of the founders and managers of many of our most flourishing Societies, owe their existence mainly or wholly to the agency which such periodicals as ours have exerted in diffusing an acquaintance with the experience elsewhere acquired, and the means of progress elsewhere devised. And it would be difficult, indeed, to estimate how large a share of the popular support which Societies are receiving, must also be ascribed to the same source.

LAW ABOUT BIRDS.-There was a law passed, I understand, It is not the intention with which we write however, to by our Legislature last winter, for the protection of birds. If challenge comparisons between the results accomplished such is the fact, will you please furnish us with its provi- by these two agencies, or to claim for either any support sions? G. T. [There was such a law passed, which declares

that "no person or persons shall, at any time, within this from its fellow beyond that which its intrinsic merits

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] VALUABLE BOOKS FOR FARMERS.

Farmers do not read half enough. If they would only spend their money for such agricultural papers as the Co. Gent. and Cultivator, and H. F. French's Farm Drainage, instead of spending their time reading so much flimsy trash as they are accustomed to read, they would be able to perform much more labor with the same force-would have more productive farms-would raise better crops and better stock of every kind, and would be far better citizens. When I was in Albany I purchased at the office of the Co. Gent., French's Farm Drainage to read in the cars while on my way home; and I am sure I got more than one dollar's worth of information out of it before I got home. Farmers should make a present of such books to their sons. That book will be of incalculable benefit to the country.

shall command. It may nevertheless be remarked that it was not until the agricultural press had already acquired a wide circulation, that our Societies were anywhere placed upon a popular and effective footing. It diffused the knowledge of those improvements, in adopting and advancing which the members of a Society compete together the introduction of better stock and implements, the extension of horticultural taste, and, more than all, the amelioration of farm-practice in those directions in which the Society is least able to exert a potent influence. It is the truth of this and much more that might be added, which, together with other considerations, early led the managers of Agricultural Societies to the idea of awarding copies of Agricultural journals instead of small money prizes. The very fact of their periodical appearI have just made a present to my wife of a new book ance, is calculated to be a contant reminder of the means just issued by C. M. Saxton, Barker & Co., 25 Park Row, New-York City, entitled "Our Farm of Four Acres." If by which they were obtained, aside from the direct incite-I had as many wives as King Solomon I would give each ment to effort presented by their contents.

perusal.

of them a copy of this book, so that they might learn to But in all these matters of policy, it is experience which make good butter, and to be the best housewife in butterbears the strongest testimony. Nowhere has this question dom. Farmers whose wives spend three or four hours in been tested so generally and on so large a scale as by the churning, and then have butter more like soap grease than butter, should get this book. I defy all Orange Co. to county societies in the State of Ohio, and in no State are turn out neater and sweeter butter than is made by my the societies-so far as at a distance one is able to judge-wife; but still she was able to learn many things from its more generally well established and full of vitality in 'good works." Several of the societies in this State, have made the experiment at different times upon a larger or smaller scale, and many are making it now; and we have had direct evidence of the fact that their prosperity and success has never been greater than when they were doing the most to induce their members to read, and to place the means of reading in their hands.

Another book, published by the same firm, which every. farmer should read, as it is replete with useful facts, is The Yale Lectures." Farmers who read most, generally succeed the best. S. EDWARDS TODD.

66

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COLT. MESSES. EDITORS-In the first place, never entrust him to the care of a person of ungovernable temper. Secondly, he should be treated with kindness from the beginning until he is ready for labor. Since Mr. Rarey laid his

The Society named at the head of this note, presents an additional case in which experience has justified the action of judicious managers in the direction alluded to. The Bucks Co. Society yields to none of its class in respecta-method of subduing the horse before the public, I have bility and influence, and its board of officers, headed by the President, WM. STAVELY, Esq., have been slowly feeling their way and testing the working of this system, until several hundred copies altogether, of this and other Agricultural journals, have now found a place upon its prize list.

made the horse and his diseases my study. The colt should be commenced with when quite young, and handled carefully, as he is quick to resent any injury. I begin as soon as he is able to run about-get him so that he will not run away at your approach-get his head in your hands-if he wants to get away, let him-you can easily get him again. After handling the head so that he is not afraid, pass on to the side and limbs. The sooner he gets used to having his legs handled, the easier he will be to

Another Pennsylvania Society that has fairly and fully tested the question, is that of Chester Co., the headquar-shoe when necessity requires it to be done. See that the ters of which are at West Chester; no one can be better qualified than its indefatigable Secretary, J. L. DARLINGTON, Esq., to judge of the working of the system after several years of thorough trial; and, in the present state of general interest in the question, perhaps he will be kind enough to communicate for the benefit of our readers, the results of his observation and experience. We know, at least, that his Society is constantly extending its sphere of active usefulness, for we have a letter before us from Mr. Darlington in relation to the proposed establishment of a Library for the consultation of its members.

We might allude to the testimony we have received from other States, particularly from the Societies and Farmers Clubs of Massachusetts, in farther support of what has been said. Our only object has been to respond as briefly as possible to recent inquiries as to the policy of our Societies upon this point as tested in the actual adop tion of the system, and it is with regard solely to the policy of the Societies themselves, that we have ventured to advocate its adoption.

FRESH STRAWBERRIES, says the California Farmer, San Francisco, March 23, "have appeared in our market, and are sold at $2.50 a pound."

dam gives plenty of milk. If she does not, teach the
colt to drink cow's milk; there is nothing better to pro-
mote the growth. Great care should be observed in not
using the dam so as to heat the milk, as a great many colts
are rendered worthless by so doing. I should in no case
let the colt remain with the mother after it is five months
old, as it gives her time to get in good condition for win-
ter, and it is also the best time for him to shift for him-
self; do not let him remain out after the nights get cold
and frosty, as it will do him no good, but much harm.
There is plenty of skimmed milk at this time of year;
give him all he will drink; it will not hurt him. After
he is weaned is the time to commence halter-breaking him;
the method if desired, I will give in my next, and also the
time of harnessing and driving the colt.
Northeast, N. Y.

A CONSTANT Reader.

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