at a time; by throwing out or feeding rather sparingly, cattle can be made to eat the whole of the stalk, which they will not do when more is given. The reason why corn stalks should not be cut too early, is, that when they are cut before fully ripe they will become acid, and the saccharine matter contained in them will become vinegar instead of sugar; and, consequently, much of the nutrition contained in the stalk will be lost; and, of course, cattle will not do well by feeding on them.

Oats. The average crop of oats per acre, in this county, does not exceed 30 bushels; but, on our best lands we may average about 70 bushels; and extra pieces give from 90 to 108 bushels per acre.

Rye yields no more than about 15 bushels per acre throughout the county.

Potatoes have, for a number of years, been a very bad crop. The past season has been an exception to the general rule: we have this year a good crop of potatoes. I planted more than an acre in the yam variety, from which I have 473 bushels to the acre. They were very little affected by the rot; and were raised on corn-stubble of last year, which was well manured with barn-yard manure and ashes. Except for the potato crop, no manure was used the past season. The land was ploughed about 8 inches deep, and planted in hills about 3 feet apart. Expense of ploughing, hoeing, and gathering, the acre, about $20— the potatoes now selling for 41 cents per bushel. Of this variety I had about 50 per cent. more than of any other which I had planted.

Yours, respectfully,

PETER CRISPELL, Jr.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS.

ARKPORT, STEUBEN COUNTY, N. Y.,

December 25, 1852.

SIR: It is with much pleasure that I proceed to make to you, in conformity to the Circular issued by your predecessor, a report of matters relating to the agricultural interests of this vicinity.

I have delayed doing so till this moment, not from any want of interest in the subject, or the most entire willingness to comply with your wishes, but in hopes of being able to furnish more accurate or reliable information, and a greater variety of details.

Certainly there is nothing which at present more demands the fostering care of government than the subject of American agriculture, and it is truly lamentable how little of that care it receives.

I shall endeavor to answer the Circular only in regard to the subjects with which I am most familiar.

Wheat.-Much more attention is being paid to the production of this staple crop than formerly, and farmers are beginning to find out that it can be raised successfully on something else besides "new land," and that, by proper tillage, the soil is actually growing better, instead of poorer, in its culture. The usual course pursued here is to "summer fallow" in June, turning under a good coat of clover; plough about 7 inches deep; harrow thoroughly, and cross-plough just before sowing. We usually sow in the last days of August or first of September, at the

rate of two bushels per acre. The seed should be previously soaked for twelve hours in strong brine, and then coated with unslacked lime. We use the "Soule" wheat, thinking it will yield five bushels per acre more than any other variety known with us. The average product is about 25 bushels per acre. The quantity of land sown, and the average product per acre, are steadily increasing. The average price for the year 1852 has been about 94 cents per bushel. We are not troubled with the "Hessian fly" or "weevil." In seeding down, red clover usually follows wheat. Sow the last of March or first of April, at the rate of ten quarts per acre. And I would here remark, that we invariably have the best success when we sow the seed in the chaff. The covering of the sced seems to afford protection during the late frosts of the spring months. It must be sown early to do well. Sow on the snow if possible, as you can then distribute the seed more evenly. "Guano" is not used with us for anything.

Indian Corn.-This valuable crop, which makes the farmer's fields. look so rich at harvest time, lays such a solid foundation to his pork, contributes so essentially towards furnishing a supply of warm doughnuts, and loads his table with such healthful and delicious puddings, has, we are happy to say, notwithstanding the unpromising attitude of spring, received increased attention, and been full an average crop the past season. When planted on soil that is suitable, and properly cared for, the average yield is about 50 bushels per acre. Cost of production, including interest on land, about 40 cents per bushel, as follows:

In this estimate I have made no account of the manure, (20 loads to the acre.) The stalks are worth, well housed, about as much per acre as a moderate crop of hay to feed cattle, besides adding very materially to the next year's supply of manure for another crop. Our best crops of corn are raised on sward ground, ploughing it but once, and turning the upper side perfectly under; plough as deeply as possible, not less than eight inches; then harrow lengthwise the furrow until a good tilth is produced. Mark three and a half feet each way, and plant about the 10th of May. As soon as the corn is of sufficient size, start the cultivator, and have a boy follow to see that there is none covered. Immediately after, put half a handful of unleached ashes on each hill. In about a week go through with the cultivator again, each way; follow with the hoe, and thin out the stalks to four in each hill. Cultivate and hoe again before tasseling. This will eradicate all weeds, and is all the attention it requires till it becomes glazed, when it should immediately

be cut up and set in shocks of 25 hills each, and bound firmly round the top with stalks. Husk in October. As soon as the stalks become perfectly dry, draw them in and scatter them around as thin as possible in the barn and shed loft. If well secured, they are better than hay for milch cows. The new crop of corn is now selling readily at 75 cents

per bushel.

Oats. The raising of this crop is considered a money-making business at present prices. Average yield about 60 bushels per acre; worth from 40 to 50 cents per bushel. It is probably the most exhausting to the soil of any crop we raise. Sow in April, at the rate of three bushels per acre.

Barley. This crop is raised to a considerable extent on good wheat lands. It leaves the soil in a fine state for wheat. Average yield about 30 bushels per acre, and commands 70 cents per bushel. Rye. But very little sown; it does not pay. to 20 bushels per acre; worth about 60 cents.

Average yield say 15

Peas and Beans.-Peas are considered the least exhausting to the soil of any crop we raise. Sow from three to four bushels per acre; and if the bugs do not injure them, they are a very profitable crop.' Average yield about 20 bushels; worth from $1 to $150 per bushel.

Neat Cattle.-The cost of raising neat cattle till three years old will not vary much from $15. In this estimate I have supposed them to be kept (after the first winter) on coarse fodder, straw, corn-stalks, &c., with hay in the spring. At that age they are worth from $15 to $25. Good dairy cows are worth, in the spring, $30; in the fall, from $16 to $20. I have never ascertained by weight how much beef or pork 100 pounds of corn-meal will produce.

I have thus touched imperfectly on some of the points suggested in your Circular. If they should be of any service to the Commissioner of Patents in making up his Annual Report, I shall be highly gratified.

Respectfully yours,

JOHN HURLBUT.

SIR: Your Circular of August last was put into my hands, and I will briefly reply to a few of the questions contained therein.

Wheat. This crop is mostly grown after oats and barley. The most common practice is to plough, as soon as the crops are harvested, from six to eight inches deep; the latter depth is considered best. Barn-yard manure is applied broadcast, at the rate of from twenty to thirty-two horse-wagon loads per acre; but a great part of our wheat receives no manure, from the fact that much is wasted, and, frequently, large quantities left in the barn-yard-a bad practice, indeed, but true, neverthe less. About the first of September the two horse cultivator, or in some eases the harrow, is started, and, after a good stirring, it is considered Ready for the seed, which is sown about the 10th, followed by the harrow and a few furrows to carry off water from such places as will be likely to be injured in wet weather. This finishes the work; but, in some instances, summer fallowing is still practised, which is commenced

about the middle of June, and consists of two or three ploughings and harrowing. This practice was formerly considered the only sure mode of wheat-growing, and good crops are still grown in this way; but, when the expense and loss of time are taken into consideration, most farmers are of the opinion that sowing after summer crops is most profitable. Another mode of wheat-growing is to turn over a clover-lay in the month of August; work it well with the cultivator, and harrow and sow at the usual time. This has never been extensively practised in this vicinity; and although there have been some good crops, there have also been many failures. The usual quantity of seed is about two bushels per acre. Harvesting commences about the 20th of July, and the yield is from twenty to thirty bushels per acre. The last harvest was about one third less. I have never found any remedy for the weevil or Hessian fly, nor have I in forty-three years seen any diminution in quantity or quality, except what was clearly to be traced to unfavorable seasons. It is a fact that, at this time, the oldest fields produce the best crops. The average price is about one dollar per bushel. It is usual to sow clover and Timothy on wheat, at the rate of ten or twelve pounds of the former, and six or eight of the latter, per acre; this is done in the spring, as soon as the snow is off-most commonly in the month of April.

Corn. We prepare the ground by one ploughing, six or eight inches deep; the cultivator or harrow follows, in order to mellow the surface; but following the same direction with the plough. We mark with a simple instrument, drawn by a horse, which makes three or four marks at a time; the widths are from three feet two inches to three feet nine or ten inches each way (the former I consider best;) and we plant from the 15th to the 25th of May. As soon as the corn is fairly up we start the cultivator, going through once in a row; this completed, we commence across the rows, and follow with hoes, cutting out weeds and thinning the plants, if there should be more than is necessary-four is thought to be about the proper number. The cultivator is continued, and a second, and in a few instances a third, hoeing is done; but little earth is put round the plants. Hilling has become unfashionable, as well as unprofitable; but the cultivator is now the great laborer in the corn-field. It is cut up about the middle of September, and the husking is done as soon as it is fit-generally in October; and the yield is from forty to seventy bushels per acre, at an expense of fifteen to thirty cents per bushel. It has been grown for twelve and a half cents on good land and with good culture. The usual price is about fifty cents per bushel-sixty two and a half at this time. I have no experience in feeding.

Oats and Barley.-These crops usually follow corn. Barley is sown as early as the ground can be fitted, one ploughing being sufficient sometimes, where barley follows wheat. The ploughing is done in October or November; but this is not so much practised as formerly. As soon as the soil is dry enough it is sown, two and a half to three bushels of seed to the acre-the two-rowed is preferred-the ground well harrowed, and sometimes the roller follows. It is cut about the 25th July with a cradle, and sometimes with the naked scythe, and when sufficiently dry it is thrashed with a thrashing-machine. The usual yield is from twenty to forty bushels per acre; price the present season sixty-two and a half cents per bushel. In some seasons it has been lower, and in a few instances higher. Oats are sown as soon after

barley as the ground can be fitted, with two to three bushels of seed per acre; the whole operation being the same as for barley.. They are cut with the cradle, and bound and mostly thrashed by hand in the winter. The yield is from thirty to sixty bushels per acre. The present price is forty-three cents per bushel, which is eight or ten cents above the usual price at this time of year.

Fruit.-There is an increasing attention paid to the cultivation of fruit. Several years ago orchards were cut down, being considered as "cumberers of the ground;" but of late years better counsels have prevailed, and large numbers are planted every year, and will probably continue for many years to come. It is now the opinion of good practical farmers that for feeding, particularly to swine, there is no crop that pays better, according to its cost, being fully equal to potatoes by measure, whilst the expense is not more than three or four cents per bushel. Hogs fatten well on fruit; so do cattle and horses. I feed them raw, and consider them as good as though they were cooked-indeed, from my own experience, I have found but little benefit in cooking food for animals; nature appears to have provided them with the necessary apparatus both for grinding and cooking, and art can add but little to it. I am now feeding horses, cattle, and swine, on raw apples, and they do well on them. The best winter fruit, taking all things into considera. tion, is the Greening, Swan, Russet, and Spitzenberg. These have the preference; but the Northern Spy is now the rage, and, should it succeed as well as present appearances indicate, it will soon be the prince among apples. It is much cultivated, and for beauty, durability, and fine flavor, is not exceeded by any apple with which I am acquainted.

Pears, peaches, cherries, and plums, are also cultivated to a considerable extent; but the latter are attacked with some disease or animal, I know not which, that has prevented the cultivation, and nearly destroyed the whole of the trees, and no remedy has yet been found. Peaches, pears, and cherries, are grown to a considerable extent; but our cold winters render peach-growing a rather doubtful business. The yellows is unknown among us. We transplant in the spring, the latter part of April or first of May.

Manures. We use plaster, which is abundant in our county, and worth at the mills about $1 50 per ton; it is sown in April or May, at the rate of a ton to ten or twelve acres, yearly, on clover and other grasses. I have not found any benefit by using it on grain, although I have tried many experiments; but on clover and other grasses, and a dry soil, the crop is frequently doubled. Nor is there any danger of using large quantities. A bushel to the square rod has been applied with decided advantage, which continued to operate for several years, without any other application. We make, too, large quantities of barnyard manure, which of late years has been used with a little more prudence than formerly, when it was the fashion to compute the expense of moving the barn or the manure, and very frequently the barn was moved, as the lightest job; and this was only done when the cattle were likely to mire in the dung. We have done a little at tobacco-growing, which draws largely on this bank; and it appears to be absolutely neces sary to remove these deposites, or have a light crop; and should we continue this branch of business, we shall be compelled to draw out the manure and let the barn stand.