VARIETIES.

The Red Chaff and Black Sea.-The red chaff is hardy in resisting the rust, and is considered richer in gluten than most other varieties. Corn.-The most important crop by far; guano not used. The usual crop, about 40 bushels per acre. The cost of cultivation may be set down as follows:

Cost per bushel, 44 cents, reckoning the fodder as a part of the corn. The manure ought not all to be charged to the corn, as it generally suffices for two or more crops. This may perhaps be considered a fair statement of the crop here;, but although the average may not be higher than forty bushels, fifty, seventy-five, or even one hundred, may be, and are often, raised by good cultivation.

Farms that have been long cultivated are being exhausted of many mineral manures, such as phosphates, alkalies, &c., essential to a fertile soil. These manures will have to be supplied, or else a sterile soil will be the result. It is well known to men of science that they can be measurably supplied from the soil itself by deeper tillage with the subsoil plough. On reading the account of it in the Agricultural Journal, I was induced to make trial of it, and, from what experience of it I have had, I no more would think of dispensing with its use than I would with the surface plough.

The course of rotation to this crop is, to break up the green-sward, after spreading the manure in a green state; plant with corn the first year; the next, wheat, with clover and herdsgrass; to remain in grass for several years.

The method of feeding to hogs generally preferred by the most experienced is, to grind the corn and cobs together and give them in a raw Some have tried them cooked, but it is thought nothing is gained above feeding raw.

state.

The utility of grinding the cobs with the corn is two-fold; the cob acts mechanically by dividing the food, and thereby promoting digestion; and at the same time the cob-it is said by those who have made the analysis of it-contains from one-eighth to one-third of the nutriment contained in the corn itself.

Beans. This crop might be raised to almost any extent, and is not thought to be an exhausting one. But the price paid per bushel is not thought by farmers to be remunerative, compared with other crops.

Market: Portland, thirty miles; price $1 25 to $1 75.

Clover and Grasses.-Clover is universally raised after wheat for fodder and as a fertilizer; its long roots bring up materials to the surface that would not be available with other crops. There is no truer saying than the common one, that "clover sweetens the land." Herdsgrass and red-top are generally sown with clover.

It is thought the hay makes much better fodder by being mixed. Quantity per acre, from one to three tons.

Dairy. This department of agriculture, I regret to say, receives but a small part of the attention it so well deserves.

This region is admirably adapted to grazing; the lands hilly, abounding with clear springs, affording the purest water for stock; the natural grasses of the best quality for making butter and cheese. Notwithstanding these advantages, there is but little of the butter and cheese manufactured that might be-and that of an inferior quality. The goodness of butter depends upon-first, the food for the cows; and, second, the manufacture. The best of all food is sweet upland grass; the next, corn fodder, either green or well cured. The amount of butter may be much increased by feeding with roots of various kinds, provender, &c.; but it is quite doubtful if the quality remains unimpaired. Slops of all kinds should be eschewed by all who wish good butter.

In the making of butter, great attention should be paid to cleanliness while milking, and also in the dairy. Nothing should be suffered to be present that will produce impurity in the air.

Cream is remarkable for absorbing odors. We usually set our milk from twenty-four to forty-eight hours, according as the weather is favorable or otherwise. The churn is a revolving box. The butter is longer coming in this churn than with most others, but it is believed the quality is better and the quantity greater from a churning of one and a half hour than from a less time. After churning, from one-half to threefourths of an ounce of salt to the pound of butter is mixed with it, when it is set away for twelve hours. It is then worked over, and the salt well incorporated with the butter, and the buttermilk well worked out by means of a lever placed upon an inclined table. The hands are never allowed to come in contact with the butter. The perspiration from the hands, although it may not be sensible, greatly impairs the purity and flavor of the butter. The butter is next pressed by lever power in moulds containing about one pound, if it is intended for market immediately; if not, it is pressed into clean oak firkins, holding from 50 to 100 pounds, and covered so as to completely exclude the air, where it will keep for any length of time.

The yearly average per cow may be set down at 100 pounds of butter and 200 pounds of cheese.

The price of butter in Portland, or the nearest market, has been for several years past about one shilling per pound; cheese from 6 to 7 cents. These prices, of course, are not what might be and are obtained for superior articles; but, as I said before, few are willing to give that attention to the subject which is necessary to insure the skill and intelligence it demands.

Neat Cattle. The usual price of three year-old steers is $20; heifers, $15; average price of good dairy cows, $30 in the spring, $20 in the fall.

The method of breaking steers to the yoke is, to put them before a good yoke of oxen in the team; by this means they soon become teachable.

Horses and Mules.-The breeding of horses is considerably attended to, and is thought to be profitable. The price varies from $75 to $200. The manner of breaking young horses varies with the tact or whim of the owner. There seems to be but one principle, however, among those who understand the matter-and that never fails to succeed-which is, to begin early, to use gentle means, and to follow up this course till the animal is broken.

Potatoes.-The average of this crop I should think to be 175 bushels per acre. The most prolific variety, the "pink-eye," since the rot made its appearance, are generally planted without manure. Although manure is not the first cause of the rot, it is thought to be among the predisposing causes. They are planted on green-sward, cultivated, and hoed once.

Fruit Culture. In answering your query," whether the culture of fruit is receiving increased attention," I regret that I cannot answer it in the affirmative. The soil and climate are excellent for raising apples; especially winter fruit. With regard to the second query, there is but one opinion among those who understand anything about the matter, and that is, that nothing which pertains to the farm pays so well as orcharding. A neighbor of mine, who has a fine orchard, has often said to me he wished that his whole farm was planted with apple trees. And his farm is among the best for raising fine cattle and horses, and for dairy purposes. As to the comparative value of apples and potatoes, I can speak with confidence after an experience of some 15 or 20 years. I was among the first in this place to use apples for feeding hogs. My neighbors all said they were worthless, but I had faith enough to follow up the experiment, and the result was always to find my hogs in a better state in the spring, when fed on apples alone, than when fed on corn or potatoes alone. The apples generally fed to hogs are the sweetest, and most worthless for anything else. Such apples I would not say are equal, bushel for bushel, to potatoes; but if the apples are of good quality for eating, (say part sweet and part sour,) I have no hesitation in saying they would be fully equal to potatoes. The varieties best liked for winter use are the Baldwin and Rhode Island greening.

The Roxbury russet also is kept for winter, or rather summer, as they are not in use till May or June. The only practical mode of grafting here is crown-grafting. Budding is preferred by nurserymen generally. Manure.-Plaster is universally used as a fertilizer. It is generally ap plied to the corn and potato crops in the hill, at the rate of 1 bushel to the acre. I have applied it broadcast upon green-sward, before ploughing, with equally good success. Wood ashes are sometimes combined

with it, and sometimes applied alone; both are valuable. Ashes contain potash, lime, and soda. Their use depends upon these alkalies, which render them a very efficient manure.

Meteorology. I regret that this part of my communication is necessarily meagre. I am making arrangements, however, for a series of thermometrical observations, which shall be worthy a place in your valuable Report. Our hottest weather is in July and August; our coldest in January. The highest average of the thermometer, 96°; the lowest 200 below cipher of Farenheit.

I have replied to questions upon such subjects only as were sufficiently familiar to warrant me in giving answers that may be considered reliable. Wishing you entire success in your useful labors, 1 remain, most respectfully, yours, G. W. GUPTILL.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS.

SOUTH FREEDOM, WALDO COUNTY, MAINE,

December 28, 1851.

SIR: I take the liberty to write a few lines on the subject of agricul ture in this vicinity.

Our soil varies, for the reason that the face of our country lies in large ridges; and hardly any two are composed of the same mineral substance. The change in farming in our county seems like emigrating into another country.

It is about fifty years since this county was first settled.

The course pursued was: in the month of June to chop down large patches of forest trees, and either in the spring or fall set fire to the brush, and obtain a rapid burn, if possible. If the timber could be cleared off, the ground could be planted with corn or sowed. If not cleared, it was always planted, nevertheless. Lumbering was also a smart business. The most of this is done away with. Ploughing is the principal way of farming, and people are beginning to wake up to the best methods to procure muck, (a manure found in low places,) made of vegetable matter. It is attracting much attention, and will eventually be the strong arm of farming.

Our very cold seasons produce good wheat; hot seasons, corn. Spring wheat heretofore has been mostly sown; red sea is the kind mostly in use. Time of seeding, 10th of May. Crop this year very good. Price at this time $1 per bushel.

Winter wheat is attracting much attention, and will in all probability take the lead. The eight-rowed yellow corn is generally grown. Time of seeding, 20th May. Crop very poor this year, in consequence of early frost. Beans and oats are generally a certain crop. They are in good demand at this time. Price, $1 33 for beans; 35 cents for oats.

Hay Culture is a good business; clover and timothy mostly raised. The 15th of July is about the commencement of haying. Price on an average $8 per ton.

Stock is also quite a trade. There are from 500 to 1,000 head collected in this town yearly, (a portion of them from adjoining towns,) and

driven west. They find a market in Portland, the large towns in New Hampshire, and Brighton.

The raising of eggs has become a profitable business, and pays the best of anything that our farmers pursue for the cost. Average price 12 cents per dozen. It was estimated that the amount sold in the year 1849 from the State brought $600,000.

Potatoes, in years past, have been the great staple of Maine up to 1845, which was the first failure; it was a certain crop.

Pork and beef were made in great abundance, and potatoes were fed to cattle, in stalls, in the room of provender; 25 cents per bushel was an average price. Since 1845 the crops have been almost a complete failure, and many farmers abandoned the business. What were planted this year, and raised, are better, and rot less, than either of the five years past. Apples are the only fruit cultivated to any extent. Winter fruit is the most in use, and is obtained by grafting. Thirty years ago apples were a rare article. By the industry of our farmers, there are, yearly, lots shipped to the West Indies and other places.

The tame cherry is about all the cherry that is cultivated with us. About ten years ago there appeared a barnacle upon the limbs of the trees, which has since that time completely annihilated all the trees, and there is not one to be seen in the country.

SIR: The postmaster in the village handed me an Agricultural Circular a few days since, and wished me to answer it. Thinking it possible I might give some information, I send you the following:

Wheat. There has been but very little done for some years past in raising wheat; but for the last two years we are doing considerable with winter wheat, especially this last year. It is mostly raised on old pasture land and corn ground; average yield twenty-five bushelsgreatest yield one hundred and seventy-five bushels on five acres. Spring wheat mostly sown late-about the first of June; average yield fifteen bushels; average price for 1851 is $1 33.

Corn. There is a good deal raised upon the bottom lands. Cost of production from 25 to 40 cents per bushel. Average crop 50 bushels. Guano is not used to any amount, in this vicinity, with this crop. The corn is mostly ground, and fed to our teams-oxen and horses; sometimes cob and all, but mostly threshed.

Oats, Rye, Beans, and Peas.-Average yield of oats, 40 bushels; rye, 15; beans, 15; oats, the least exhausting; peas are not used as a renovating crop.

Clover and Timothy.-Average yield per acre, one and a half ton. Clover is considered the best fertilizer; and timothy and clover for laying