stubbling in, so-called, or sowing wheat, after barley, oats, or flax, as it has been and is too frequently done, is a mistaken policy in good husbandry. It costs but little, it is true-once ploughing and two or three times harrowing will do; but generally the crop is light, and often an entire failure; and if by chance it should succeed, it is overtasking the soil, and very likely to prove it so in some future crop; besides, its tendency is to propagate foul weeds generally, and especially pigeon weed, that bane of wheat, and source of vexation to all good farmers. As a general system, instead of stubbling in, these crops should be seeded down; and, if double cropping is done, sow wheat after corn, if the land has been, as it should be, manured previous to putting in that crop. Not only wheat, but the yield of other crops, is on the increase, which may and should be continued; the soil mostly calcareous, and loam mould of excellent quality, not easily exhausted, only wants discreet husbandry for a general and continued improvement. The settlement in this county commenced more than sixty years ago, and we have our best yields on land first cultivated, and, with judicious. tillage, and the free use of clover-that best of renovating crops-they give promise to be more productive one hundred years hence than they now are. If the weevil (wheat midge) should continue with us, and destroy or materially injure our wheat crop, the attention of our farmers must of necessity be directed to other branches of agriculture, heretofore comparatively neglected. Whatever it may be, care and diligence will be required to make it profitable; for, although mechanical and chemical science has done much to aid, yet persevering, well directed labor, is themost reliable source of agricultural wealth. Respectfully, yours, JAMES DE MOTT. Hon. THOMAS EWBANK, Commissioner of Patents. CANANDAIGUA, ONTARIO Co., N. Y., SIR: The following remarks are offered in reply to the Circular of the Patent Office of this year: Wheat. The varieties sowed in this vicinity are: Soule's white and red, Soule's white, red chaff bald, white flint, Mediterranean, and bluestem. The Soule's has for several years past been the most valued, being the most productive. But during the last two years, wheat has been more or less extensively affected by what is usually called the weevil, but more correctly known as the wheat midge. This is in appearance somewhat like a flax seed, less narrow, however. It is deposited in the house or hull of the kernel, and frequently absorbs the whole kernel. In an examination during the harvest of this year, I found sometimes as many as three of those insects at the foot of one kernel. In such a case the kernel is mainly absorbed, it being reduced to a mere line in size. Heads. of wheat having the appearance of holding 60 to 100 kernels, had only from 10 to 40. The wheat crop has this year been reduced in some por tions of this county from one-half a crop to less. The wheat crop may be put for the last five years at 20 to 25 bushels per acre. Our county agricultural society have awarded their first and second premiums to crops varying from 40 to 50 bushels per acre. In 1847, first premium crop, 53 bushels; in 1848, 471 bushels; in 1845, 59% bushels. The Mediterranean wheat is deemed a very hardy grain, less exposed to the Hessian fly, and also, it is now thought, less exposed to the wheat midge. It has, therefore, been sown more extensively this autumn than heretofore. Farmers differ very much in the order of crops in rotation. For a few years, corn, barley, wheat, and clover, in the order named, have been tried by some. This is an exhausting series, and the wheat stands a poor chance. Corn, wheat, and clover have been tried. But wheat sown so late in the autumn, (after the corn is cut up and removed,) has this year been greatly injured by the midge. Corn, barley, clover, mowed or pastured one or two years, and then wheat, followed by clover, are now strongly recommended. Indian Corn.-The varieties cultivated are the small eight-rowed yellow, the large eight-rowed yellow, the twelve-rowed yellow, the eightrowed white flint, and the twelve-rowed white flint. Some very intelligent farmers in the eastern part of this county cultivate only the white flint, contending that it is two weeks earlier, and also the most productive. This grain is raised in much larger quantities than it was in this county previous to 1847. Good farmers now raise an average of 100 bushels of cars on an acre-often, 120. The county agricultural society have awarded premiums to crops of from 88 to 90 bushels shelled corn an acre. Many farmers select for this crop old meadows or pastures, put on them all their green manure in April, and plough them in the last part of April and the first week in May, harrow thoroughly, mark it three-and-ahalf feet apart each way, and plant, from the 5th to the 20th of May, about six kernels in a hill. As soon as up so that the rows can be seen, pass through with a one-horse cultivator, dress the hills with one handful of compost, one third plaster of Paris, and two-thirds leached ashes. On loamy, clay soils, I would suggest a compost of one equal part of plaster, ashes, and sand. The element wanting in clayey soils for corn is probably silex; hence sand, such as is suitable for mortar, may, perhaps, in a compost as above, supply the appropriate nutriment to the plant.* From the time Indian corn comes up till the 5th of July, a cultivator, harrow, or shovel plough, may be run twice between cach row as often as the farmer can do it, if once a week. The operation is best and most profitably performed as soon after showers of rain as the soil will allow of working. Average yield of this crop from 40 to 50 bushels of shelled corn to an acre. It has been raised in this county at a cost of six to eight cents per bushel of ears, or eleven to fifteen cents per bushel of shelled corn. The stalks of corn, if they are cut as soon as the kernels are hard and before a frost, are very good fodder for cattle or sheep. In 1850 I tried the following experiment: on the 15th and 16th of September, when [* Sand can do very little, if any, good in a compost. A mixture of three parts of unleached ashes, one of plaster, and one of common salt, is a cheap and valuable fertilizer for corn and potatoes.] the stalks were green, I had seven acres of corn cut up at the roots, and put in shocks of eight hills each, one hill, round which the seven others were set up, not being cut, and all tied together at the top, the butts being spread out as much as possible. The stooks stood a few days, the weather being very clear. The small stooks were then put three or four together, and firmly bound at the top, and allowed to stand till husked in October. These stalks were almost as bright and green as good hay. They were all cut by a cutting machine, (T. D. Burrall's,) moved by the power of one horse, and fed to cattle. My stock consisted of nineteen head of cattle, viz: four oxen, eight cows and heifers, two yearlings, and five calves. The stalks of seven acres of corn were nearly the support of nineteen head of cattle for three months. The cattle were in good condition. Full four-fifths of the entire stalks were consumed. What were left were daily shovelled from the mangers on to their bedding, and thus used as an absorbent for the manure. Barley. The amount of barley raised in western New York is annually increasing. This grain is sown as a crop next after Indian corn, or on sward land newly turned up. The crop varies from 20 to 50 bushels. Premium crops have been as large as 55 bushels. A sandy or gravelly loam is best suited to this grain. Where clay predominates, unless thoroughly underdrained, barley rarely produces more than 25 bushels per acre. Premium crops for five years past from 41 to 55 bushels per acre. Oats.-This crop is sown to a greater or less extent by nearly every farmer in this county. Oats are fed almost entirely to horses and sheep. Average crop, say 40 bushels per acre. Largest or premium crops, 70 to 78 bushels per acre. Peas and Beans.-Peas are sown only in small quantities. This crop is greatly affected by the bug and mildew; and our farmers have generally, of late years, neglected it. Beans are not extensively cultivated, except for domestic use. From 20 to 25 bushels on an acre is reckoned a good crop. Premium crop, 34 bushels. Grasses.-Clover is sown for pasturage and hay; also timothy. Redtop comes in naturally into moist lands in this region. Two tons of cured hay per acre are a good yield. Leached ashes have been found an excellent top-dressing for lands in grass. One bushel of clover seed is sown on five acres; 10 to 12 quarts of timothy on one acre. For pasture, 15 pounds of clover seed to the acre. Plaster is readily obtained in this county at $175 to $2 per ton, or 20 bushels; and a dressing of from 1 to 2 bushels per acre is commonly given to new-sown clover. Hogs. For several years the fattening of hogs, except for the farmer's own use, has not been thought a remunerative business. During this year the centre of this county has been connected by a railway, terminating in the Erie railroad, and thereby opening a direct route to New York city. The price of pork is new nearly $6 per cwt. Many farmers raise pigs, and sell them when seven or eight months old. They readily bring on foot from $4 50 to $6 a head, without much feeding on grain. This is considered more profitable than the usual mode of fattening pork. Breeds. Berkshire, Leicester, and grass. No experiments are conducted with exactness to determine how much grain of any kind will make a pound of pork. Sheep and Wool.-The merino, both Spanish and Paula, the South Down, and a few Leicesters, are kept in this county. Of the former, there are choice flocks, yielding fleeces from about 4 pounds to 5 pounds apiece, and readily, this year, selling at 44 cents a pound. The flocks of South Downs have multiplied largely during the 2 or 3 years past. Their wool brings from 30 to 35 cents a pound; but their fleeces do not exceed 3 pounds each, on an average, in any flock in this vicinity. But their carcass is superior in quality and weight. South Downs, at 18 months, dress at 75 to 80 pounds. Our two railroads-one to Albany and Boston, and the other to New York city-have made well-fattened South Downs readily sell here at $5 a head. Some farmers, who have tried the Leicester sheep, deem them too tender for our storms and winters to be profitable. Still, others are trying them, and some are crossing them with the South Downs. The last experiment I consider of doubtful utility. The South Downs are a very hardy sheep; the lambs grow up handsome and fine in form, at 2 months of age, and are then sought for by the butcher as eagerly as the merino or native at 3 months. Yet for wool, the French or large merino are thought to be far the best, yielding a fleece readily bringing about $2 each year. Roots.-The culture of roots in this county is not extensive. Farmers who come to this country from Scotland and England, after a few years' trial, usually come to the conclusion that Indian corn is raised with less labor, and will make more fat, than the same cost of roots. Carrots are raised by some farmers for milch-cows and horses. First premium crop of carrots, 1,486 bushels per acre; second premium crop, 1,056; third premium crop, 728. Potatoes. Since the disease of this tuber-so world-spread-has prevailed, potatoes have greatly diminished in their average yield. I have raised 300 bushels on an acre; now, 100 bushels is a fair crop. On soils clayey and inclined to moisture, the potato generally rots. On sandy and light loamy soils, the potato is usually sound. For two years past, I have had a sound crop on new land. This year I underdrained a few acres of land, a part of which had never been ploughed, though it had been cleared of timber so long that nearly every stump had decayed. The field was planted to Indian corn. On one side two rows of potatoes were planted. Those grown on the land drained and never before ploughed, were of extraordinary size, weighing from one to two and a half pounds each, and still remain sound. They were what are termed here ox-hearts, a round pink-eye variety. So pleased have I been with this experiment, that I have drained about two acres of similar land for a potato crop next year. In the year 1847, I tried the following experiment: I prepared about sixty rods of land in the following manner: one-half was highly manured with horse and cow manure, which had been piled in a heap the autumn before. The other half was treated in this manner: one-third of the drilis were plentifully filled with leached ashes; one-third with ashes. and lime; and one third with ashes, lime, and manure. The yield was at the rate of 360 bushels to an acre. The potatoes remained sound till about the 20th of September. About half were then dug. There soon followed a warm rain, and hot days, when I discovered that those not dug began to decay. They were immediately dug and placed on a barn floor. Those first dug were placed in a cool cellar. Those in the barn were soon one mass of putrefaction. Those in the cellar soon began to decay, and not five bushels remained fit for the table. Four varieties were planted: Moshannocs, pink-eyes, peach-bloom, and merinos. In June, 1846, I had purchased a load of merinos, and, a portion of the seed end being cut off previous to cooking, they were found to be a most excellent summer potato. The farmer of whom I bought them, and who raised them in a sandy loam, assured me they had decayed the least of any potato in his vicinity, (town of Victor, Ontario county, New York.) The soil of my lot was a clayey loam, inclined to moisture, the clay predominating. Fruit. The cultivation of fruit, especially of apples, is now commanding great attention. The apples of this county, and of western New York, are of excellent quality. Railroads now afford a ready mode of sending apples to market. This autumn, apples have quickly brought, delivered at the railroad depot in Canandaigua, from $1 to $2 per barrel. The amount exported from this county must be very great. It is estimated that from 400,000 to 500,000 bushels are sent from Wayne county. This estimate is founded on Erie canal clearances. This county, it is believed, exports a larger amount. Quinces are raised also, and many barrels sent both east and west$1 75 per barrel. Manures.-Farmers begin to feel that the making, saving, and using of manure is a matter of great importance. Gypsum is found in extensive beds in this county, and is used for clover, corn, and, in light soils, for wheat. Leached ashes are valuable. Lime is used by some farmers. It may be had for 16 to 18 cents a bushel. On stiff clay, lime is thought to have an excellent effect, rendering it loose and friable. Draining.-No improvement in farming promises more than draining. Where the water is abundant and flows over the surface, open drains, or ditches, should be made. Where the land is soft, moist, or springy, under-drains should be dug. These may be filled with stones, if they are to be had on the farm; if not, draining tile may be used. Tile for draining are now manufactured in this county, in West Bloomfield, of good quality, and at reasonable prices. Pipe tile are now esteemed the best. They keep their place better than the horse-shoe form, and the water soon finds its way into them and is freely discharged. Per Thorough draining, as practised in England, (see Colman's European Agriculture,) may be too expensive for imitation in this country. haps it is not necessary to any great extent. But there are very few farms which do not embrace a few acres needing some drains. Swales, places having small springs, swamps, holiows running some distance between high lands-all need underdrains. Often, by uniting these drains, a living stream may be secured, which is, on many farms, an ample remuneration for all the expense of underdraining. The reader will allow the writer to refer to his own experiments: I have a small farm-140 acres. Most of it is rolling land." Yet every field had land, more or less, on which spring crops, and much more winter crops, would drown out. I have had made 200 rods of open drains, and about 650 of underdrains. I have used 5,000 tile, making 375 rods of the underdrains, and the rest is filled with stone. Allowing each rod to draw the water on each side only 16 feet, I have drained 1,700 rods of land, or 10% acres. Of these, 5 acres were never before |