ploughed, by reason of water. They mainly produced wild grass, blue flags, &c. The expense of draining is as follows: Open drains, 16 cents a rod; under drains, 374 cents a rod-amounting to about $276. I paid $50 per acre for my farm; five acres redeemed land, at $60, amounts to $300. I have raised the best wheat, barley, corn, and potatoes on the land thus drained, by at least 25 per cent., compared with the average of the whole field. I estimate that, by expending about $75 more, there will not be a square rod on my farm (excepting a wood lot) which cannot be ploughed and made to produce both winter and summer crops.

Besides, I have now three new watering places during, at least, ten months each year; one of which furnishes a copious supply to two lots of 20 acres each, on which no water was to be found above ground during the whole season of pasturing. And if I wished now to dig a well, to afford water for cattle, I know where, as I have marked several places, where there are springs-permanent springs, I have no doubt-by digging ten feet deep.

I regard the saving and increasing of the supply of manure and draining, connected with deep ploughing and thoroughly working of the soil, and a proper rotation of crops, as the sure means of good, successful, and remunerating farming.

Yours, most respectfully,

THOMAS EWBANK, Esq.,

Commissioner of Patents.

HENRY HOWE.

SPRING WATER, WESTHILL,

January 18, 1852.

SIR: Having received the Patent Office Report, and feeling an interest in its general usefulness, I take the liberty to address a few lines to you, although not having been requested to do so; and first permit me to suggest some additional questions to your numerous correspondents:

First. A description of the soil and timber in each locality, as nigh as may be. Second. The price of land, means of transportation-whether navigable streams, railroad, or canal-and the distance of the correspondent from the same, and the town he lives in. This will enable those wishing to change their location to form some opinion of the merits of the different sections. Having suggested the above, I will proceed to give some general information.

The surface of the soil in this region is very broken and hilly, affording numerous mill sites, which are generally occupied with saw-mills, grist-mills, furnaces, and all necessary machinery for the convenience of the farmer. The soil on the ridges is what I should call a sandy loam, rather destitute of vegetable matter, but producing clover and other grasses in moderate quantities where plaster is used. The lumber is different kinds of oak, chestnut, and, in places, considerable pine, which is getting mostly used up; and in the low grounds, or feet of the ridges, and along streams, beach, maple, basswood, and some red-oak, which last is generally converted into staves. These are the principal kinds of timber, although others are occasionally found. This part of Livingston

county is rather newly settled and cleared; consequently, any regular system of farming is not generally adopted. Some tolerable crops of winter wheat-I think mostly Soule's-are raised on summer fallow, which is generally ploughed twice, and sometimes three times. Product per acre, from 10 to 25 bushels; average, about 15. Grass yields from 1 to 2 tons; average, about 1 ton. Most farmers have a small patch of corn, which, with good care, and what manure can be spared, usually produces a tolerable crop-say 20 bushels per acre. The small yellow corn, that which ripens early, is preferred. Plant from 15th of May to 1st of June; usually ripens the last of September. Oats are generally sown, and do well, on reclaimed swamp-lands, often yielding 40 and 50 bushels to the acre; amount sowed to the acre from 1 to 3 bushels. The ridge-lands in this vicinity are not calculated to produce good crops of oats unless highly manured. Barley is beginning to excite some attention, and does well on good oat-lands. Each farmer raises all the horned cattle he can keep in tolerable condition, which can only be made to pay for their cost by consuming the straw and coarse products of the farm. Hay is usually worth about $6, but sometimes sells as high as $10 per ton. Three-year-old steers sell from $20 to $30 each, according to quality. Cows, in the fall, to keep over winter, are worth from $12 to $15; and in the spring, with a calf, from $18 to $25. Cattle in this vicinity are of various pedigree-few that can be traced to superior stock. Horses are very high, ranging from $75 to $125. Sheep I consider the most profitable stock, leaving out horses, that farmers in this vicinity can raise. In the first place, I consider them the best stock to improve land that farmers keep. The Paula merino I think the most approved breed for our latitude. They are hardy, yield a heavy fleece, and, with proper care, will raise good thrifty lambs; and, with wool at 40 cents per pound, it will pay all expenses and interest on the money invested, leaving the lambs clear profit. Flocks in this vicinity average about 3 pounds to the head; some yield considerably higher. A flock of ewes well cared for will raise ninety lambs to one hundred ewes. Potatoes have, in many places, proved a total failure; while some have succeeded in raising a tolerably good crop. The pale reds-some call them Sardinia reds, others Lake Erie reds-I consider least liable to rot; while pink-eyes and flesh-colored, or peach-blow, are pretty sure to rot.. It is of little use for me to speculate upon the probable cause of the rot. So far as my observation extends, plant upon dry, sandy soil without manure, which will produce medium-sized potatoes, less liable to rot than those having rapid growth. The much-mooted question about seed-potatoes is about as difficult to settle as the cause of the rot. I have raised good potatoes from large and small potatoes, and even from potato-peelings. I think there is more in the ground, season, and manner they are tended, than in the size of the seed. If I planted large potatoes, I should cut them and scatter them about in the hill. Our market is mostly at Dansville, eight miles distant, although we have several mills nearer, which buy more or less grain. The Buffalo and Cohocton Valley railroad runs over the highlands in this vicinity;. it is now being built, and, when finished, will give us a direct market to New York city.

Under the head of fruit, I would say that not much at present is raised, although some interest is felt in this branch. I have had con-

siderable trouble with the apple borer-a grub about an inch long, white body and black head. I know of no way of exterminating them but to open the bark where you see they are working, with the point of your knife, and cut them out. Month hands get from $12 to $15 per month for six months on a farm; day-laborers get, for haying, $1, and for harvesting, from 10 to 12 shillings per day. Land sells-just about where I live, or rather, I should say, the owners ask-for from $20 to $40 per acre, according to situation, buildings, &c. I do not know that I ought to trouble you further.

Hon. THOMAS EWBANK,

Yours, respectfully,

Commissioner of Patents.

C. GARDNER.

PRATTSBURG, STEUBEN Co., NEW YORK.

SIR: Your Circular of August, 1851, is received. The inquiries embrace many topics of interest, and are calculated to elicit much valuable information.

In this county the clearing up of lands, and lumbering, have heretofore trenched greatly upon the tillage of the soil; and the culture of cereal crops was greatly neglected. But, as the timber disappears, agricultural pursuits receive increased attention; and, for the last ten years, wheat, oats, and barley have been successfully cultivated.

Wheat. In the culture of wheat, guano is not used in this vicinity; nor, indeed, are any fertilizers applied to the crop, except gypsum and lime. Our lands are mostly new, and, as yet, unexhausted. With proper tillage, they may, for a series of years, yield fair crops.

Our farmers do not study the difference in soil, or any of its defects, for the production of crops. This will occupy their attention after the soil has been exhausted of its original fertility by improvident culture. Not until then will the science of soils and manures open a resource for successful tillage and improved crops.

The ploughing in this vicinity is generally hastily and carelessly performed. And the average yield of wheat is, consequently, not more than from 10 to 16 bushels per acre. I prepared a lot, that had not been much tilled for years, by ploughing it 12 inches deep, and crossing it twice; upon which I sowed, the last week in August, two and three fourths. bushels of Soule's wheat per acre. The seed was rolled in plaster when. sowed. It ripened, and was cut the third week in July, and produced 34 bushels per acre. A small lot of white flint wheat rather exceeded that in its yield. The time for sowing wheat is from the 25th of August to the 10th of September. In clay soils it should be sown in August; in warmer soil in September. The agriculturist should study the temperature of his soil and location, and sow his grain earlier or later, as the premises may warrant. The price for wheat has been from 75 to 81

cents.

Oats.-The crop of oats has been unusually productive in this vicinity. Yield, from 35 to 55 bushels per acre. From 10 acres I have harvested 538 bushels; price 25 cents.

The culture of fruit is receiving increased attention. Many old orchards are being improved by grafting, and others are produced by planting improved varieties of fruit. In this particular section of the county, we have in bearing every leading variety of the apple suited to our climate. Several new and valuable varieties have been added to the list; among them are the northern spy, the Hawley, the early Joe, the waggoner, the Belmont, or gate. The best varieties for winter use and for exportation, are the greening, the russet, the waggoner, and the northern spy. I have known the russet to keep until October. With proper culture, the apple may be made as profitable as any other product of the farm.

'The peach is scarcely cultivated in this town, because it was taken for granted that it could not be produced in perfection. Some two or three of our citizens, by a liberal and careful culture, have succeeded in raising fine and abundant crops, and others are gradually imitating their example. By the application of charcoal and ashes to the roots of the peach tree, and by keeping the ground well tilled, luscious fruit may be raised for a succession of years. But no one ought to expect to raise the peach, nor indeed any other fruit, unless he keeps the soil enriched and thoroughly cultivated.

The idea of a stiff sod and a hard substratum is as consonant with the raising of fruit as with the production of a cereal or root crop.

Forest Culture.-Of the culture of other than fruit trees, all that is practised, as yet, is to cut down and destroy. This is incident to all new countries. Not until a total waste of foliage is produced does the culture of trees receive even an incidental attention. At first, a single tree is planted before the cottage door, for shade, and then, perhaps, another, for uniformity. Beyond this but a few extend their culture of trees, or even dream of their utility.

This is a subject well worth the study and attention of our citizens; it is so strictly connected with the pleasures of home as to comprise an important source of domestic happiness. Trees, in all their varieties and stages of growth, are as important to our home, to render it pleasant and agreeable, as any other fixture. The shaded and ornamented grounds speak as eloquently of pleasure as does the cheerful fireside or the laughing countenance of its inmates.

The attention of some of our citizens have lately been directed to this subject, and they have entered upon its practice. We have noticed its inception in the ornamented shrubbery and trees around some dwellings-a few at first, and planted without much taste or design. But this constitutes the beginning, and will induce repetition. A gradual awakened and cultivated taste will result.

From the dwelling to the lawn, and the highway, groups will appear, from year to year, until the culture of trees shall be deemed as important as any other branch of labor.

As this subject is intimately connected with rural taste and rural enjoyment, it is destined to be cultivated, for the time, by those of our citizens only in whom education and associations have awakened refined feelings, and a sense of the beautiful. So long as it remains a mere amateur

occupation, it will be confined to this class; but as our country becomes older, it will become profitable, and then the planting and culture of trees will receive general attention, and the subject be ranked among the useful employments of our citizens.

We feel the want of an agricultural school in our State, in which the sciences intimately connected with farming and rural occupations may be taught. As it is, we merely glean the periodicals of the day, and attain such information as enlightened and educated agriculturists around us can impart.

Respectfully, yours,

To the COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS.

G. DENNISTON.

BIG FLATTS, CHEMUNG COUNTY, N. Y.

September 24, 1851.

SIR: I received a Circular from you, requesting such information as I might be in possession of in relation to the agricultural interests of this county. With this I will cheerfully comply, believing that the information gathered by such means as you have adopted will be of vast advantage to the agricultural interests of the United States. Although I may be able to contribute but very little to the great object, I will give you the results of my experience in the cultivation of the soil. In the first place, the land I cultivate is an alluvial soil, or a sandy loam, of a very good formation for all the agricultural purposes incident to the climate.

Wheat.-My best success has been in a rotation of crops, in the following manner: First, the land should be seeded with clover of the middling quality. This, after pasturing one year, (the clover should be well sowed with plaster,) should be turned under with three horses, so as to plough it about ten inches deep; then plant with corn; next sow with barley; finally plough the barley stubble, and sow with wheat, which yields, on an average, about 30 bushels per acre-in some instances as high as 40 bushels per acre. I consider this the best system.

On my soil, (stiff clay,) the fallow system would be better, in order to pulverize the soil.

As to corn, proceed as stated before, until planting; I then plant the berry, yellow, in drills three feet apart; I then drop plaster and ashes, equally mixed, in the proportion of about 2 bushels to the acre, which makes a small handful in each hill; then drop the corn on the ashes and mixture, and cover the same with about 2 inches of earth; then plough well, hoe twice, and plaster again, when up, with plaster alone. With this process I have prevented the worms, and have increased the product 30 per cent. The best method to feed corn, undoubtedly, is to grind and cook it. Animals are then able to extract all the nutritious matter from it. Corn stubble makes the best preparation for lands designed for oats. I have raised 80 bushels to the acre; but oats impoverish the lands too much; consequently I do not raise them to any extent.