sent to our eldest boy, a hundred pound note under similar circumstances, on his arriving at his majority, than to have it in our power on our demise to leave him thousands unaccompanied by a deed so savory so hallowed by its purity, and so dignified by all that is lovely in the sight of God or man. case, let us notice something in regard to one Cobbett, who was, if report says true, a great cultivator of ruta baga or Swedish turnips. It is said he raised 50,000 bushels or more of this root. An inquisitive Yankee would naturally ask the question, what did he do with them? Of course stock of some kind or other must consume them: beef is very much relished in England and this country too From the Maine Farmer. -butter and cheese are also articles of CULTURE OF ROOTS-SILK, &c. comfort, and are convenient articles of the Mr. Holmes-I will now resume the table. The profit ioving Dutch generalsubject of root crops. Although the sea-ly manage business economically, and in son is unfavorable yet my ruta baga, and a manner calculated to acquire the greatparticularly my potatoes look very promis-est amount of money from a given quaning. Much might be said to prove that tity of land with as little labor as possisome respectable farmers of our county,ble; of course inventions, introductions (Oxford) are beginning to awaken; and the of arts are beneficial to at least civilized probability is, that our State will in a short communities. We can return a little time rival the mother country in this most light for light to our British brethren, let profitable branch of agriculture. Much us then be thankful to that Being of behas been written in regard to Silk culture, ings whose providence has heretofore so and I doubt not if these statements are cor-signally favored our common country; let rect, it must be a profitable branch of hus-us then indeed be not only, united in the bandry; but nevertheless I will give it as excellent cause of agriculture, but use a my opinion that root husbandry will give litte energy in patting right those Southemployment to the greatest number of la-ern patriots who stand in the way of the borers. It has been said that one acre of best interests of society. It is said that land in Silk will yield, if the soil is suitable roots given to beef cattle do not yield for the growth of the mulberry, three hun- quite half the profits as when given to dred dollars. I am perfectly willing that milk cows, of coarse female labor will be ladies and gentlemen too, should be clothed highly necessary, not only m the man. in Silk, but after home consumption is overagement of daries, silken manufactories, supplied, what shall we do with the surplus ? &c., but various other concerns, and last I have heretofore mentioned the subject of not least, I think farmers' daughters His Britannic Majesty's Provinces being should be well educated, or at least should contiguous to our State; this is indeed for spend a few hours every day studying or tunate to both countries, for commerce is reading, which will doubtless promote the the handmaid of agriculture, and a beauti-public interest. Agriculture as a science ful damsel she is too, if you will permit me being made honorable and the young to write metaphorically a little. In regard misses in their teens not wholly neglect to manufactures—if there are but three pro-ing or despising it, we may fairly suppose. ductive employments, this branch of indus- that being supported by such powerful try must be of immense importance in every pleaders, we may calculate on the future civilized country at least. prospects of agriculture in our State with I will demonstrate, that if our farmers pleasure. Accordingly those gentlemen, employ all their capital in cultivating silk, manufacturers, as I shall term them, who it must be that they pay little regard to poti-those who use them either industriously furnish ingenious machines for farmers and tical economists. Mankind are so consti tuted that they must have food or perish, let The de them be clothed ever so well. nother. Accordingly we find in all enlightened communities a vast variety of laborers calculated to enhance their own individ. ual prosperity, and of course the public stock, especially his improved Durham cattle. The Major has some fifty or sixty superior animals, from half to full blood. Those which are not full blood improved short horn, are generally crosses upon the Patton stock, varying, as said before, from one half, upwards. The animals I most admired was the bull Proclamation, a noble animal of pure blood, fine form, and weighing about 2000 pounds; old Hyacinth, a fine full blood cow, formerly belonging to Mr. Gerrard, deceased; and a two year old heifer, which sold at Gerrard's sale for $595. This is a very beautiful animal, and among other excellencies, has in my opinion, the most perfect hind quarter I have ever seen to a female quadruped of the cow kind. Much as I was pleased with the view of this fine stock, I was a little disappointed on finding Major Clarkson's late purchases of stock, about twelve in nnmber, at the sale of Mr. Powell, of Philadelphia and elsewhere, had not arrived. Among that stock is a bull of two years old, which cost $700. I suppose Major Clarkson's stock, with these additions, will be equal to any in the United States. He will soon be able to furnish the enterprising stock growers of the west, with first rate animals, with which to commence an improvement of their stock. I much hope the example of Ohio on this subject, will be followed and emulated by the farmers of Indiana. The country is waking up to the importance of improved breeds of stock of every kind. Farmers find but a trifle of difference, after the first outlay of procuring the better breed, between raising a horse that will command $150, and one that will sell for $30. They find it as easy to grow an ox worth $50 as $15-a calf that will sell at weaning for 50 to 100 dollars, as one that will only command two or three dollars. But I must close this epistle. I go from here to the Shaker village, where you may expect to hear from me again. Yours &c. From the New England Farmer. FARMERS' AND GARDENERS' work, H. or skilfully, together with logical and other literary gentlemen who directly or imdirectly afford aid to that branch of inof national prosperity, and one of the su-Lime is an antidote to contagon, a predustry, which I declare to be the foundation On the use of lime for preserving health. the high considerations of the public. of purifying sinks, vaults, &c., is one of the rest bulwarks of liberty, are entitled to servative against infection, and as a means With regard to manure, our farmers are most useful substances. By making probeginning to think a little on the subject; per applications of this cheap, but powerful weal. But I will notice still further but alas! does enterprise sleep? are the the subject of roots. minds of farmers clouded, or are they cleanliness and ventilation, the air in jail, agent, together with a due attention to It is said this branch of farming is the great boast of blind to their best interests? The Maine hospitals, ships, &c., may be rendered comBritish Agriculture-yes, even in Ireland Farmer is not a political journal indeed, paratively sweet and salubrious. A quan but then we must conclude that agricul- tity of lime while hot and quick scattered ture is the foundation of our national every day or two, into the vaults of back A YOUNG FARMER OF RUMFORD. From the Indiana Farmer. they are skilful in root husbandry, and in Cincinnati, June 23, 1836. IMPROVED STOCK. I houses, and other repositories of offensive matter is indispensable as well to health as to cleanliness. We should think it a very serious matter if we were forced to eat tainted provisions and drink filthy water; and yet many people appear to be very well satisfied, when, at every breath, they take a substance into their lungs, which is not only nauseous but poisonous. This inconvenience, however, scattered all over the yard, and in case one There have already been a number of ing, amply qualifies them to impart to others wishes to correct his cow, he finds every excellent articles on sheep given to the the information so much desired, and which thing in readiness. I have before now seen public in the Farmer; but they relate prin- would at once settle those questions which loads of such rubbish collected around farm-cipally to the best mode of treatment, dis- now perplex so many farmers. If such yards, and truly it does not present a very eases, &c., and do not enter fully into the men would now and then devote an hour neat looking appearance. Those farmers, points suggested above, and on which at to the recording of facts connected with therefore, who cannot well take the manage- the present time information is particularly their experience in farming, and particuof these affairs to themselves, if they wish desired. Some few writers have inciden- larly to the queries mentioned above resto have their cows thrive, keep in good or- tally touched them, and to show what the pecting sheep, and give them to the public der, and gently treated, are advised to keep opinion of some practical men has been, through the medium of the Farmer, we are their yards clear of all these weapons, so as we give here an extract or two from some confident they would receive the thanks of to remove even the temptation to evil. And communications. Mr. Z. Barton Stout the farming community, and from no indinothing will give a stranger a better opinion says "In proportion to my ewes I have vidual would these be more sincerely renof a farmer as he passes by, than to see not succeeded in rearing an equal number dered than by a YOUNG FARMER.. every thing look neat and clean around his of lambs for several years past, as I did dwelling and barns. From this circum- before the intermingling of the Saxon stance he will draw the inference, that it is sheep." "It is well known that some large so all over his farm, and he will always call flocks along the Genesee river, have, for some years past, deteriorated rapidly; and -e, July 16, 1836. it is not unworthy of inquiry, how far the cause assigned, (the introduction of Saxon blood,) may have occasioned this deterioration." Mr. Jarvis, of Vermont, whose opinion may be relied on in this matter, he having been for a great number of years extensively engaged in sheep and wool that man a neat farmer. H From the Genesee Farmer. BY A YOUNG FARMER. Ever since the introduction of the Saxon ed from Merino bucks. I did not raise From the Genesee Farmer. BY J. B. B. How many lamentable as well as laughable scenes I have witnessed in the cow yard, when good management would have produced a flowing pail of milk, quietly and peacably drawn from the cow, with ease and thankful. There are different ways to do the same thing, yet but one way that is and comfort to her, and the milker satisfied Merino into the country, there has existed growing, says, in an articles in Niles' Reg-right, and that is the best way. For ined sheep, "I put eight of these bucks to ed teats, from which when milked the blood ister, speaking of some pure Saxon importstance, you have a cow with sore or crackthree hundred Merino ewes, and the pro- will ooze out between the fingers. This geny was more feeble than I ever witness-must necessarily be very painful to the cow; but never mind that—she must stand or take a drubbing. Heedless that a cure might be effected in a very short time, with very little trouble, the cracked teats are left to get well as they may. Now, "Old Kick" is a very high strung cow, and full of mettle, and will not stand such treatment. more a considerable difference of opinion among She kicks and runs occasionally, and occasionally gets a flogging to pay for it. However, she continues to kick, because she is hurt, when milked, until the habit of kickwards. The milker commences milking her, and then look out for trouble afterher, she chews her cud, looks good natur As wool growing is becoming an impor-lambs to five ewes, and my Merino bucks ing becomes a kind of second nature to tant and profitable branch of American had always been selected for fineness and industry, it is very desirable that the points in crotroversy between the two breeds of weight of fleece, and shape, from my own stock." As a reason for this difficulty of sheep should be early and correctly settled, that those who are entering upon the busi-rearing, Mr. Jarvis says "The form of ed, and every thing appears as though it ness may have certain data to go upon, culturist of the true cause. They are long Kick," not liking some movement, introdu the sheep will satisfy an experienced agri-But the scene soon changes, for "Old was to be done decently and in order.and not encounter the losses usually attendant on undigested speculations. The egged, thin quartered, flat sided, narrow points of difference which should be settled, boned, not sufficiently deep chested, and and on which we as farmers require infor-leng necked. mation, may be included in the following queries, viz: Does the Spanish Merino on the average clip a greater amount of wool than the Saxony; and if so how much? Does the Saxon wool on an average com mand a higher price than the Spanish; and if so, how much? Is the number of sheep lost the average number we mean-greater in a year in one hundred Saxons, than in one hundred Merinos? Is the number of lambs raised from one hundred Merino ewes greater on the average than from the same number of Saxon ewes ?--and if so. what is the rate of difference? Does the Spanish Merino usually weigh more thar the Saxon, and for slaughtering command a greater price?—and if so, what will be the average difference between the weight and value of one hundred of each kind? In al these queries and estimates, it will of course be understood that full blooded animals of each kind are intended. All domestic animals o this shape have feeble constitutions." The ces her hoof against the side of the pail, (if not into it,) and turns it topsy-turvey, the 66 Old Kick" now expects a flogging, so off she pail rattling and the milk flying. starts full sail. The provoked and angry milker pursues her with the first club of chase; Round the yard they go at full stool he can get hold of, and now for a speed, (which frequently starts the other until "Old Kick is overtaken, and then cows, and over goes another pail of milk,) the club or stool is set in motion upon her sides, the sound of which is not unlike the sound of the thresher's flail, which makes the woods resound with its echo. "Old Kick" is now cornered up, and has to take Perhaps the experience of the writer of it, (showing her good will by kicking now this is too limited to justify the expression and then, and shaking her head,) till the f an opinion; yet so far as it extends, it milker considers her thoroughly subdued, vould seem to establish the principles laid and then commences again to milk. Ten lown in the above extracts from Messrs. chances to one if he has not to go through stout and Jarvis. There can be no doubt with another performance like the one just hat among the subscribers to the Farmer, mentioned, before "Old Kick" is set at libhere are a multitude of practical men, whose eity until the time for another milking. Now, xperience in sheep raising and wool grow-the right way would have prevented all this trouble, and “Old Kick" would have re-consideration, full as much as the butter or||5 inches long, 24 inches, wide and half an mained as she used to be, not the worst of cheese made from the milk would be worth. inch thick, this is heated and drawu to the cows. The first step would have been to The better way I think would be, if neces-length of 15 inches, or thereabouts; it is have cured her teats, which is very readily ||sary, to buy a cow furnished with better then bent over and doubled and a bar of done by washing them with cold water, teats, (even upon credit,) and let the calf steel, weighing half a pound and of the and then applying a little linseed oil, for a run with the former until old enough to same length as the doubled bar, is insertfew milkings, (an effectual cure.) wean, and then fit her for market. ed at one side. The whole is then welded Once more, and I conclude. As it is a and drawn to the length required. The very easy thing to spoil young cows, even second operation is that of drawing the bar by a few milkings at first, by bad manage-to a point. The third consists in plating it ment, due care should be taken, and the best to the required width. The 4th in crooking method pursued. We have found it the the point ready for the forming or swedging most advisable in breaking heifers, to make machine. 5th, in turning the back and a small yard and drive them into it, when swedging the web. 6th, in turning the milked, for a short time at first. If they heel. '7th, in tempering and straightening. show any disposition to be obstinate or 9th, in grinding. 10th, in adjusting the sulky, the better way is to coax them and edge and inspecting, which is usually done treat them gently; they will soon yield, by the master workman. 11th, in varnishand you will gain their affections, and be ing. 12th, labelling and preparing for blessed with good and gentle cows. market. Recently these gentlemen have introduced the use of mineral coal in their forges, and one of the firm is the patentee of the "concave sett." By these two improvements combined, the expense of manufacturing the scythes is materially diminished, and the danger of separating the back from the web, in grinding, is avoided. In each of the shops there is a blowing machine, by which means of pipes, communicates with the numerous forges, and keeps up the degree of heat in all. All the machinery is driven by water power, and in both factories not less than 2500 dozen scythes are made annually. Ledyard, July 2, 1836. From the Maine Farmer. J. B. B. I had the misfortune to be milker of a cow, (“ Old Kick” was her name,) for two or three years, which had been trained as above mentioned. She was as bad as bad could be, as split pails and sore shins would at the time have testified. She was for the first two seasons geatle and kind, and was considered a very excellent cow. She was then sold, and probably by bad management, either by having sore teats or some other cause, became, as I have stated, as bad as bad could be. The purchaser was accordingly dissatisfied with his bargain, and the seller not knowing the reason, and considering her well worth the money paid for her, gave the man his money and again took the cow. Many has been the frolic I have had with her, for hardly a night or morning passed without a chase, and nothing short of a good threshing would induce Mr. Holmes :-I have long been conher to stand still and be milked. At length vinced that the Temperance reform was exI invented a plan which ended the flogging erting a salutary influence on the three business, and "Old Kick" was completely great interests of New-England; but never under my control. I made a small till of late have I been fully aware of the and drove her into it, having prepared a extent of the reform in the great manufacstrap with a buckle at one end, and buck-turing establishments, or the amount of good led it around her hind legs. I then let which has resulted. her manœuvre to her own satisfaction, and finding she was fast, she accordingly gave up, and I milked her without even one attempt to kick. She soon became willing for me to buckle the strap without choice of place, and I had no more trouble afterwards, otherwise than keeping a strap in readiness. I tried several times to milk her without fastening her legs, but she soon convinced me she had not forgotten her old pranks. I used the strap two years; she was then fattened and sold to the butcher, and thus ended the life of " Old Kick." pen To me no part of the farmer's stock looks more grand and beautiful, as well as lucrative, than a number of sleek, handsome and stately cows, yarded for the purpose of milking. See them! How majestic they look! Their large and handsome bags, furnished with clean and nicely shaped handles, and then to draw an overflowing pail of the white and foaming liquid. What can be more delightful! In my opinion, farmers in general do not make it sufficiently their interest in the selection of their stock, especially those for the dairy. In the first place, the best breed should be obtained, and then a selection should be made of such as are kind and gentle, with another very necessary appendage, viz sizeable teats. We have a young cow at the present time, and, to speak within bounds, I should not think her teats exceeded one inch and a half in length. The other day I had occasion to milk an old ewe, which had lost her lamb, and am confident her teats were tull as long, and I think for choice I had rather milk her! Now I should charge in the course of a season to milk such a cow the extra time, well as trouble and perplexity taken into' During a late excursion in Massachusetts The first factory I visited was a scythe Most of your readers have probably used There are two branc es of the scythe The first operator takes a piece of iron In examining the works, I was much P'eased with the neatness and order which prevailed, and with the air of cheerfulness and health which was apparent. In an swer to my inquiries, on this head, the Messrs. Farwell and their partner, Mr. Simonds, informed me that they conducted their factories on the most rigid principles of temperance. They furnish no intoxicating drink to their men-they decline giving employment to any man who is known to use spirits as a drink, either ha bitually or occasionally. The results of this prudent arrangement is that the work is done in the best manner and in season, and there are no quarrels, nor misunderstandings. Every one knows his duty and performs it-every one understands his own rights and respects those of his employers and shop-mates. that intoxicating drinks are not necessary A TRAVELLER. From the New-England Farmer. 'THOS. G. FESSENDEN, Esq. JOSEPH HARRINGTON. * BY THE EDITOR.-The following remarks originally appeared in the Hampshire Gazette. President Dwight, in his "Trav. mon opinion that tender plants and fruit els in New-England," &c., says, the comtrees ought to be placed in a warm southern exposure, to preserve them from frosts is erroneous. mended for defending trees against canker | resource, in most cases, for building, for From the Cultivator, for August. DIFFUSION OF AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE. What is your age?" was the interroga. tory which an eastern prince caused to be MY DEAR SIR-I wrote you a short letter put, by one of his attendants, to a very old from Pennsylvania, on the subject of the man, seated by the way side. "I am four sugar beet; in passing through Ohio, Ken. years old," was the reply. “Do you tucky, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois and Mintend to insult his majesty?" was the rechigan, I have stated to many intelligent it is but four years since I began to live, as joinder. No, may please your majesty and wealthy individuals, the value of the sugar beet, and I am glad to inform you, a tree." According to this definition of livought, for posterity-since I first planted that a general feeling prevails, that a new and important product is about to be intro-ing for posterity, but comparatively few of duced, which will be a source of vast bene- our countrymen have began yet to live; for fit to our country. All that is now instead of planting, their study and occupa. tion have been to destroy trees. But every consideration of interest and comfort admonish us, to change our habits in this reready experiencing a scarcity of wood, and spect, and to provide in time for the wants of posterity. The old settled States are althey contain vast tracts of land, now in a great measure unproductive, which, if planted, would in a few years yield a profitable is rapidly filling with a population which return in wood, and the great Prairie West will soon exhaust its spare woods. ing, want Your excellent paper, the Cultivator, is becoming a mine is information; when that is diffused, capital and enterprise are ready in abundance, to undertake the maufacture. I find are deeply impressed with the importance that the good and enterprising every where, of the universal diffusion of information that will tend to improve husbandry, education and temperance. He adduces many facts to prove that fruit trees should be planted on north western, northern, or western declivilies, where they may be exposed to the north western, northern, or western winds. A white frost being merely frozen dew, the great object should be to keep the dew from resting on the plants. This can be effectually done only by exposing them to the free access of the north western wind,the source of almost every white frost. Plants from which the dew is swept away by this wind will escape; while those which, by being sheltered from its current, retain the dew, will be destroyed. Major White, of South Hadley, had an orchard on the north west I have frequently forwarded a copy of our temperance papers to each post-master in the Union, with the hope of interesting them in the cause, and inducing them to act as agents. The consequence has been, they have, as a class, been among our most valuable friends, for procuring subscribers and transmitting money. It is of such vast importance that the farmers in all parts of our country, especially Planting woodland may be regarded as a new business with us, though the Massachusetts agricultural society have endeav ored to encourage it by liberal premiums, and individuals, in different parts of the Union, have directed attention to it. It is related of a farmer on Long Island, that he planted a hundred locust trees on the birth of each child, and that the proceeds of the hundred trees, when the child became of age, afforded it a handsome outfit. It is a branch of rural economy which we must ern declivity of a hill, exposed to the strong in the new parts of it, should have you begin at some time, and the sooner we be winds that blow through the gap of Mount paper, that I wish you would forward one Tom and Mount Holyoke. These winds of your first numbers to every post-master gin the better. Many districts on the old continent have becon.e desolate, and almost swept the dew from this orchard so effectu. in the United States, with a short address, uninhabitable, in consequence of the total ally, that its blossoms regularly escaped the calling attention to it, and soliciting each destruction of the wood. This is the coninjuries of such late frosts in the spring as to act as agent. The low price of the Cul-dition of many tracts in Asia, in Spain, and destroyed those of the surrounding country.tivator, its valuable contents, and the pro- in the environs of its capital, and even in fits (if any.) derived from its subscribers, Russia. In speaking of the maize and vine being entirely devoted to advance the gene-district of that empire, lying upon the Black al interests of agriculture, will commend sea and the confines of Turkey, a late wri it to universal patronage, when known and ter, said to be a Russian statesman, menappreciated. For the expense of this dis- tions as a great defect of this region, the tribution, you may call on me. The inhabitants of South Hadley styled such a frost Major White's Harvest, because in such years his cider commanded a very high price. A Mr. Lyman informed Presi dent Dwight that in his garden, which was exposed to the north west winds, the white frosts had never done any injury to the veg. etables. See N. E. Farmer, vol. v. p. 348. I am, dear sir, respectfully yours, E. C. DELAVAN. From the Cultivator, for July. almost total absence of forests and he recommends the planting of larch and other quick growing trees in spots where the soil is suitable, and sheltered from the strong blasts which sweep the plain; to rear other plantations under shelter of the first; and the planting of trees near farm houses, and Trees give to a farm half its intrinsic val-villages, round the fields, along the roads, Without trees about it, a farm house and especially in the ravines, as means of looks naked, cheerless and uncomfortable; ameliorating the climate, and increasing the and without trees man enjoys but a modi-productiveness of the soil. cum of the blessings which providence has The following process has been recom-destined for his use. Trees are the farmer's Another advantage in a northern expos ure is obtained by its keeping vegetation back till late in the spring. If vegetation cominences early, subsequent frosts congeal the sap in its pores, and kill the young plants by bursting or tearing its fibres; as a glass or earther vessel is broken by water being frozen in it. See N. E. Farmer, Vol. v. p. 260. це. The planting of forests and ornamental grounds, has long been practised in Europe, |