86 ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW-YORK 



Mr. Johnson visited Mr. Walrath's farm again, when he was 

 gathering in hops, and the crop for the season was a good one — 

 the hops fine and brought the highest price in New- York, as 

 advised by the factor who sold the crop. 



In addition to hops, Mr. Walrath raises spring wheat, oats, 

 corn, potatoes, &c., all of which are cultivated with care and 

 success. 



■ Mr. Walrath uses guano on his hops, which he mixes with 

 lime, ashes and salt, in composition, and finds it very useful. 



We were shown in the wheat and oats the ravages of the mice, 

 which had eaten off, as estimated, nearly one sixth of the crop. 

 They had never been discovered before this year and means 

 were being taken to dispose of them. 



Mr. Walrath's farm is almost entirely free of weeds, while 

 farms around him, and the public roads are filled with Canada 

 thistles. He showed us a thistle-puller, which he uses to pull up 

 the thistle as it appears, and in this w^ay he has subdued them 

 so that with very little trouble he keeps his farm free from 

 them. This also answers for all other weeds. The instrument 

 is very simple; one was piade for the Society and is to be seen 

 in the Museum. '' 



Mr. Walrath's hop-house and heating and bagging operators 

 are very convenient, and enable him to prepare his hops in good 

 condition for market. 



Mr. Walrath raises the long pink eye potatoes in purity, and 

 of admirable quality. He has never had the disease with them. 

 Potatoes are dug when ripe and dry, put into a dark cellar on 

 the bottom, in Octobor — potatoes planted on dry land — uses a 

 composition of ashes, plaster, salt, and muck for his potatoes — 

 never has had rot in the hill or in the cellar. The potatoes keep 

 fresh and fine as we tested when at his house. Mr. Walrath 

 keeps a regular book of expense for all his operations, very 

 complete. 



Mr. Walrath calculates the expense per ton to fit hops for 

 market at $40. This is the result of several years' experience. 



We found the dairy arrangements for the family excellent, as 

 Tve were enabled to testify by the articles presented. 



Mr. Walrath had in his sitting room the Agricultural Journals, 

 showing that he was on the alert to avail himself of all the 



