155 



nig Hi'^ poriod of p;i-o\vlh of our Icndiiip; crops. Tho. fiirmer li.in not tlin timo or tlio 

 capacity lor iiiakiii.ijj thcso fjoiicralizatious. either from liis own obsorvations, (usually 

 ■vvortlilcs.s,) from tliose of the Departiiioiit of Agriculture, or of tlic siffunl service. At 

 yirescut tlie distinctive features of succeeding crop seasons pass bj', and leave no record 

 for our guidance. 



As for seedH, we feel especially tlio need of grasses and other forage crops for winter 

 and spring grazing and feeding. We also believe that our cotton-seeds might be 

 greatly improved by a system of budding and hybridizing the varieties of this plant, 

 where it could bo scientifically conducted for a length of time, as it might bo under 

 glass ; and wo believe that the southern cotton-planter must rely nioro and more on 

 the excellence of the staple ho produces to overcome competition from other countries. 



NoRTHEKX jMaine. — Mr. J. W. Lang", secretary of the Brooks Farmers' 

 Club, says tltat xVroostook County contains nmcli first-class farming 

 land, and will receive a lar;<i"e immigration this spring. A colony has 

 been planted there, of Swedes, by State authority and expense. State 

 lauds are actually given avray to settlers, 50 cents per acre, paid in work 

 npou roads to convenience the settler ; and farms, with some imxirove- 

 ments, can bo procured cheap. Wheat, corn, oats, i^ye, potatoes, hay, 

 and other products are largely produced. Stock-raising is a leading- 

 feature. Orcharding yet in embrj'o. Schools, mills, and social j)rivileges 

 abound. 



The act to promote immigration and the settlement of tho Avilderness portion of 

 this State, passed by tho present legislature, probably provides for all the expenditures 

 of money that will 1)e necessary for the State to make in this direction. The Swedes 

 are proving themselves industrious, economical, and enterprising. That tiiey have a 

 true conception of what is needed to develop the resources of their c1ios(>q homes is 

 shown by the fact that they are to erect a steam-mill for the manufacture of lumber. 



Faem products in New York. — At a late meeting of the Le Roy 

 Agricultural and Horticultural Society, Mr. H. Ives reported a success- 

 ful potato culture npou 24 acres of average soil, clover turf of a year's 

 standing, turned under and thoi-oughly tilled with the shovel-plow and 

 cultivator. This thorough tillage prevents rot in the seed, and is cheaper 

 than hand-culture. Such weeds as escape it are carefully extermiuated 

 by hand. The whole expense of production, including interest, was 

 $972; the yield was 3,G0O bushels, which, at 40 cents per bushel, $1,440; 

 leaving a net in-otit of 84G8, or nearly $20 per acre — over 48 per cent, 

 upon the cost. The most productive varieties of seed were the Harrison 

 and Peerless. 



The president, Mr. H. H. Olmsted, realized a profit of 30 per cent, 

 upon a moderate yield, raising 2,400 bushels of Early liose npon 10 

 acres ; and 820 bushels of Harrisons upon 2^ acres. Mr. E. Hammond, 

 of Bethany, found the Early Rose to blight extensively in tho top in 

 the second year. IMr. W. L. Bishop raised 200 bushels per acre, but 

 lost about half by blight. Mr. J. Peck, of Stafford, found the Peach 

 Blows better than the Early Rose. 



Mr. C. K. Ward raised 8 acres of Dlehl wheat, 44 bushels per acre. 

 It was well manured with ten or twelve loads per acre. White Michi- 

 gan on the same held yielded only 33 bushels ])er acre. 



Mr. J. Peck, of Stafford, raised the pure I)iehl wheat after barley, 

 putting twenty loads of manure per acre. Yield, 30 bushels per acre, and 

 quality excellent. Mr. W. L. Bishop raised 50 acres of wheat — 25 each 

 of Diehl and White Michigan — raisiug 1,400 bushels, or 28 bushels per 

 acre, worth, at $1.00, $44.80, leaving a net profit of $2G.G0 per acre. 



Mr. A. Hill, on 1§ acres, raised 77 bushels shelled corn; corn, fodder, 

 and p,umpkins brought $105.50; expenses, $49.50, leaving a profit of 

 $5G. Mr. R. Sweetland raised 150 bushels of Sanford ears per acre, but 

 would not recommend it as a general crop. 



Mr. J. E. Hazleton said that there are no orchards in this coi*nty too 

 old to be productive. Many trees in New England two hundred years 



