1838] 



FARMERS' REGISTER 



397 



it to any other Iiay. Clover, when mixed with 

 oilier hay in maikei, for the reason only we be- 

 hove that horses taken in at Hvery stables, will 

 eat more of it than of the herds-grass, cut after 

 it is dead ripe, and so coarse and hard that the 

 mastication of even a small quantity is likely to 

 employ all the time the poor tired horse has to 

 spare from his sleep ; and a rack full of it, like the 

 show pickles and pound cake at taverns, is liable 

 to stand by lor some time and to serve many a 

 guest. We consider clover-hay, when well saved, 

 as some ol the best hay which caw be thrown ; 

 hii^hly palatable, and containing an abundant nu- 

 triment; but its value greatly depends on the mode 

 ot" curing. 



Some farmers have cut it in the morning, and 

 after a warm day have carried it in the afternoon 

 of the same day, and by a very liberal salting have 

 saved it well. But the practice of other farmers 

 is, we believe, a much preferable mode. We know 

 several cases in which it has proved entirely satis- 

 factory ; and we shall proceed to describe it. — 

 They eat it in good weather, and when it is dry. 

 They scarcely spread or stir it at all. At night of 

 the day on which it is cut, they put it into cocks 

 of a good size, and there let it remain two or three 

 days rain orshine. When well made in this way, 

 which is easily determined by a practised hand, on 

 a pleasant day m the morning they turn over the 

 cocks and open them slightly, and then carry it in, 

 giving it a very little sprinkling of salt. One great 

 object is to avoid by much stirring the shaking ofl' 

 of the heads. Thus cured they regard ir among 

 the most valuable hay which they get. We have 

 known the same plan pursued by one of the best 

 farmers in western P«Jevv York with all his hay 

 crop. The Deerfield farmers of late years dry 

 their hay in the sun much less than formerly, and 

 they believe to their great benefit. In all cases 

 however the most scrupulous care must be observ- 

 ed to rid the hay from all wetness of dew or rain. 



From the Baltimore Farmer. 

 RECIPE FOR TAKING HIVES WITHOUT DE- 

 STROYING THE BEES. 



Having always thought that there was great 

 inhumanity in the old plan of destroying the bees, 

 in order to take the honey, we determined to try 

 the more humane plan practised by the French 

 of robbmg them ot their sweets without depriving 

 them of lile, and we have put the plan twice into 

 operation the present season with entire success. 

 And as, besides the humanity of the process, it has 

 economy to recommend it, we deem it our duty to 

 lay the method before our readers, in the hope that 

 we may be instrumental in saving many lives of 

 those industrious workmen, and of securing their 

 labors to their owners for numbers of years. The 

 method, which is easy, is as follows : 



In the dusk of the evening, when the bees are 

 quietly lodged, place a tub near the hive, then turn 

 the hive over with its bottom upwards into the tub, 

 cover the hive with a clean one, which must be 

 previously prepared by washing its inside with 

 salt and water, and rubbing it with hickory 

 leaves, thyme, or some other aromatic leaves or 

 herbs. Having carefully adjusted the mouth 

 of each hive to the other, so that no aperture 



remains between them take a small stick and 

 gently beat round the sides of the fidl hive for 

 about 15 minutes, in which time the bees will 

 leave their cells in the lower hive, ascend and ad- 

 here to the upper one. Then sently lift the new 

 hive with all its little tenants, and place it on the 

 stand from vvhich the other hive was taken. 



This should be done about midsummer, so as to 

 allow the bees lime to provide a new stock of ho- 

 ney for winter's use. If care be observed no dan- 

 ger need be apprehended. 



From the Buclieye Ploughboy. 

 THE FARMER. 



No avocation in life is more respectable and 

 useful than that of the farmer. The lime has 

 gone by when " contempt is cast upon the hus- 

 bandman." Agriculture, as a science, is becom- 

 ing more important, and more honorable. It is 

 the noblest, for it is "the natural employment of 

 man." The intelligent and independent farmer is 

 ever respected ; he holds an important and respon- 

 sible place in society. Upon him devolve many 

 duties ; upon him rest many obligations. In him 

 we look for examples in patriotism, virtue and in- 

 telligence. Jjiving, not in the " hum of human 

 cities;" where he would be continually in the whirl- 

 pool of political and other excitement, he can ex- 

 amine questions of a moral, religious and political 

 nature, with a cool head, a calm mind, and an un- 

 biassed judgment. To him we look for correct 

 opinion, and in him we should ever find a safe 

 counsellor, and a correct adviser. 



Our farmers should cultivate their minds and 

 their hearts, as well as their fields. They can 

 gain as rich rewards in the mental, as they can reap 

 profitable harvests in the natural world. With- 

 out learning a man cannot be a first rate farmer. 

 Without intelligence he cannot discharge in pro- 

 per manner, the duties of a citizen. Agriculture 

 IS a science that requires experience and study. 

 Men must be educated to be farmers, as well as 

 to be lawyers, or doctors. And there are thou- 

 sands of young men who are in stores and offices, 

 who should go into agricultural pursuits. It would 

 be better for them, better for the country. And 

 who would not rather be an independent farmer, 

 than a small shopkeeper, or a fliurth rate lawyer 

 or doctor ? Who would not rather be first in a 

 useful employment, than to be titman in one which 

 the world calls honorable? Let young men seek 

 for land, rather than for situations, " in the cotton 

 trade and suirar-line." 



From tlie Genesee Farmer. 

 SWAMPS. 



Sivamps are generally considered the most 

 worthless and unprofitable part of a farm, when, 

 in nine cases out of ten, if they were properly 

 treated by draining, trenching, and being fi-eed 

 from bogs and bushes, they might be converted 

 into the most valuable and productive soil. What 

 are termed swamps are usually low lands, receiv- 

 ing the water and the wash of the neighboring 

 hills, and of course must be composed of the rich- 



