THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 



93 



proved very different. The first sown entirely 

 escaped the rust, the straw unusually bright and 

 clear, the grain (iiU and plump, equal in quality 

 to any produced in our best seasons — second time 

 of sowing succeeded next — and the last materially 

 injured by rust. This trial, however, 1 do not 

 believe entirely decisive, because the last peculiar 

 season has had great influence on the final result. 

 Further experiments ought to be made and re- 

 ported. It appears to me that the lime of sowing 

 wlieat should be regulated to avoid, if possible. 

 the two greatest evils by which our crops are 

 endangered. 1 mean the fly and winter killing. 

 Very early sown wheat will get firmly rooted be- 

 fore winter, if it should escape the fly ; on the 

 contrary, late sown is liiU as liable to receive in- 

 jury by freezing out. 



1 would look to the particular character of the 

 soil to determine when is the correct time ol 

 needing it, lor heavy clay land is more likely to 

 be thrown up than light sandy soil ; sandy soil 

 retaining less water. In comparing the several 

 casualties attending our previous crop of wheat, 

 1 am induced to believe that the chances are most 

 in favor ol the early sown producing the best 

 crop. Make your land rich, and the fly can do no 

 injury compared to the risk you will hazard in 

 delay, from rust and winter killing. 



1 expressed my sentiments so fully in my last 

 communication on the growth and culture of the 

 corn crop, that 1 will now say but little on that 

 subject. I yet entertain the opinion that the best 

 preparation that we can give to land, to produce 

 the greatest yield, should be applied when it is in 

 a grass sod, and previous to turning it over. 

 Whatever efforts are then made to manure and 

 enrich the soil, the benefits resulting thereli"om 

 will be immediate and direct. 1 consider that 

 deep ploughing at the same time is essential, 

 and almost of equal importance to secure a suc- 

 cessful crop. In no other way can we guard more 

 effectually against the withering influence of our 

 dry seasons, than by thus creating a depth ol 

 mellow soil, which repels its effects by lessening 

 evaporation. 



The advantages resulting from the growth 

 of the root crops are now justly appreciated by 

 those who have given most attention to their 

 culture. Rising in importance in every section 

 of the country where they have been tried, they 

 are there considered an indispensable crop to 

 every well conducted system of husbandry. They 

 have proved admirable food for cows. I saw in a 

 Philadelphia paper a publication, stating that the 

 best lot of winter butter ever offered in that mar- 

 ket was then exhibited, and had been made en- 

 tirely from the sugar beet. Several members 

 of this society have cultivated these crops with 

 great success. To their experience I will refer 

 you for practical information in regard to this 

 culture. 



I would again recommend enclosing your wood 

 land, and converting it to standing pastures, by 

 cutting off' the small timber, and then thickly seed- 

 ing it all with grass. My own experience con- 

 vinces me of the great benefit resulting from 

 adopting such a course. Those pastures that I 

 have herelolbre made, improve under grazing, 

 and certainly will repay the amount ol" labor ex- 

 pended on their formation. I am so satisfied 

 with the experiment, that I shall continue to in- 

 crease them until all Tiy hill land is converted 



into profitable pastures. Other opinions, in aid 

 and in confirmation of my own judgment, will 

 induce me to persevere until iis final accomplish- 

 ment. A gentleman who had carefully examin- 

 ed our hill land, and the grass growing on it, ex- 

 pressed his admiration at the prospect, and stated 

 his firm belief of its capacity to rival Kentucky 

 in good grazing. I have great confidence in his 

 intelligence and opinion on that subject, as he 

 is himself an adnnra^lle grazier, and well ac- 

 quainted with Kentucky. 



There is nothing that gives more security, or 

 adds a greater ornament to a farm' than good 

 fencing, when judiciously arranged. The great 

 convenience which we now have of getting rail 

 timber, or other materials, for its construction, 

 should induce every farmer to make substantial 

 enclosures. How oiten have we seen ill-will 

 created, and the peace, quiet, and harmony of 

 neighbors disturbed, from the want of such ade- 

 quate fencing as would give security to their 

 crops. Very lew can bear with murh patience 

 trespasses daily committed on their properly, 

 without complaining ; and yet it most frequently 

 happens, that they alone are in fault, through 

 their own negligence and bad management, lor 

 all the injury that they have received. The law, 

 as it now exists, permits stock to run at large, 

 and it is your firei duly to yourself and your 

 neighbor, to guard against their depredations, 

 by making such adequate fences as will secure 

 your crops. 



I have sometimes observed, that through inat- 

 tention and carelessness to the duties of good 

 farming, briers have been permitled to grow up 

 in fence corners, and not unfrequently to extend 

 over whole fields. Such negligent conduct is 

 justly reprehensible ; for surely il our land is of 

 any value to us, it is worth our attention and pro- 

 tection. Nothing i$ easier to keep under, or even 

 to extirpate entirely from a field, than briers. 

 Sow your land ihickly in grass, tread it with 

 stock, apply the scythe when required, and avoid 

 ploughing until you have a perfect sod. To light- 

 en up the soil by the plough is to increase their 

 growth. Their destruction is only effected by 

 binding with grass. 



The exhibition of yesterday has satisfied me, 

 that increased energy and activity has been alrea- 

 dy given to the productions of the country by the 

 operations of this society. The fine stock shown 

 was creditable to their owners. The root, grass, 

 and grain crops as abundant and productive as 

 the season would justify. But it is in the depart- 

 ment of female ingenuity and taste, that we are 

 delighted to find the principal sources of the 

 interest and pleasure belonging to our exhibition ; 

 and to the ladies would I award the greatest 

 praise, justly earned by their spirited exertions. 

 The number, beauty, variety, and superior quality 

 of all the articles presented by them for premiums, 

 were objects of just admiration to all who saw 

 them. We earnestly hope that they will continue 

 their exertions, and we well know, that when aid- 

 ed by the ladies, our cause will prosper 



