THE GENESEE FARMER. 



109 



tare between heat nnd cold. The soil is none of the 

 richest^ being formed mainly of primitive and transi- 

 tion rocks, in situ-; and not^ as in all hgher latitudes, 

 tnainly from drift depositions. The geology of (Jeor- 

 gia is quite interesting, viewed in its agricultural re- 

 lations, as is the study of this science everywhere. — 

 Having a fondness to talk and write of rocks and soils, 

 you may hear from me on this subject. D. Lke. 



ITEMS SUGGESTED BY THE MAECH NXmCBEE. 



The " I'rfee Essay" number is before me, and 

 proves I was not destined to be disappointed in my 

 anticipations of a " rare treat from its perusal." Let 

 me itemize as usual: 



Hints on Spring Work. — Yes, we must now be 

 ttt it. Spring is here, and its tvork has come with it. 

 About the first that can be done is to build new, and 

 re-lay old, fences. Don't forget to put up a gate or 

 two on the most frequented routes. Sow your clover 

 seed, and be sure you have fresh seed, of last sum- 

 mer's crop. If older, its growing is doubtful. For 

 corn and potatoes, manure should now be drawn out, 

 but I would not spread it until the day it was to be 

 plowed in. Get iu spring crops as soon as the sea- 

 eon will admit. It is important that they get rooted 

 before the early summer drouth. 



Frauds in Artificial Manures. — The success of 

 the self-styled Professors, in humbugging farmers, is 

 lai^ely due to their neglect to look and think for 

 themselves. Let them search out and save up the 

 fertilizers wasted upon their own farms, and they 

 would not need to go abroad for artificial manures 

 to enrich their soils. If they do, chemical analysis 

 will 'nform them truly of its value. 



Plaster for Clover. — Knowing that some Seneca 

 county farmers think plaster can be used too* freely, I 

 thought perhaps Mr. Johnston coincided with them 

 in opinion, and sovved plaster only once in seven years 

 on his farm. It is three years since we have sown 

 any, and we have had only half a crop of clover, and 

 very ppo; success in seeding, during that time. I am 

 glad to know what Mr. J.'s practice is, and must have 

 two tons of plaster for my grass lands this spring. 

 For corn, I think ashes better than plaster, though 

 many mix the two for a top dressing, and commend 

 it highly. 



Foul in the Fekt. — Many years since, some of our 

 cattle were seven ly afflicted with this di?ease ; they 

 could scarcely stand, and it seemed as though their 

 hoofs would rot off. There was plenty of ergot in 

 our Bpeargrass hay. Of late years, we have grown 

 only timothy aud clover hay, and have seen noihing 

 of the disease. I have no doubt that its cause is 

 fcruly stated by your New Haven correspo; dent. 



Managejiknt of Swine. — I like Mr. Britten's re- 

 marks on this suliject, because he " winters his pigs 

 in the pork barrel." It is a gvc it nuisance, this feed- 

 ing a lot of pigs ill! winter, and then not making bet- 

 ter pork of tiiem in December than spring pigs ought 

 to make, though at more than one-half additional 

 expense. 



Winter Wheat. Indian Corn, and Potatoes. — 

 The prize aniclis on the cultivation of these crops, 

 ere each of then' worth the price of the Fnrmer for 

 several years. Yet there are hundreds of farmers 

 who can write "ust as well — \T^ho can rnis'^ as good i 

 •rops, aiid knmv how to do it every iim:; QX\rv -u.- 

 ^aries excepted. Will they, too, write out theiJ^ fci- 



perience ? It will enable you to give, every month, 

 a " Prize Essay number." 



Fencin(5 — Sweet Briar Hedges. — One of your 

 correspondents suggests a trial of sweet briar hedgea 

 This plant would seem pretty well adapted to hedging 

 purposes. It hiis a " quick, thick, and thorny growth," 

 aud on good soil I have seen the stems an inch in 

 diameter, and ten iieet high. Actual trial, howeve]r» 

 must be had to test it 



Bkat Means of Destroying Weeds. — The short 

 essay (twenty-five lines) on this subject, suggests a 

 very thorough remedy for a very serious evil. It will 

 not be very expensive to give it a trial, and I think 

 it will succeed. 



Women's Rights as to Milking. — Give us more 

 light on this question, if you have any in reserve j 

 not that I need it in my own case, for my " women 

 folks" do not need asking to milk in the buisy sea- 

 son. I think it is a busy season any time iu the year 

 with women who have their own housework to do 

 and children to care for, and so does any kind and 

 thoughtful husband. » 



Fruit-Growers' Association. — The discussions of 

 this body I look upon as of much value to the pub- 

 lic, and hope the Society may receive every encour- 

 agement from the agricultural as well as horticultural 

 community. Yours is the best report, so far, I have 

 seen of its proceedings. The Horticultural Depart- 

 ment of the Farmer is well sustained, and filled with 

 practical matter, though I have, heretofore, seldom 

 offered any remarks upon its contents. My present 

 garden is but just commenced; it is half a dozen 

 years since circumstances have permitted me to pay 

 much practical attention to the subject BL 



JViagara Co., JV. Y. 



ROTES FOR THE MONTH BY S. W. 



The Death of Dr. Kane. — Since my last oar 

 country is deprived of a son, in his prime, by death, 

 of whom it may well be proud. His Artie expedi- 

 tion, as lately published, is one of the most stirring 

 narratives of Artie research and discovery yet pub- 

 lished. His graphic details of the toil, exposure, and 

 famine of himself and shipmates, are animated by the 

 enthusiasm and indomitable courage of tlje man. — 

 AVhile journals of other Artie voyagers are tame aud 

 meagre from the paucity of material and incident to 

 be found in a bold, icy, hyperborean region. Dr. 

 Kane enlivens his journal by making the most of every 

 thing that came under the notice of his ever stcl'ivo,. 

 expanded, philosophical and observant mind. He 

 not only gives the moral and physical individuality 

 of each of his associates, and shipmates, but to eveir 

 praiseworthy Esquimaux friend, with a detail of their 

 truly philoFohpical habits of life. Of the country^ 

 ice bourd and barren as it is, he makes the m.ost sad 

 best by describing its geology, its stinted s^^lva, 

 meagre herbaceous plant?, mosses and flora ,* its 

 mammalia, birds, cetacea and fishes, with the inspired, 

 pea of a 1rne master. But alth lugh the mind, through 

 the aid of divine Providence, lifted up and sustaii.ed 

 the severely tried body in every privation and expo- 

 sure, the eHort was too nneqaa' ; the material has fiuc- 

 cumbed, and the spirit has go;je to Go9 who gave it. 

 I repeat the world has lost ia Dr. Kane, a hero, th»- 

 like of whom i he present generation may not see agaiiu 



The Prisle L^says. — The Miicli r-nir-bf^r of tbft 

 Farmer ia enriciied by a serieaof eiiort, grapbia t-\i-^ 



