THE flENESEE FARMER. 



119 



inches hiijh, with slopes corresponding to the slope 

 of the ditch, and forming a regular grade with it on 

 that side. Cut back your hedge to within three or 

 four inches of last year's cutting, and your work is 

 done for another year. If the })lashing syj-tem be not 



Eursued, cut bar-k again to within six inches of the 

 ist, when it may be allowed to grow, only shearing 

 to give it the desired shape. The third year the part 

 cultivated on each side of the hedge, and also t>!ie 

 ditch, may be thickly seeded to timothy to keep out 

 weeds and prevent the falling of the drain. . 



Some advantages claimed for this M'ay of construct- 

 ing hedge, are, that its position, on the top of this 

 ridge, is a good security against mice; and this bed 

 forms a deep rich soil, which will give a i-apid and 

 vigorous growth, and consequently early maturity to 

 the hedge. And without adding to the width of land 

 occupied, it furnishes also a drain ; thus answering 

 the double purpose of a fence and drain. 



Where it is desired to make them a defence against 

 wind, as well as a fence, a plant which attains con- 

 eiderable height and of rapid growth should be sought. 

 The American Elm, ( Ulnus Americann,) it is thought 

 is such a plant It is easily propagated, and grows 

 well on all soils adapted to cultivation. The plan, 

 already de.scribed may be followed, setting the quicks 

 two feet apart. At the commencement of the third 

 year let the plashing be done, which should, if possi- 

 ble, be done without much use of the knife. The 

 shoots may readily be bent down without cutting, and 

 fastened by a little twisting together. Leave a vig- 

 orous shoot, at every other setting, to grow up with- 

 out further rare, except what is necessary to give it 

 a low bushy top. 



Thus, a fence, and at the same time a screen from 

 the winds, would be secured, which in fifteen or twenty 

 years would tell in the most happy results in the bleak 

 regions af our western prairies. 



Perhaps some of the evergreen?, if they can be pro- 

 pagated with facility, may be more desirable for this 

 purpose. 



From the south, we hear no objection to the hedge, 

 where they have the most desirable of hedge plants 

 in the Cherokee Rose and Osase Orange, 



Leicester, Livingston Co., JV. Y. A. W. 



CULTIVATION OF THE MANGEL WITEZEL, 



Fob the profitable cultivation of the mangel, two 

 things are iudispengable: first, a strong, deep soil; 

 eecond, thorough tillage. Sward, when rotted, pro- 

 duces the best of soil for every root crop. The 

 ground designed for mangel wurzel should be plow- 

 ed in July or August preceding, and tilled as for 

 wheat. In the spring, as soon as the ground is in 

 working order, apply ten loads of good barn-yard 

 manure to the acre; spread it evenly over the sur- 

 face, and plow un<ler with three horses, taking narrow 

 furrows, and allowing the plow to penetrate to the 

 depth of one foot. After plowing harrow thoroughly, 

 and, if needed, roll and cultivate, using a wheel cul- 

 tivator ; and then again lightly with the harrow. 

 Then apply six good loads of fine, fermented ma- 

 nure, spread as before directed. Having done this, 

 take a small plow and throw the land into ridges two 

 feet and a ha f apart from centre to centre, turning 

 a furrow each way so as to cover all the manure, but 

 avojd plowing deeper tlian just sufficient to cover it. 

 Tlie ridging is intended for rather wet land. If the 



ground is dry, (naturally so,) ridge as before directed, 

 and drop the manure in the furrow, and split the 

 ridge with the plow, (a double mould board if you 

 have it,) or apply one-third more of the unfer- 

 mented manure, and cover with the cultivator, and 

 smooth with the hnrrow. If the land is ridged, it 

 will be necessary to pass lengthwise of the ridges 

 with a li<rht roller. 



The ground is then ready for planting. There a*e 

 two methods of planting — with the drill, and by 

 hand. When planted by hand, the holes for the 

 seed may be made with a wheel having pegs in its 

 circumference, five or six inches apart, to penetrate 

 the ground one inch. After the seed is dropped, it 

 may be covered by passing the wheel of a barrow 

 over it, which leaves also a slight rut for retaining 

 moisture. 



As soon as the plants can be readily discerned, the 

 ground should be stirred with the hoe, and the plants 

 thinned to one. As soon as they are large enough- 

 to admit it, a cultivator should be drawn between 

 the rows; and if done two or three times, it will be 

 a great benefit to the crop. At the second hoeing 

 each alternate plant should be removed, if not before 

 destroyed — leaving the plants from ten to twelw 

 inches apart. 



I consider the mangel wurzel the most productive 

 of all sorts, and the easiest to harvest and secura 

 They are excellent food for cattle, especially for mi'.ch 

 cows; though not as nutritive for the same bulk or 

 weight as carrots or Swede turnips. An acre of 

 good mangels is, I think, equal to the same of any 

 other roots. David Leatherscich. 



Caledonia, JY. Y. 



THE MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 



Any branch of agriculture to be the most success- 

 fully pursued, requires thought, reflection.observatioR, 

 cornparison, and economy. He who drives on busi- 

 ness at random, without these, is almost sure to meet 

 with disappointment. If success attend his efforts, i-t 

 is oftener the result of accident than of skill. 



This is emphatically true in sheep husbandry. With- 

 out careful attentioi^ but little profit will be realized 

 from this business. In order to meet with success, 

 select a dry, elevated location. This is far preferable 

 to low, wet, marshy land. Sheep dislike to wade in 

 mud and water. It is important too, that they be 

 kept quiet. They are timid in their nature, and ready 

 to flee before an enemy. When worried by dogs or 

 boys, who delight in the sport of seeing them run, 

 they soon become wild and unruly. They are con- 

 tinually restive, — on the look- out for danger, and 

 startled at every trifling noise. Such a state of ex- 

 citement hinders them from feeding, and prevents 

 their food in a measure from performing its proper 

 office. And the efTect will be apparent in their 

 bodies, and in the quantity and quality of their fleece. 



Sheep should also be kept in an enclosure by them- 

 selves. If .wfTered to run with other stock, they are 

 robbed of half their food, especially in winter, — they 

 are driven hither and thither by their superiors, J^ad 

 are continually liable to receive injury; their growth 

 is hindered, and their fleeces damaged. 



They should also have at all times a supply of nu- 

 tritious food. True they may be kept on scanty and 

 barren pastures, but this is not true economy. Th« 

 effect will soon be seen in themselves, their offsprings 



