FARMERS' MISCELLANY. 



HUSBANDRY IN CENTRAL NEW-YORK, 



In letters to John Coon, Esq., of Albany. By one of the editors. 



I. Hop Culture. 



Waterville, May 23, 1845, 

 My Dear Sir — I know that you will agree with me when 

 say, that what a man tells us in a set speech is comparatively 

 little consequence ; at least, it is worth much less than what 

 tells us in his daily and familiar intercourse, for in the latter C8 

 he is less disposed to make a display, and has fewer motives i 

 exaggeration. The best way to get knowledge is to visit him 

 his farm, or in his workshop. We then see how he handles .1 

 tools, what he really produces, and how labor and strength mi 

 be applied to the best advantage, or so as to secure the most pi 

 fitable result. If he is a mechanic, his shop tells a true story of 

 owner. If he is a farmer, his fields and his flocks are witnesse 

 and no palaver of words can conceal his defects, or hide and coi 

 up his ignorance ; if he is a slouch or a sloven, they show itj 

 he is a man who is up and doing with the dawn, they declare 

 It is a poor place for a farmer to discourse largely on the beaut 

 and profits of scientific farming, when his corn is smothering 

 pig-weeds and thistles ; or his onion beds are growing up 

 burdocks. The unmentionable one might just as well attemp' 

 prove himself a pious man, or a rhinoceros that he is a beaui 

 from the length and shape of his snout, as such an one to say tl 

 he is a good farmer. If you see him at his plough, but oi' 

 scratching the epidermis of his corn field, instead of going into 

 bowels, you may surely make up your mind that he is eithe 

 very worthy member of the society of lazy fellows, or else is ''' 

 tally ignorant of the value of the subsoil itself. Impressed "Wi 



