402 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER, 



then run off by the fiirrciw-drains to the open ditch- 

 es. 



Complete subsoil drainage of tlie retentive soils 

 can only bu effected by having a drain in every 

 furrow, or about one or at most two perches apart ; 

 and then by subsoil plowing across the drains, and 

 making an artificial porous stratum under the cul- 

 tivated surface, to within an inch or two of the 

 stones in the drains, that the rain-water may fall 

 through the surface ;ind run in the subsoil to the 

 drains. The effect produced on the crops of close 

 retentive soils, after they have beenperfectly drain- 

 ed and subsoil plowed, is most astonishing. 



The produce is so much increased that it will 

 in many instances, pay the expenses in a year or 

 two; and wet soils, which seemed to be strong 

 clay when wet, become friable and even light when 

 completely subsoil-drained, are easily cultivated, 

 and light enough for producing turnips to be fed 

 off with sheep'. 



Perfect drainage and deep plo^ving is the true 

 principle of giving totlie soil an increased fertility. 

 By this means the plants- -are enabled readily to 

 push their roots farther and deeper in search of 

 food, which they obtain of a more healthy kind, 

 than when the soil is imperfectly drai-ned and 

 plowed shallow. All tenacious clay soils should 

 be trenched or subsoil-plowed once in every course 

 of crops, or when they are in fallow; this practice 

 not only gives to the roots of plants a greater 

 scope to go in search of food in dry weather, but 

 also furnishes a depth of porous substratum under 

 the soil to draw off the superabundant moisture 

 during continued wet weather, and transmits mois- 

 ture to the roots of plants in continual drought. — 

 Ibid. 



JVHIE 23. 1-11. 



retorns. In Asia and Africa, much is attributed ; express ng any opinion of my own. This I did. 



For the N. E. Farmer. 



IRRIGATION. 



This ii[iportant branch of agricultural business, 

 has not recrived its merited attention. In Ameri- 

 ca it is, as yet, a novel practice; but on the east- 

 ern continent, has been understood from the earli- 

 est times. The ancients highly commended this 

 art, and attributed much to the great benefits re- 

 ceived froEn it. The immortal Homer, in his Iliad, 

 says — 



" The peasant wilh his spade, a rill 

 Conducts from some pure fountain through his grove 

 Or garden, clearing the obstructed course." 



Again, in his Odyssey, when describing the beau- 

 ties of the garden of .Mcinoiis — 



" Amid 

 The lovely scene, two fiimlains welliog forth, 

 One visits, into every part diffused, 

 The garden round." 



So, also, Virgil, in his Georgics, expresses him- 

 self in much the same terms — 



[The cpiotation, untranslated, would he of no ser- 

 vice to our readers generally, and we oinit it.]' 



But not by the poets alone, has this improve- 

 ment been spoken of as particularly beneficial to 

 the soil. Strabo, and a multitude of historians, 

 liave recorded numerous instances of its adoption : 

 in oriental countries, especially, often has been 

 mentioned the fertility occasioned by canals led 

 from the Tigris and Euphrates. 



Among the Chinese, it has been in use up to 

 the eailiest dates of their records. They proceed 

 on a magnificent scale, dividing their canals into 

 frequent channels, whereby they secure immense 



to their aqueducts, and a bountiful harvest relied 

 upon wherever they exist. In some portions of the 

 former country, particularly at Mysore, this subject 

 is under the express auspices and control of gov- 

 ernment. 



In the Milanese territory, a greater expanse of 

 irrigation is ex-hibited than upon any other portion 

 of Europe. Canals are seen running iu every di- 

 rection, and the lands adjacent present a scene of 

 uncotTimon fecundity. Centuries ago, canals were 

 estiiblished there, and the continuance of water 

 in them, is an object of general solicitude. There 

 also, they are kept in operation by the authority 

 and protection of government. 



It seeins to be a matter of surprise, that attempts 

 to irrigate, are not more frequently made in Ameri- 

 ca. Our country, as a general thing, is amply 

 provided with water privileges, and our soil in moat 

 places can be greatly improved by them. Arid 

 and apparently worthless land can be rendered ara- 

 ble, even without manure, in many instances, by 

 appropriating water to this purpose. We daily ob- 

 serve situations, naturally offering this advantage, 

 without the smallest attempt being made to retain 

 or lead the water aside. Plowing not unfrequent- 

 ly from some considerable elevation, it glides with 

 velocity through lower lands, in one direct course, 

 while the soil, a little more remote, might be doub- 

 led or trebled in value, by the inHuence of this ele- 

 ment. The stream is allowed to pass by unheeded 

 and is lost in some marsh or eventually in theocean. 

 Tillage in America has progressed rapidly, in 

 point of improvement, for the last few years. Su- 

 perior inventions in agricultural instruments, are 

 of almost daily occunence, and it seems rather as- 

 tonishing that this particular branch of cultivation 

 should be so generally overlooked. Irrefragable 

 are the testimonies of its benefits wherever it has 

 been adopted. 



T. S. D. 



beeausj I wished to have it done by abler pens, 

 ir, having had some experience in manag- 

 3, I am induced to present my views on 



Ilowev 

 ing CO 



the sul jcct. 



O.u(>tion I'st. Is it advantageous to let cows 

 drink lie biestings, or the first milk after calving? 



For experiment, I have tried both ways, giving 

 them he milk, and not giving, and am well satis- 

 fied tint it makes no material difference. For 

 thirty ears I have, generally, been in tlie habit of 

 giving my cows the first milk, and it has not had 

 that e ect named by Mr Peters. My cows, gener- 



For the New England Farmer. 



MANAGEMENT OF COWS AFTER CALV- 

 ING. 



Mr Euitor — In your paper of June 2d, I read 

 a piece written by Mr Peters, of Westboro.' In 

 that communication, he expressed his opinion on 

 certain questions that I projiounded, respecting the 

 maniis;ement of cows afttr calving, published in 

 the N. E. Farmer, of April 28th. I was glad, Mr 

 Editor, that you said something by way of answer- 

 ing the questions; likewise, that Mr Peters ex- 

 pressed his opinion, though I do not, altogether, 

 agree with him. Free expression of honest opin- 

 ion is a right that all ought to enjoy. I find no 

 fault with .what he has written, (except one thing,) 

 and that is not very material. He says, "thewri- 

 tor would have done well to have said before and 

 after calving, for that was the question at the dis- 

 cussion which he mentions." Now, Mr Editor, he 

 has no authentic proof as to where this discussion 

 was. I suppose, because my article was dated at 

 Westboro', he thinks the discussion must have 

 been there also. If he will have the goodness to 

 turn to my communication, he cannot tell, neither 

 does he know, whether the meeting that I attended 

 was at Westboro', or in some other town. As Mr 

 Peters has made a leap in the dark, I shall there 

 leave him. 



1 proposed the questions, above named, without 



ally, 



injuri 



than 



ave had good appetites. If the milk had an 

 us effect, probably it would not last more 

 day or two. if cows at this time require. 



some )ing laxative, who knows but the milk is the 

 best perienl drink they can have .' Mr Peters 

 state, that his father^s cows and liis, uniformly lost 

 not (nly their appetite but their ft-esh. Has not Mr 

 Petes, by his " ci'iticid experience" found out that 

 It is latural for milky cows to lose their flesh after 

 calvng? What! can we expect a cow to give 

 fiftejn, and more quarts a day, and not have it 

 caiilc emaciation? As a general thing, this can- 

 not be prevented by the best of keeping and best 

 attendance. Look at all females, that give milk, 

 parlcnlarly the soio. How quick her flesh leaves 

 hoijin consequence of giving milk ; (not by drink- 

 ingthe biestings.) 



Question 2d. Is it beneficial or detrimental to 

 have cows eat the after-birth ? 



f say, without hesitation, it is beneficial. And 

 noivigilance of man (in many cases) can prevent it. 

 ThW often calve in the night, and in lots, and eat 

 the placenta before any one has a chance to lake 

 it iway from them. I believe with Youatt, that it 

 is i medicine designed for the cow, by the God of 

 nature. It is true, it seems to us it might be det- 

 riijicntal and unnatural ; and we know that if giv- 

 en! to any other cow, she would loathe it and would 

 nol touch it. But in the case of the mother, for 

 tli| reason that what comes from her is " bono of 

 hei- hone and flesh of her flesh," she licks her off- 

 sjfring with a good relish, and eats the after-birth 

 with greediness, and, undoubtedly, it does her good. 

 As to getting choked with it, it is possible, but not 

 any more probable than that the iobacco-chewer will 

 get choked with his quid. 



Question 3d. When the secundine adheres, and 

 nature is obstructed in her operations, can any 

 thing be given to the cow to remove it ? 



On this question, Mr Peters and I very well 



tee. When there is a real adhesion of the se- 

 chndine, not any thing can be given to remove it. 

 Good nursing is all we can do for the cow ; except 

 what may be done by artificial means. In some 

 cases, undoubtedly, it would be better to let things 

 take their course, than to make use of violence. 



A HERDSMAN. 

 , lVtstboro\ June 9th, 1841. 



CIRCULAR. 

 We publish with pleasure the following circular, 

 addressed to us by the Hon. II. L. Ellsworth, Com- 

 missioner of Patents, and trust the commendable 

 object lie has in view, will receive from the public 

 all the aid it is in their power to extend. 



Patent Office, \ 

 jyashington, Dec. 18, 1840. ( 



Sir You are doubtless apprised, by the public 



papers, that a National Gallery in the Patent Of- 



