400 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Sept. 



expense than that of carting and spreading barn 

 manure. 



The value of sheep to the farmer is much en- 

 hanced by attention to their wants. Large flocks 

 kept together are seldom profitable, while small, 

 assorted flocks always pay well, if fed as they 

 should be. To get good fleeces of wool, and large, 

 healthy lambs from poor neglected sheep is im- 

 possible. It is also true, that the expense of 

 keeping is often least with the flocks that are al- 

 ways kept in good condition. The eye and the 

 thought of the owner are far more necessary than 

 large and irregular supplies of fodder. Division 

 of the flock and shelter, with straw and a little 

 grain, will bring them to spring pastures in bet- 

 ter order than if kept together with double ra- 

 tions of hay, one-half of which is wasted by the 

 stronger animals, while the weak of the flock pick 

 up but a scanty living, and oftentimes fail to get 

 that through the whole winter. 



We commend this subject to the consideration 

 of our correspondents — it needs attention on the 

 part of the farming public. — Country Gentleman. 



For the New England Fanner. 

 CHINESE SUGAR CANE AND MOWERS. 



Mr. Editor: — What say you of the sorglio 

 the present season ? If my memory is right, you 

 were of the number the last year that hoped 

 benefit to accrue from its culture. I have in- 

 quired for it, but have not found any — or at most 

 "none to speak of," as the bachelor said of his 

 children. Some answer that their seed did not 

 ripen sufficiently to vegetate ; but generally the 

 impression seems to be that it is not woi'th culti- 

 vating ; certainly rjot here at the North. 



I have just come in from witnessing the ope- 

 rations of mowers. There were four in the 

 same field, all mowing at the same time — com- 

 pletely harnessed and skilfully driven — cutting 

 and spreading the grass to the admiration of all 

 who saw them. Beyond question, implements 

 of this character are destined to survive and be 

 practically useful. I look forward to the time 

 when a mower, moved by the power of one horse, 

 cutting a clear swarth of four feet, in grass yield- 

 ing two tons to the acre, completing an acre an 

 hour, shall be deemed as indispensable an imple- 

 ment on every well furnished farm in New Eng- 

 land, as a plow or a harrow. 



Our friends of the State Society did not mis- 

 apprehend the importance of the value of this 

 implement, when they offered a premium of 

 $1000 for one of unexceptionable structure ; and 

 although the award was made somewhat precipi- 

 tately, still there is reason to believe that the 

 principle on which the Heath mower is construct- 

 ed, will be found the very thing that is needed. 



Juhj 14, 1858. Essex. 



PULPING OR MINCING ROOTS. 



At a recent meeting of the London Central 

 Farmers' Club, the subject under discussion was 

 that of the expediency of reduc'ng roots, such 

 as turnips, beets, parsnips, carrots, &c ,to a pulp, 

 before feeding them out to stock. Mr. Ford- 

 IIAM, a gentleman of some agricultural distinc- 

 tion, and whose name we frequently see in the 

 English agricultural papers, addressed the meet- 

 ing and recited many instances of cattle being 

 fatted economically on pulped roots, and com- 

 mended the process to general use. Several 

 other gentlemen spoke in favor of the practice, 

 some of them relating their own experiences in 

 the matter. 



We have excellent machines among us to cut 

 roots quite fine, and a practical use of one of 

 them has convinced us of their utility and econ- 

 omy, especially where the roots are to be fed to 

 sheep or young cattle. 



There is also a machine in use, devised by Mr. 



, of Lowell, Mass., for reducing roots 



to a pulp — this we have also used, but soon found 

 that it required something more than man power 

 to run it. The pulp sprinkled upon cut hay made 

 a feed for which the cattle were extremely eager, 

 and upon which they flourished remarkably well. 



It is well to note these experiments by others, 

 as well as to make them ourselves whenever op- 

 portunity and convenience will permit. The 

 farmer is already deriving great benefits from 

 such sources. 



Remarks. — Certainly, sir, we always "hope" 

 for the best. Our people gave the sorgho a pret- 

 ty fair trial last year, and have generally come to 

 the conclusion that when molasses is one dollar a 

 gallon, they will do well to cultivate the sorgho 

 and raise their own sweetening ! We commend 

 them for making the effort — don't you ? It is 

 pleasant to have all doubtful questions settled. 



Fur the New England Farmer. 

 WELLS FOR KEEPING MILK. 



I would like to make a simple suggestion 

 through the columns of your paper, thinking it 

 may be of advantage to some, as it would have 

 been to me five years ago. It is in regard to a 

 well for the purpose of keeping milk. 



It is injurious to the water of a well, used for 

 any other purpose, to put cans of milk in it, and 

 it is no small labor to pump water to cool and 

 keep milk in tubs or troughs. 



Last summer I dug a well for this purpose. 

 It is near the barn, and in a convenient situation 

 for the neighbor to take who carries milk to the 

 railroad. It is about seven feet deep, with about 

 three feet of water. 



The soil at the top for making manure in the 

 barn-yard, and the gravel at the bottom for 

 mending the highways, nearly paid for digging. 

 A few loads of stone for the walls, and a simple 

 platform of plank, with a square of joist for the 

 cover to rest upon, includes the expense. It is 

 in the shade of some quince trees, and near a 

 natural spring. 



It is not every farmer who needs such a well, 

 that has a convenient place for digging it, with- 

 out going too deep for water, — but there are a 

 number in every town in this vicinity, who might 

 be benefited by such a well. 



Lincoln. James Farrar. 



