238 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



0. 



CIRCULAR FROM THE PATENT OFFICE. 



We are pleased to receive the following circular, 

 issued by the Commisioner of Patents. The enqui- 

 ries are directed to the most important subjects, and 

 are so framed as to elicit the principal facts relating 

 to each. If properly responded to, as we trust they 

 will be, they will bring out a mass of valuable infor- 

 mation in regard to the agricultural resources of the 

 different sections ef our country : — 



Thk Cotumissionkr of Patents, in execution of acts of 

 Congress, desires to procure information from Planters, 

 Farmers and others on the following, and any other points 

 dial may occur to you, connected with agriculture : 



Wheat. — Your experience as to varieties, differ- 

 i nee in weight, and of time in ripening ; enemies 

 and diseases, soil and manures best adapted to. 



Oats. — What varieties have you tried and with 

 what results, particularly as to the time of ripening ; 

 with their estimated value as compared with corn as 

 food ; is the cultivation of the oat becoming more or 

 less popular, and for what reason ? 



Rye. — Have you knowledge of any new and valu- 

 able variety ; to what use is it applied : have crops 

 diminished of late years, without any apparently cor- 

 responding diminution in the fertility of the soil, 

 and to what influence is it supposed to be attributed ? 



Barley. — Have any new varieties been tried, and 

 with what results ; to what uses is this grain applied 

 in your State : if not cultivated, is it forbidden by 

 your soil and climate ? 



Maize, (Indian Corn.) — What varieties most es- 

 teemed and for what reasons ; what the difference 

 in time of ripening ; is it liable to change of charac- 

 ter and climate, and other influences, and your obser- 

 vations on that point ; give the estimated value of the 

 husk as compared with the blade, and of both as com- 

 pared with good hay, weight for weight ; what is 

 the value of green corn for soiling cattle, and espe- 

 cially for producing milk ; your experience as to feed- 

 ing grain, whole or ground, cooked or raw 1 



Rice. — Variety cultivated ; describe any new and 

 valuable process for its cultivation or preparation for 

 market. 



(Note.) — As to all these grains, please state the 

 cost of production and usual weight, and the probable 

 average per acre and actual aggregate product, if 

 known, of each in your State ; whether the average 

 product per acre has increased or diminished ; wheth- 

 er the weight per bushel of the various grains is fix- 

 ed by law in your State ; and what weight is pre- 

 scribed for each. 



Hay. — State the comparative value as food for 

 stock, of clover, timothy and mixed hay ; the grass 

 seeds preferred in laying down meadows ; the aver- 

 ago yield per acre ; describe any new process in cur- 

 ing ; have meadows been irrigated in your State and 

 with what effect? 



Peas. — For what purpose cultivated in your State ; 

 tor food or for improving the soil ; estimated value 

 as food lor stock, compared with Indian corn ; the 

 most esteemed variety for field culture : average pro- 

 duct per acre : value of haulm or vines compared 

 with other fodder ; average price per bushel in the 

 last year. 



Root Crops. — Irish anil sweet potatoes, turneps, 

 carrots, beets, mangel-wurtzel, artichoke, and other 

 varieties; comparative value; qpst of production: 

 weight per bushel; and the average per acre, and 

 aggregate produce for your State. 



Cotton. — Average yield per acre and per hand in 

 your State ; aggregate yield of the whole State for 

 1849 ; describe new varieties and processes of cul- 

 tivation : manures best adapted to ; cost per pound 

 or bale, of production ; freight, charges, commissions 

 &c. paid by the planter. 



Sugar. — Whether of cane or maple ; the product 

 per acre ; describe any new process of cultivation or 

 manufacture ; variety of cane cultivated ; its ene- 

 mies and diseases ; cost of making sugar : freight, 

 charges, &tc, paid by the planter. 



Hemp. — On this head give any information that 

 you may deem valuable and new as to varieties, 

 processes of cultivation and preparation for mar- 

 ket ; soil and manures best adapted to ; cost of pro- 

 duction. 



Butter. — Quantity made in your State ; average 

 annual produce per cow ,; are cellars or spring hou- 

 ses preferred 1 



Cheese. — Same questions. 



Horses and Mules. — Number raised in your 

 State ; average value of each ; comparative value for 

 farming purposes ; where is your market for them '. 



Number of Horned Cattle in your State ; average 

 value of at three years old ; where driven to market : 

 cost of keep.per head per year ; which of the impro- 

 ved races is preferred 1 



Sheep Husbandry. — What the prevailing races; 

 what the condition of this branch of industry : am »un1 

 of wool clipped in the year, and average weight of 

 fleece of different races; cost of keeping sheep 

 through the year per head ; where your markets ; 

 what your system of selling ; have you wool depots, 

 and are they found advantageous for wool grower 

 and manufacturer ; what number killed by dogs in 

 'your State ? 



Hogs. — Average weight at a given age ; average 

 weight consumed per head ; proportion of live to nett 

 weight, and cost of production per pound. 



Rain. — Time and degree of highest and lowest 

 range of thermometer, and the mean temperature of 

 the year ; also, inches of rain water in each month, 

 and aggregate for the year. 



Labor. — Cost of, with and without boarding, and 

 cost of boarding. 



Tar and Turpentine. — Quantity and value ' of, 

 produced per hand. 



Plaster and other Fertilizers. 



Lime. — If used as an improver in your State, how 

 much is thought to be best per acre, an I how often 

 applied ] 



Orchards: fruits, transplanting of trees, »f*c. — 

 Information on these and kindre I matters will be of 

 universal interest. 



On the cultivation of the Vine, on Grapes, and 

 American Wines, communications are particularly 

 solicited. 



P. S. Please answer this as soon as convenient 

 after you procure the information, and before the 1st 

 of December ; and, in the mean time please nam 

 one to whom this circular may be sent in the hope 

 of fuller informrtidn. l( not room on the circular, 

 please reply on a separate paper, referring distinctly 

 to the queries. Thom\s Ewbank. 



Uwited States Patent Office, ) Commissioner. 

 Washington, Jul;/, 1849. ) 



Attend your County Agricultural Fair, and take 



such animals and articles as will add interest and 

 value to the exhibition. 



