118 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



March 



cautionary and wise remarks, that, in all instances, 

 the seed used here should be imported, as there 

 ■were a number of inferior descriptions, and as the 

 liability of the plant to hybridize was great, and that 

 all experiments in making sugar should be made 

 through the use of the old fashioned cider mill, 

 which would suit, until they had fairly satisfied 

 themselves that the manufacture from the Chinese 

 sugar cane would be profitable. The cane was rich 

 in the constituents of alcohol. 



After further discussion, the meeting adjourned 

 at 9 o'clock, until next Tuesday evening. The 

 members from the country were nearly all absent 

 from town, consequently the want of numbers pres- 

 ent. — Boston Journdl. 



^* 



The next Legislative Agricultural meeting will 

 be held at the State House, on Tuesday evening, 

 Jan. 27th, at 7 o'clock. 



Topics for discussion — Is it desirable to encour- 

 age the breeding of horses in this State ? If so, is 

 it desirable that they should be exhibited at tne 

 Agricultural County Fairs and Shows ? And if so, 

 under what rules, regulations and restrictions shall 

 thev be exhibited ? 



and intend to keep as many sheep as cows. And 

 I believe by allowing them to run together they 

 will be as profitable as cows. I do not suppose the 

 above to be a large story by any means. I have 

 done nothing for them through the winter except 

 to give them plenty of good hay. I suspect the 

 loss of my lambs last spring was the result of 

 breeding in and in, as those sheep that were close- 

 ly related to the buck all lost their lambs, while 

 those not related, did well. 



Benjamin Comings. 

 Greensboro', Vt., Jan. 5th, 1857. 



Fur the New England Farmer. 



SHEEP ON FARMS. 



Mr. Editor : — I have noticed in your paper of 

 late some inquiries as to keeping sheep on small 

 farms ; I believe a small number of sheep may be 

 kept on a small farm very profitably. To prove 

 this, I will give you an account of my own experi- 

 ence during the last three years. Three years ago 

 I purchased two ewe sheep of English Leicester 

 breed at $10 each. I believe at the time some of 

 my neighbors gave me credit for making a very 

 foolish bargain. The first year I raised two lambs, 

 a buck and a ewe ; the buck I sold, after taking two 

 fleeces weighing 12^ pounds, for $12. The ewe 

 has brought up three lambs and given two fleeces, 

 weighing 7 pounds each. The second year one of 

 the old ewes brought twins, the other a single ewe 

 lamb; that lamb I have refused $12 for within a 

 few days. Last spring four of my sheep out of 

 five brought twins, but, unfortunately, five of the 

 nine lambs died, and recently, one of the old sheep 

 died suddenly i but though it is said you can have 

 no more of a cat than her skin, I obtained 25 

 pounds of tallow from her and sold the skin for 

 $1,50. I have now on hand one of the old sheep, 

 which I value at the original price, $10 : — 



One of the old sheep $10,00 



One two year old ewe at 15,00 



Three yearling ewes at twelve each 36,00 



Four ewe lambs at eight each 32,00 



The first year two fleeces of wool sold at 25 cts per ft 3,50 



Second year four fleeces weighing 33 tbs 7,75 



The third year seven fleeces weighing 50 ibs 12,50 



The pelt and tallow from the one lost 4,62 



I liilled one lamb, an ordinary one 3,00 



The buck sold 12,00 



Total income and present value $137,37 



I believe these sheep, if slaughtered this fall, 

 would have brought very near the price here esti- 

 mated, but they are worth more for breeding than 

 their market value as mutton, as they are pure- 

 blooded sheep. The two old ones were imported. I 

 keep on my farm ten cows and some other stock 



For the New England Farmer. 



APPLE AND PEAB, CUTTINGS, &c. 



Messrs. Editors : — The October number of the 

 "Cottage Gardener," a London periodical of note, 

 contains the following interesting information. — 

 Possibly you may have met with it already ; if so, 

 there is "no harm done ;" and if not, I think you 

 will not fail to be pleased by having your attention 

 called to it. The facts are communicated by a Ger- 

 man gentleman, as follows : 



"HOW TO STRIKE APPLE AND PEAR CUTTINGS. 



"First of all, choose, if possible, a border with a 

 north aspect, early in spring, before the buds of the 

 fruit trees begin to swell ; then draw a couple of 

 drills not farther than nine inches apart, and so 

 many more for the following rows, and of the depth 

 as if you thought of sowing peas. When done, 

 go to the fruit trees, and cut any quantity of last 

 year's shoots to the length of two feet, or if not to 

 be had, one foot long, the same as for grafts ; and 

 if you have taken care that the cut at the base is 

 smooth, and in a starting direction, press the thick 

 end, or bottom of the shoot into one of the furrows, 

 bend it over the ridge, and stick the top into the 

 opposite one (furrow.) Be very particular to have 

 a good plump eye where the shoot bends highest, 

 and let the ridge be on an equal level with the 

 original ground, not higher. 



"The drills must now be filled up with additional 

 soil, both sides (ends) of the cutting gently pressed 

 firm, leaving the middle untouched, and give the 

 bed a sort of finish by levelling the whole, so that 

 you see nothing but just the central bud peeping 

 out. If there is a prospect of dry weather, it would 

 be well to retain the moisture of the soil by a slight 

 covering of fern, hay, or similar material. Within 

 a very short time you will see the buds swell, and 

 as if by the agency of hot-house temperature, the 

 whole will appear to be on the move, and you will 

 soon observe leaves and little twigs make their ap- 

 pearance. Frequently but one eye breaks, viz., the 

 topmost ; but this is not the general rule, for very 

 often, the two buds next to the centre, and even as 

 many as six, will strike root and push up shoots, so 

 that at the end of the season one can part them in- 

 to as many as have roots, and transplant them to 

 their intended quarters ; but you will be amply re- 

 paid for a year's patience, by a vast jncrease of 

 fibres and nice little stems. 



"If any of the bent in shoots force themselves 

 out by elasticity, they can easily be pressed in again ; 

 and, as a last recommendation, I would urge not 

 to lay the cuttings aside until you think you have 

 time to put them in, but let the soil receive them 

 directly, so that they may be in full vitality and 

 health when put in. 



