THE GENESEE FARMER. 



35T 



The Rueal Annual and Horticultural Directory 

 for 1H59 will be issued in a few days. It abounds in mat- 

 ter interesting to every farmer and horticulturist. We 

 think it the best number of the series yet published. To 

 those acquainted with the previous numbers of the work, 

 it will be unnecessary to say more. The favor with which 

 the previous volumes were received, wai-rant us in anti- 

 cipating a large circulation for the present number. It 

 will be sent prepaid to any address for 25 cents, in post- 

 age stamps. 



Agricultural Implements in England. — The rapid 

 progress of agricultural implements in England is well 

 exemplified by the annual increase in the number of im- 

 plements and machines exhibited at the Fairs of the Royal 

 Agricultural Society. At the exhibition held in Oxford, 

 in lb49, there were 23 entries of implements, all told ; in 

 1840, at Cambridge, 8G; in 1841, at Liverpool, 312; the 

 next year, 455; and so they increased, till, in 1847, there 

 were 1321 entries; in 1853, 1802 ; and this year, at Ches- 

 ter, there were 3288 ! 



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To OCR Agents. — If any of our ft-iends have not received 

 the Rural Annual for getting up a club for the Farmer, 

 we hope they will inform us, and it shall be forwarded 

 immediately. Mistakes frequently occur, which are very 

 annoying to our readers. These are sometimes our fault 

 and not unfrequently the fault of the I'ost OfBce Depart- 

 ment. We are, however, always willing to send papers 

 or books over again, without charge. 



Some of the fruits exhibited at the California State Fair 

 were extraordinary. Among them were a pear weighing 

 four pounds, a bunch of grapes weighing fourteen pounds, 

 an apple weighing two pounds three ounces, a peach 

 .measuring twelve and one-half, and a strawberry six and 

 one half inches in circumference. 



To ouE Friends Everywhere. — We will gladly send 



specimen copies of the Geri-cste Farmer, and handsome 



show bills for 1859, to any of our friends who are disposed 



to act as agents Ln procuring subscribers. 

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Tie Irish JPotato. 



How sweet to the taste Is the Irish potato, 



As memory awakens a thought of the plant ; 

 Its dark verdant vine-top and beautiful blossom, 



In pleasing transition my memory haunt. 

 Aye! thought of the root in profusion once growing 



On the broad sunny hill slope adjoining the mill ; 

 At the homestead, how many we raised there's no knowing, 



Por some were but foiuiU o/i-cs and Jew in Uoe kill. 

 The me^ly potato, the Irish potato, 

 The thin-skinned potato that grew on the hill. 



That delectable plant I would praise while Tm able; 



For ofU'a, at noon, when returned from the field, 

 I found it superior to all on the table. 



The beet flavored edible nature could yield. 

 With what eager appetite, sharftened by labor, 



I pUe<l knife and fork with a hearty gomi will. 

 Alas! there are none i^f the old-fashioned flavor — 



None like the " real Simons" that grew on the hiU. 

 The mealy potato, the Irish potato, 

 The thin-skinned potato that grew on the hill. 



ilow prime from the fuU-heapcn dish to receive it, 



As poised on my fork it ascends to my mouth ; 

 No appeal to the palate could tempt me to leave it, 



Though affrc'ted by "rot" or a long summer's drouth. 

 And n(>w, far removed from that loved situation, 

 Wh&re I used to partake of the root to my fill, 

 Fancy fain would revert to my father's nlantation, 

 And sigh for the " kidneys'' that grew on the hiU. 

 The mealy potato, the Irish potato, 

 The thin-sKuaneu potato that grew oti ti;e hill. 

 —^eic York Spirit. 



Pears. — We arc indebted to Mr. Isaac Merritt, Pen- 

 field, N. Y., for some fine specimens of SJiddon, Beurre 

 I)iel, DucJuss (T Angouleme, Louise Bonne (P Jersey, and 

 other peai's. 



Snow-BirLS.— Those of our fiiends to whom we send 

 show-bills, will greatly oblige us by posting them in some 



conspicuous place. 



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Inqniries and Answers. 



Are Hedges Economical'? — What is Best? — Would the 

 cultivation of hedges for fence be a matter of economy in 

 Central New York'? If so, what kind are best adapted to 

 its soil and climate '? What circumstances are necessary 

 to ensure success V You say the Osage orange " does not 

 succeed in the shade or on wet giound ;" does it require 

 better conditions of soil than the apple ? Replies are 

 respectfully solicited. Wm. Hanford, Jr. — Elyria, Tomp- 

 kins Co., N. Y. 



The matter of economy will depend upon the abund- 

 ance of material for fence with which the farm is sup- 

 supplied. Good stone walls, and even rail, and post and 

 board fences, are not very expensive when the material is 

 on the land, or can be purchased at a moderate price. If 

 fencing material is expensive, we think it will pay to 

 raise hedges. They will grow, under favorable circum- 

 stances, so as to give the protection of an ordinary farm 

 fence. The Osage orange, as far as we are advised, is tne 

 only thing that gives promise of success. We have yet 

 to learn of a decided failure where the requisite attention 

 has been bestowed upon the hedge. Good cultivation, 

 with thorough systematic pruning, persevered in, will, in 

 most if not all cases, ensure success. We should have no 

 hesitation in setting a hedge on any land where we should 

 think it proper to plant an apple orchai'd. A surplus of 

 water, particularly where it would stand on or in the soil 

 until evaporated by the warmth of the season, would be 

 injurious if not fatal to the hedge, and probably to the 

 orchard. 



Native Sheep.— (M. S.) There is, properly speaking, 

 no such race of sheep as " native" in the United States. 

 The term is usually applied to the common coarse-wooled 

 sheep of the country found here previous to the introduc- 

 tion of the improved breeds. Many sheep were brought 

 here at an early day, from different parts of England — 

 probably all the old breeds of British sheep were repre- 

 sented. Edward Randolph, writing in 1C76, speaks of 

 New England as "abounding in sheep." The Dutch emi- 

 grants who colonized New York, introduced at au early 

 date, the common sheep of Holland. Emigrants from 

 other European countries likewise brought sheep with 

 them. They, together with the Holland and British 

 breeds, in the process of lime, were ciossed and re-crossed 

 till what is termed the " native " bi'eed was formed. 

 Since the introduction of the modern improved breeds, 

 the "native" sheep have been so universally crossed 

 with them, that they are now nowhere to be found as a 

 distinct breed. We suppose the term "native" is now 

 applied to sheep that are not known to be crossed with 

 any distinct breed. 



British Agricultural Colleges. — (Walter Weston, 

 Snachwins, 111.) Write to the President of the Royal 

 Agricultural College at Cirencester' England, or to Prof. 

 Wilson, Professor of Agriculture in the Edinburgh Uni- 

 versity. These are the two best agricultural institutions 

 in Great Britain. 



