198 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER, 



Jan. 7, 1831. 



the fresh fuel beyond ; the proper practice it will 

 be observed is directly the reverse. 



Applying the cold fuel next the door, tends to 

 prevent the door from warping by the heat of the 

 fire. When not in use, all the external parts of a 

 furnace ought to be cleaned and oiled to prevent 

 rust. Apply your own hands to the handles in 

 openino- and shutting, and not the spade or shovel, 

 as is frequently practised, and very injurious. A 

 short spade and a short rake, wholly of iron, are 

 all the tools required for the garden furnace. 

 (Ptepared by the EdiCor of the New England Farmer.] 



FOR THE NEW ENGLAND FARMEB. 



THE MIDDLESEX REPORT ON FARMS. 



Mr Editor — I noticed in the New England 

 Fanner of last week, a communication signed ' A 

 Small Former,' complaining that no premium was 

 awarded to William Buckminster, Esq. of this place, 

 by the Middlese.x Committee on Farms. 



Mr B. may or may not have been concerned in 

 getting up that article, but as he is known to 

 commend it, it is of less consequence to settle that 

 question. The author of the article we will let 

 pass. If the article had been a fair criticism on 

 the Report, although the propriety of awarding a 

 premium on my farm is called in question, I should 

 not have troubled you or myself with this notice of 

 it. That the public may make proper allowance 

 for the scribbling of 'each ambitious candidate for a 

 premium,' I shall give you my real name. 



The ' Small Farmer ' takes the article of stock 

 as a criterion. Doubtless this is an important item 

 to be taken into consideration. It will always 

 happen, liowever, that though there are many facts 

 and circumstances which belong to all farms in a 

 greater or less degree, yet there are very many 

 others which belong only to a part ; the condition 

 of Several farms may be exceedingly unlike and 

 various in many particulars ; and it was strikingly 

 the case in the present instance. The many par- 

 ticulars stated in the Report, and probably many 

 others which it would have been tedious to enu- 

 merate, were doubtless considered by the Commit- 

 tee. 



But supposing the article of stock to be a suffi- 

 cient criterion by which to judge, there are two 

 facts, not contained in the Report, but well known 

 to Mr Buckminster, (whether made known to the 

 committee or the ' Small Farmer,' I will not say) 

 which, if taken into the estimate, would have given 

 different results. The first is that the ' four cows' 

 which are supposed to have been kept in the pasture 

 the past season, have enjoyed the principal benefit 

 of a vote of the town, restraining cattle from run- 

 ning at large. The other is, that the ' two horses ' 

 have been fed very plentifully with grain, most of 

 which was not laised on the farm. 



The article in question, however, does allude to 

 some other considerations, and as few will probably 

 take the trouble to compare with the Report, I 

 must give one sample of the ' Small Farmer's' 

 fairness. 



The Report is represented as stating that ' Capt. 

 Wheeler has purchased for nine years the whole ma- 

 nure of the largest stable in the county; he sells no 

 hay.' The reader would understand the nine years 

 last past, and that no hay had been sold during that 

 term. Now hear the Report. It states that in 

 1809, ' the farm had run to waste,' &c, that the 

 manure from the tavern was put on the farm^o 

 1810 to 1818 inclusive; that in 1819 the farm 

 ivaa in a. good state of cultivation, and produced 



abundantly ; that since that time all the manure 

 has been made on the farm ; no hay has been sold 

 for four or Jive years last past. Mr Editor, I have 

 done. ' I hope, Sir,' you ' will not despise ' the 

 ' Small Farmer.' 



Respectfully, yours, 



ABNER WHEELER. 

 Framingham, January 4, 1831. 



arranged the following report of Brighton Marke 

 for the year 1830. The slight degree of hostility 

 exhibited on the first appearance of our reports 

 has given way to a more just and liberal keUug 

 ajid it is now acknowledged that they have exer 

 cised a favorable influence on the market, am 

 tended to increase its importance and usefulness 

 These reports, given we believe with the utmos 

 impartiality, furnish to the fanner, the drover am 

 the grazier, similar information to what the mer 

 chant and manufacturer derive from Prices Cur 

 rent ; and he goes on to buy or sell, with a degrei 

 of confidence otherwise unattainable. Befor 

 our reports were made, there would be at on> 

 time a glut, at another a scarcity; and the grazie 

 who had heard of high prices, would send a largi 

 number of cattle to market, which would mee 

 others j)ressing from all quarters, and be obligei 

 to sell at a loss ; while the report of a glut vvouli 

 cause him to retain his cattle, when they migb 

 bring a fair price. 



First Quarter, ending March 30. 



4863 Beef CatUe, estimated sales, $176,009 7 



922 Stoies, '• " 11,064 



11734 Sheep, " " 26,401 5 



2301 Swine, " " 9,204 



The above is a drawing of an improved harrow, 

 which we have noticed on the well conducted 

 farm of Capt. Daniel Chandler, of Lexington. 

 It is made of two parts, joined together by hinges 

 on the two straight centre pieces, so that one part 

 can be raised and swung over on to the other half, 

 as occasion requires. Its advantages over the 

 connnon sort are, that it is less liable to be stopped, 

 or rendered less effective by stones, stumps, or 

 other obstacles; as one side may be elevated, or 

 turned to a perpendicular po.'-ition, while the other 

 side is jiroceeding horizontally ; and it may be 

 drawn nearer to large rocks, plants, fruit trees, &c, 

 than the common harrow, without risk of injuring 

 them. It will, likewise, better adapt itself to 

 ridges and hollows, as will be evident on inspection. 



One of the above harrows can be seen at the 

 Agricultural Warehouse in this city. — We had 

 taken some further note-, some time since, respect- 

 ing the judicious management on the farm of 

 Capt. Chandler, but at his suggestion, have deferred 

 the publication of them, till he has completed 

 some contemplated improvements. 



Brighton Markkt — Monday, Jan. 3. 



At Market this day, 724 Cattle, about 70 of which 

 were Stoies, 1202 Sheep, and 80 Swme. 



Prices. — We had anticipatua a con-iderable rise in the 

 market today, but were disappointed. Cattle, liowever, 

 were a little quicker, and a small advance wasetfecled on 

 some qualities. We shall only vary our quotations a trifle 

 from last week, as they were then rather high. 



Beef Cattle— From 3,25 to 4,50; a few yokes were 

 taken at 4,75, and one or two for $5. 



Barrelling Cattle — We quote Mess, 3,50, and No. 1 

 $3. Some lots hi'ought a little more. $3,67 was asWed 

 lor one lot of Mess, sale not effected. 



Sheep—Vie noticed a beautiful lot cf about 400 weth- 

 ers from Randolph, Vt. most ol which were sold at .f 4 a 

 4,25 ; we also noticed lots sold at 2,75, 2,25, 2,00 and 1 ,88 ; 

 soi»e ordinary were sold, prices not noticed. 



Swine — Few sales only effected. 



At the request of several gentlemen we have 



$222,679 2. 

 Second Quarter, ending June 30. 

 3005 Beef Cattle, estimated sales, $102,170 



344 Stores, " " 6,880 



5090 Sheep, " " 9,531 6 



2167 Swine, " " 8,668 



$127,249 6 

 Third Quarta', ending September 27. 

 5254 Beef Cattle, estimated s.iles, $157,620 



4820 Stores, " " 53,020 C 



45367 Sheep, " " - 68,050 £ 



5202 Swine, ■' " 18,207 ( 



5296,897 £ 

 Fourth Quarter, ending December 27. 

 24645 Beef CatUe, estimated sales, $542,190 C 



7600 Stores, " " 83,600 ( 



70506 Sheep, " " 111,634 £ 



9969 Swine, " " 34,891 I 



$772,316 ( 



RECAPITULATION. 



Beef Cattle, 37,767 Sales, $977,989 75 



Stores, 13,685 " 154;564 00 



Sheep, 132,697 " 215,618 17 



Swine, 19,639 " 70,970 50 



Whole No. 203,789 $1,419,142 42 



The above is g.ithered from our weekly report! 

 and may he considered nearly correct as to iiura 

 bers, but as to sales we may have erred. It i 

 however not exaggerated. In the last quarter c 

 the weekly reports the Beef Cattle have not bee 

 divided from the Stores, but we have come to 

 division, as near as we could, from ourjudgmen 

 at the time. 



In 1828, ten weeks frotii Sept. 29, (which ajw 

 all the minutes of that year we are in possessio 

 of) 21,546 Cattle, 39,8.31 Sheep and 7127 Swim; 

 In 1829', ten weeks from Sept. 28, 21,271 Cattlt 

 31,611 Sheep and 8,.524 Swine. In 1S30, tei 

 weeks from Oct. 4, 29,549 Cattle. 60,179 Shec 

 and 7897 Swine. In 1<829, six months from Jul 

 6, 31,479 Cattle, 81,602 .Sheep and 11,702 Swine 

 —In 1830, six months from July 7,42,319 Cattle 

 115,863 Sheep and 15,171 Swine. 



More Cattle, Sheep and Swine were probabh 

 driven the past year to this market, than were ere 

 before in one year. The Beef Cattle, in partictt' 

 lai;, have been, through the fall season, of an un 

 commonly good quality. — Bost. Pat. 



