72 



SILK M AN UA L , AND 



This farm extends from the bank of the river 

 one mile, embracing in one rectangular plat 160 

 acres of lov^l bottom land. I was shown first a 

 field (25 acres) of Indian corn. This was under- 

 going the first dressing with the corn harrow and 

 awaited the second and third dressing by the im- 

 lilenieut called the cultivator — the hoe not being 

 used at all. Sixty bushels to the acre is the ordi- 

 nary yield. Adjoining this was a field of 25 acres 

 of oats, in excellent condition and promise. I was 

 next shown a field of about the same quantity of 

 ■wheat, of the species blue stem and white flint. 

 Thirty bushels is an average yield to the acre for 

 wheat on this land. This crop was suffering from 

 the Hessian fly. On examining several stems I 

 found, near the groand and imbedded beneath the 

 outer sheath, from one to five of the flies in the 

 chrysalis state. The effect of this is to weaken 

 the plant and cause it to fall down, perhaps to 

 break oflf and die. After the fly is hatched it 

 does no injury to the wheat. This fly is doing 

 great injury to the wheat in this region. Let me 

 suggest to the bug-catchers to devote more atten- 

 tion to the whole natural history of insects, espe- 

 cially pernicious ones. The man who will devel- 

 ope the changes and periods, and habits of the 

 Hessian fly, the cut worm, &c. with a view to 

 remedies for their ravages, will do the state more 

 service than the barren exhibition of fifty cabinets 

 of insects with ])ins stuck through their backs. 

 The cut worm is also making great ravages vvith 

 the corn. My agricultural friend says that in his 

 experience, he bus found deep and thorough 

 ploughing the most effectual remedy. The worm 

 or its eggs, lying near the surface, if the soil is 

 turned but slightly, the insect is soon warmed by 

 the sun's influence, and awakes to life just in sea- 

 son to cut the dorn in its tenderest state. In the 

 other case, it does not emerge till the corn is out 

 of its power. He has detected two species of equal 

 numbers, a large and a small. Both are indiffer- 

 ent as to what they eat, — they eat the first thing 

 they come at whether corn or wormwood. 



My friend next shewed me a pasture of 25 acres, 

 in which were twenty head of cattle, mostly cows 

 of the Durham Short Horned and Devonshire 

 breed. These were in so good case, so sleek, and 

 so well favored, that to one who the past winter, 

 hail lived in the region of scarcity, it was truly a 

 relief to the eye. The animals seemed to have an 

 instinct of their good case and the source of it for 

 they came around their master like so many dogs ; 

 one pulled his handkerchief from his pocket, oth- 

 ers sought his hands and face with their gross 

 tongues. Foremost among them was the bull de- 

 nominated Jack Downing, three years old, weigh- 

 ing already twelve hundred pounds, and giving 

 promise of celebrity perhaps equal to his name- 

 sake. 



Mr B. stated that he usually cut sixty tons of 

 hay, and was in most successful use of the patent 

 revolving horse rake. With a horse and i)oy he 

 does the work of six men with the common rake 

 or from two to three acres per hour. He says, 

 that to adapt the riike to rough ground, it is only 

 necessary to make the rake shorter — say six feet 

 instead often. He deplores the dilatoriness o^his 

 fellow farmers in seizing hold of the improvements 

 in utensils, in modes of cultivation, and in the read- 

 ing of agricultural papers. 



All the land of this farm is now worth $100 per 

 acre. The average net profit of the whole may 

 be estimated at $10 per acre. Prices for two 

 months past as follows : wheat $1,25 ; corn 75cts. ; 

 oats 50 cts. ; hay $10 ; flour $6 25. The pros- 

 pect for crops of grain in the country generally 

 the ensuing season, is poor, and high pj ices are 

 anticipated. Crops iri this vtilley are better than 

 in other parts. I find the severity of winter before 

 last, made great havoc among trees in this region. 

 Peach trees nearly all destroyed — plums, a gi-eat 

 many — also cherries and pears, together with 

 some forest trees. I left the premises of this 

 plain, unpretending, but successful farmer, with 

 as much satisfaction as I should a model farm of 

 high scientific character ; inasmuch as the former 

 is the realization of the latter — its ultimate aim 

 and result. 



Silk Culture in Kentucky. — Extract of a 

 etter from one of our subscribers in Danville, 

 Kentucky : 



" T, as well as many others in our state, are en- 

 gaging in the culture of silk. Some silk has been 

 raised in our state for 12 or 14 years, from the na- 

 tive mulberry, which is very abundant, and makes 

 silk of good quality. I have from 25 to 30,(00 

 plants of the white mulberry growing from the 

 seed sown last s[)ring. They, are very flourishing, 

 and I have no doubt but will do well in our cli- 

 mate. I shall procure a few thousand of the Mo- 

 rus multicaulis this fall and next spring, and ex 

 tend my native mulberries to several thousands 

 believing, from some little experience and obsei-- 

 vation, that as good silk can and has been made 

 rom that tree as we ordinarily see in the market. 

 I shall feed from 4 to 600,000 worms next year on 

 he native mulberry, which is the best evidence I 

 can give of my confidence of its answering every 

 purpose, and making silk of good quality." — Gen- 

 Farmer. 



More than a Burster ! — Mr J. A. Morton of 

 Hadley just sheai-ed from a Merino Buck, eight 

 pounds and two ounces of fine wool ! Who can 

 go ahead of Squire Morton.' — JVorthampton Cou- 

 rier. 



