1853. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



475 



portant agricultural distinctions between the first 

 twelve or fifteen inches (the soil) the next fifteen 

 (the suhs(jil) and the remaining body of the mass, 

 which, lying still lower, docs not come under the 

 observation of the practical agriculturist. Thus 

 the character of the soil is that it contains more 

 brown organic, chiefly vegetable matter, in a state 

 of decay— of the subsoil, that the organic matter 

 ia less in quantity and has entered it chiefly in a 

 soluble state, and that earthy matters are present 

 in it which have been washed out of the superior 

 soil." So much for "A. Reader." j. 



Bridgewater, Vt., Aug. 23, 1853. 



Remarks. — We dislike long articles, and are well 

 satisfied that most of our readers do. The whole 

 of our correspondent's long communication is given 

 in deference to his wishes, but with the belief that 

 if it had been judiciously divided, it would have 

 hundreds of readers where now it will only find 

 tens. With one or two exceptions, no one has ex- 

 pressed a desire to see long articles in these col- 

 umns. 



For the Neiv England Farmer. 

 THE SEASON, &0., IN CANADA WEST. 



Mr. Brown: — In this section of the country a 

 very severe drought has pi'evailed during the sum- 

 mer. In the last three months there has not been 

 rain enough to wet potatoes in the hill, conse- 

 quently the crop will be small. There will also be 

 a light crop of corn and spring grain ; winter grain 

 is good. 



There will be a fair crop of apples, though not 

 so many as the last year. Pears are quite plenty ; 

 mostly native varieties, but many of them are of 

 good quality. One thing deserves to be noticed ; 

 the apple-worm, it is said, has never been found 

 here. Fruit is fair and sound, and one can eat it 

 without taking animal food with it. 



Cherry trees have for several years been infest- 

 ed with an insect resembling a snail. It is of a 

 dark green color, and feeds upon the tender por- 

 tion of the leaf. In a short time the foliage is 

 changed to a reddish-brown, the leaves resemble 

 small nets, and the fruit entirely fails, or does not 

 ripen well. They usually commence operations 

 soon after the fruit sets. They also attack currant 

 bushes. Please inform what this insect is-, and 

 what will prevent its ravages. 



A small ''blacJi hug'' did great damage to cab- 

 bage plants early in the season, and lately /ice are 

 troublesome. What will destroy them? Answers 

 may be of service next year. L. Yarney. 



Bloomfield, C.W., 8 Mo. 31s/, 1853. 



Seventy Swarms of Bees at War. — Ezra Dib 

 ble, a well known citizen of this town, and for 

 many years engaged extensively in the manage 

 ment of bees, communicates to us the following in 

 teresting particulars of a battle among his bees 



lie has seventy swarms of bees, about equally 

 divided on the east and west sides of his house. 

 On Sunday, August 14th, about 3 o'clock, the 

 weather being warm, and the windows open, his 

 house was suddenly filled with bees, which forced 

 the family to flee at once to the neighbors. !Mr. 

 D., after getting well protected against his assail- 

 ants, proceeded to take a survey, and, if possible. 



learn the cause which had disturbed them. The 

 seventy swarms appeared to be out, and those on 

 one side of the house were arrayed in battle 

 against those on the other side, and such a battle 

 was perhaps never before witnessed. 



They filled the air, covering a space of more than 

 one acre of ground, and fought desperately for 

 some three hours — not for " spoils," but for con- 

 quest ; and while at war no living thing could exist 

 in the vicinity. They stung a large flock of Shang- 

 hae chickens, nearly all of which died, and per- 

 sons passing along the roadside were obliged to 

 make haste to avoid their sting. A little after 

 six o'clock quiet was restored, and the living bees 

 returned to their hives, leaving the slain literally 

 covering the ground, since which few have ap- 

 peared around the hives, and those apparently 

 stationed as sentinels to watch the enemy. But 

 two young swarms were entirely destroyed, and 

 aside from the terrible slaughter of bees, little 

 other injury was done. Neither party was victo- 

 rious, and they only ceased on the approach of 

 night, and from utter prostration. The occasion 

 of this strange warring among the bees is not eas- 

 ily accounted for ; and those most conversant with 

 their management never before witnessed or heard 

 of such a spectacle as here narrated. — Conneaut 

 ( Ohio) Reporter. 



WINTER WHEAT. 



There should be no delay in getting in this im- 

 portant crop, where it has not already been done. 

 The Winter Blue Stem is a fine variety, and yields 

 well in any land which will produce a good corn 

 crop. The quantity of seed per acre may be va- 

 ried according to the condition of the land ; if in 

 fine "heart," a much less quantity will answer 

 than if the soil is thin and poor. We have just 

 secured a crop of Millet, where only eight quarts 

 of seed iper acre were sowed, although some of the 

 boots, and some of the farmers, recommended 

 sixteen quarts. On two acres, good judges esti- 

 mated that there were five tons of the dried crop. 

 What there would have been, if the larger amount 

 of seed had been sown, we can scarcely conjec- 

 ture. 



On good land we should not sow more than one 

 and a half bushels of wheat ; perhaps even less 

 than that. We hope ere long to see Drilling 

 Machines in use in getting in all our grain crops. 



Spare the Birds. — On no pretext whatever, 

 should farmers or gardeners permit their birds to 

 be disturbed. Instead of killingthem or frighten- 

 ing them away, they should make use of every 

 means in their power to induce them to increase 

 in number, and become more tame and familiar. 

 The worst of them earn twenty times what they 

 eat ; and then, what exquisite pleasure, to have 

 your garden, yard, orchard, or wood, alive and vo- 

 cal with the music of merry birds. Plant trees 

 for them, build houses if necessary for them, and 

 let no cat, dog, or boy ever molest them, and they 

 will teach you lessons of domestic bliss — preach 

 you sermons — and warble you such hymns as you 

 never heard elsewhere. Be kind to your birds. — 

 Ohio Farmer. 



