1850. 



THE GENESEE FARMER. 



245 



(Sbitor's ©able. 



Tun NUMBERS MORE will Complete the present volume of 

 the Farmer. Those who hnve read our monthly visitor with 

 pleasure and profit — those who have expressed their indebt- 

 edness to us for valuable information — for improved crop.s 

 and profits — have now an opportunity to pay that debt, by 

 a iiitlo exertion among their neighbors to increase our circu- 

 lation in ihcir respective localities. It is on the eflbrls of 

 our friends we depend for increased circulation and useful- 

 ness. We have no paid agents, and intend to have none. 

 There are some towns in wliich we have three or four hun- 

 dred subscribers, obtained and forwarded by one or two in- 

 dividuals in each place; there are other towns where we 

 should have as many, yet, becau.se no person took the re- 

 sponsibility of urging the matter upon the attention farmers, 

 we have few or none. We ask all who feel an interest in 

 the Gknesee Farmer, and are willing to aid in its circu- 

 lation, to appoint themselves agents, show the paper to their 

 neighbors, and obtain and forward subscriptions for the next 

 volume. Any persons losing or damaging numbers in this 

 way we will willingly supply with others. W^e can furnish 

 all the numbers of the present volume to those who may 

 wish them. 



Large Yield of Wheat. — We have noticed somewhat 

 of a discussion between the Macombe (Mich.) Gazette, and 

 the Rochester Democrat, in regard to a large yield of wheat — 

 the former stating that Ira Philips, of Armada, Michigan, 

 raised one hu7idred and (weiity-foiir bushels on two acres ; and 

 the latter thinking it loo large a story to believe. Perhaps we 

 can lessen the improbability of this yield of w^heat, by telling 

 a story of our own. Romanta Hart, of Brighton, in this 

 county, says that a field of twelve acres which he harvested 

 this fall, averaged 50 bushels to the acre. On three acres, 

 and what he considered the poorest piece of tlie field, the 

 yield, carefully and accurately measured, was over sLvii/ 

 bushels to the acre. This tliree acres being the lightest and 

 poorest of the field, Mr. H. liberally manured it with hme and 

 ashes, and the consequence was, it proved the best. Previ- 

 ous to sowing the wheat, a fine growth of clover was turned 

 under. Mr. Hart intends to try for the State premium. We 

 shall endeavor to obtain a full statement of culture of this 

 crop for the next number. 



While at Albany, at the State Fair, we had the pleasure 

 of visiting the Agricultural Works of Wheeler, Memck, & 

 Co., where are made Wheeler's Railroad Horse Powers and 

 Threshers. Mr. W. informed us that he regularly employs 

 about eighty men in making his machine, aud that lie is 

 hardly able to fill orders as fast as they are received. Mr. 

 Wheeler passed through this city on his way to the Pro- 

 vincial Fair, with a very superior machine. We can recom- 

 mend these Threshing Machines to the favorable notice of 

 our Canadian readers. 



The space occupied by matters connected with the State 

 Fair compels us to omit many things which should have re- 

 ceived attention in this number. 



Be particular in saving good seed. If you have onything 

 growing on your farm particularly fine, save the seed, and 

 plant it next year. Vou will soon see the benefit of this 

 course. 



CIRCULAR FROM THE PATENT OFFICE. 



We have received a Circular from the Commissioner of 

 Patents, soliciting information on the following, and any 

 other points connected with agriculture. Farmers would be 

 doing a public service by furnishing the desired information. 

 Wheat. — Varieties in use — average product per acre — 

 time of seeding and of harvesting — preparation of seed, and 

 quantity used per acre — how many times and how deep do 

 you plow — is the yeild per acre increasing or diminishing — 

 your system of rotation in crops — best remedies for Hessian 

 flies and weevils — average price at your nearest market in 

 1850, 



Corn.— The most esteemed varieties — average product per 

 acre — cost of production per bushel — state the best system of 

 culture — best method of feeding, whether whole or ground, 

 cooked or raw; state, if y. 'jcan, how much grain the manure 

 formed by ten or twenty bushels of corn consumed by hogs 

 will add to an acre, if carefully saved and skilfully applied, 

 at or before the time of planting. 



Oats, Barley, Rye, Peas and Beans. — Average yield 

 of these several crops per acre — quantity of seed used — which 

 crop least exhausting to land — are peas cultivated as a reno- 

 vating crop, and if so, with what succes? 



Clover and Grasses. — Quantity of hny cut per acre — 

 best fertilizers for meadows and pastures — the grass seeds 

 preferred in laying down meadows— quantity sown per acre 

 — cost of growing hay per ton. 



Dairy Husbandry. — Average yearly produce of butter or 

 cheese per cow — comparative cost per lb. of making butter 

 and cheese — treatment of milk and cream — mode of churning 

 — of putting down butter for market — average price of butter 

 and of cheese. 



Neat Cattle. — Cost of rearing till 3 years old — usual 

 price at that age — value of good dairy cows in spring and in 

 fall — how many pounds of beef will 100 lbs. of corn produce 

 — will a given amount of food yield more meat in a Durham, 

 Devon, or Hereford, than in a native animal? 



Sheep and Wool. — Is wool-growing profitable — cost per 

 lb. of growing coarse or fine wool — how many pounds of w ool 

 will a Ion of hay produce — are large or small sheep more 

 profitable either for mutton or for their fleeces — how much 

 more does it cost lo produce a pound of fine Merino than of 

 ordinary coarse wool — the proportion of Inmbs aiinually 

 reared to the number of ewes. 



Hogs. — What the best breeds — the cheapest method of pro- 

 ducing pork and bacon — how many lbs. of meat will 100 lbs. 

 of corn yield — the best method of putting up pork, and 

 curing bacon and haras. 



Cotton. — Average yeild of clean cotton per acre — cost of 

 production per lb. — what crops best grown in rotation with 

 cotton — be.st preventives against rust, army and boll worms 

 — how deep do you usually plow for this crop ; have you any 

 experience in subsoiiing or deep lillnge for cotton — your ex- 

 perience in the use of cotton seed as a fertilizer — how can cot- 

 ton lani^s best be improved witliout resting them. 



Sugar Cane. — Is the cane losing its vital force and be- 

 coming more subject to premature decay than formerly — 

 should not the seeds in place of ratoons be occnsionally plant- 

 ed to |)roduce new and healthier varieties — can you suggest 

 any improvement in cultivation of the cane, cr the manufact- 

 ure of sugar — cost of producing sugar per lb. 



Rice. — Can rice be successfully cultivated on upland — do 

 you know of any varieties decidedly superior toothers which 

 deserve increased attention— can you suggest ony improve- 

 ment in the management of rice plantations ? 



Tobacco. — Average yield per acre — cost of production per 

 cwt. or hhd. — ^describe any new process of cultivation or 

 curing — crops best grown in rotation to maintain the fertility 

 of tobocco land. 



Hemp. — Is the culture of hemp on the increase ordecrcase 

 — describe any new process of culture or preparation for mar- 

 ket — average yield per acre — cost of production per lb. 



Root Crops. {Tinitips. Carmfs. Bee/s,LS'c.) — Is the culli^ 

 vation of these roots, as a field cmp, on the increase — can 

 you suggest any improvement in preparing land, seeding, 

 after tillage and feeding — average product per acre. 



Potatoes, (Irish aud street. J — Average yield per acre — 

 cost of production per bushel — most prolific and profitable 

 varieties — best system of planting, tillage, and manuring. 



Fruit Culture. — Is the culture of fruit receiving increas- 

 ed attention — cannot apples enough be grown on an acre to 

 render the crop a very profitable one to the farmer — compar- 

 ative value of apples and potatoes for feeding hogs and cattle 

 — what varieties best to keep for winter use and for exptjr- 

 lation — do you know any preventive or remedy for the 

 •*blight" on pear and apple trees, "yellows"on peach trees — 

 the best method of transplanting, budding, grafting, &:c. — 

 IMake any suggestions on the culture of Ornpes, anti other 

 fruit — the manufacture of H'ine, tfcc. 



Manure. — What is regarded as the best plan of making 

 and preserving manures from waste — are Lime and Plaster 

 used as fertilizers — if so, in what quantity, and how often 

 applied — is Guano used, and with what success — quontity 

 usually applied per acre. 



Meteorology. — Time aud degree of highest and lowest 

 range of thermometer — mean temperature oifeach month and 

 of the year — fall of rain in each month, and aggregate for the 

 year. 



Note. — Please forward replies as early as convenient — if 

 possible, before the 1st of January— giving the name, post 

 ofiice, county and State. A copy of the Report will, when 

 printed, be mailed to each address. 



All communications will be duly acknowledged in the 

 Report. 



