854 



TllE GENESEE FARMER. 



Premiums for Short Eseays. 



We offer a prize of a dollar book for the best essay on 

 each of the following subjects. The essays must not 

 occupy more than a page of the Farmer each (say six 

 pages of foolscap). They must be sent in by the 25th of 

 December. The essays will be submitted to competent 

 judges, and those deemed the best will be published in 

 the February number. 



Will not our readers write out their views freely on 

 these subjects ? Our jjrevrous offers of prizes for essays 

 on given subjects, have elicited much valuable informa- 

 tion. The prize is small ; but our friends do not write for 

 pay, but in hopes of imparting useful information. The 

 subjects have been suggested by various correspondents, 

 and we are sure the essays will be read with much inter- 

 est. We do not expect an elaboiate and finished style of 

 composition — we want facts, practical ideas, and the sug- 

 gestions of observing, thinking men. We have thousands 

 of readers who can furnish these. Let us hear from them. 

 Let no one think he can not write for the public — write as 

 though you were writing a letter to a friend who had 

 asked for information on one of these subjects, and you 

 will write well. 



The following are the subjects sent in : 



Agricultural, &c. — How can we best increase the early 

 flowering and ripening of winter wheat ? Should the seed 

 be obtained from a more southern or a more northern 

 latitude? 



How to farm profitably on .50 acres of land — sho-wing 

 the proper rotation of crops, manures, implements, build- 

 ings, and stock, confined principally to common crops — 

 not gardening nor fruit raising? 



On raising and marketing the basket willow, stating the 

 best kinds for general cultivation, the soil most suitable, 

 and the profits one may expect to realize. 



What particular breed of cattle have generally proved 

 most reliable and ])rofitable fur dairy purposes? Or are 

 grades or natives best adapted for this purpose? 



Is it best to sow timothy, or herds-grass, by itself, or 

 with other crops ? And what is the best method of cul- 

 tivation ? 



On the best method of cultivating and feeding out 

 vetches or tares, and can they be profitably grown in this 

 climate ? 



On the habits and locale of the chinch-bug. and the best 

 means of destroying it, or preventing its ravages. 



Would not a wagon with a tire four or five inches wide, 

 be better for farm purposes than the one now in use? 



How much timber land should be reserved on a 50, 75, 

 or 100 acre farm for farm use? 



On the necessity of a regular and abundant supply of 

 water for stock at all seasons. 



What are the best substitutes for hay, in feeding horses, 

 cattle, and sheep, in winter? 



Would it be more profitable for farmers to raise rye, 

 instead of oats, for feeding? 



Would it be profitable to raise sweet apples for feeding 

 to cattle or swine? 



On the recreations and amusements for farmers and 

 tbeir families. 



What is the cause of, and best remedy for, white specks 

 in butter? 



Is it best to hill corn, or not? 



.■""' 



The best method of hunting wild bees, with the 

 used, &c. 



Best mode of raising onions, and the best kinds 

 market. 



Can the keeping of bees on a large scale be made ] 

 itable? 



Is it better to feed cattle two or three times 

 winter? 



Best mode of raising carrots, and their value for 81 B 



On the best breed or breeds of hogs for general purp( 



What is the cause of, and best remedy for, hog chol 



On the value of marsh hay — Will it pay to secure it, 



Large or small farms — Which are the most j)rofita 



Can sheep be profit.ably fattened in winter, and ho\> 



On the best method of raising and fattening hugs. 



On buildings suitable to a large and small farm. 



Is it best to tie up cattle when fattening ? 



How deep should we plow ? 



IIouTiciLTURAL. — What are the best six varietie: 

 pears most valuable for the market, or general cultivat 

 also six varieties of apples for like purpose; naming 

 varieties of pear and apple in the order in which • 

 should stand for their respective merit ; and which Vi 

 ties of the pear enumerated are best adapted for the p 

 and which for the :quince root ? 



If apple trees are set aroimd a farm, instead of 

 compact body, would they not be more productive 

 account of air, light, heat, &c. ? Would the plan of set' 

 around the farm, everything being equal, be advisable 



What exposure is best for the pear; also for the ap] 

 Best time for setting trees — fall or spring ? What wc 

 the cost be for setting each tree ? 



On the best treatment of dwarf pear trees, which v 

 set out a few years ago, and have been neglected. 



On the best trees for vc country cemetery — planti 

 management, <fec. 



What is the cause of, and best remedy for, the p 

 blight? 



On the best method of renovating old apple orchai 



Trenching — its advantages, depth, best method, oost, 



On the cultivation of i)eaches. 



PiiKMiuMS FOR THE Half Volume. — In another colu 

 will be found the names of the successful competitors 

 the largest clubs for the half volume. They are lar 

 than we expected, but, nevertheless, we think many 

 our friends will find themselves entitled to a preini 

 who had no idea of obtaining one. The fact is, our friei 

 are so disinterested in their efforts to increase the cir 

 hition of the farmer that it is diflficnlt to get them 

 compete for a premium. On the other hand, we d'csirc 

 compensate them as far as possible for their labors on ( 

 Itehalf, and shall continue to offer and pai/ premiums 

 long as we have friends who are willing to act as age: 

 in getting subscribers. 



OiTR Premiums for Next Year. — On the last page 

 this number will be found a List of Cash Premiums i 

 the greatest number of subscribers sent in by the fifteei 

 of January. There are twenty-one premiums, amounti 

 to $235. Read our offer on the last page, and then i 

 what you can do for us. Now is the time to get new si 

 scribers for next year. So few compete for these premijjii 

 that any one can take the highest prize bj a little effort. 



