NEW ENGLAND FARxMER. 



403 



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BAKER'S PATENT FARM GATE. 



The lower cut represents two gates used to close 

 one passage. That on the right is closed ; that on the 

 left is about half way open. The length of each 

 gate is about equal to the width of the passage way, 

 and when closed, one half of the gates form the 

 fence adjoining the passage. This construction 

 makes the gates self-balancing : they run on rollers, 

 and are well balanced whether shut or open : they 

 are managed with the greatest ease. Instead of two 

 gates to close one passage, one may be made, for that 

 purpose, twice as long as the width of the passage 

 way, and it will also form a length of fence. 



The upper cut represents a gate operating in the 

 same manner, excepting, as it runs back, it ascends ; 

 and it descends and closes by its own weight, so that 

 there is no danger of its being left open by neglect, 

 or of its being opened by animals. This gate is ad- 

 mirably adapted to front yards, as it is neat and con- 

 venient ; and the manner of opening it, and its self- 

 closing quality, give all the advantages that can be 

 expected from any construction. 



The self-balancing power in these gates is an im- 

 portant property, and their convenience, durability, 

 simplicity of construction, and cheapness, are appar- 

 ent to every observer wlio inspects the illustrations. 



At the New York State Fair, and the Oneida Coun- 

 ty Fair, premiums were awarded for these gates. 

 Any desired information may be obtained by ad- 

 dressing David H. Lines, Springfield, Mass., who is 

 the authorized agent for New England. 



For the New England Farmer. 



CORN FOR FODDER. 



Mb. Editor : In travelling, this fall, through a 

 aeighboring town, I saw, for the first time in my 

 life, a field of four and a half acres of corn, which, to 

 appearance, was sown broadcast, like rye and oats. 

 The corn was of vigorous growth ; with very small 

 ears ; very cle.ar from weeds, as much so as if it had 

 been hoed ; and yet it was so thick that a man could 

 with difficulty walk through it. The owner being 

 away from home at the time, I could find out but 

 little concerning the corn, excepting I learned from 



his hired boy that it was intended for fodder ; and 

 not having seen the owner since that time, I send 

 you this communication, to inquire of you or of some 

 of your correspondents (for I understand, in Eastern 

 Massachusetts, it is no uncommon thing to see a 

 field of sown corn) how the ground should be pre- 

 pared and manured ; at what time of the season it 

 should be sown ; how many bushels to the acre 

 should be sown ; what kind of corn is best for the 

 purpose ; and such other direction for the culture 

 and management, as should suggest itself to the 

 writer. As the white worms have eaten the grass 

 lands in this region very much, for a number of 

 months past, which, with the drought last summer, 

 has tended to diminish the usual quantity of grass 

 and hay the past season, and in all probability will 

 the coming season, it is of importance to the farmer 

 who has a large stock of cattle to fatten or winter, 

 to know if a substitute for a light crop of hay can be 

 provided from the means at his disposal, at a time 

 when there is a prospect of a light crop. 



CHARLES B. AYER. 

 Pkeston, Ct., Nov. 23, 1849. 



Editorial Remarks. — It is very common for 

 farmers in this section to raise corn to feed out green 

 to cattle, to supply a deficiency in feed from short 

 pastures, which usually fail on old lands the latter 

 part of the summer ; and sometimes there is almost 

 a total failure of feed from severe drought. 



Whether used green or dry, there is no kind of 

 grain or grass that will yield so much food as corn ; 

 and it is very easUy raised. Corn flourishes well on 

 land in tolerably good condition, and yields a profit- 

 able crop. Some farmers in New England have 

 raised forty tons of green food to the acre ; but this is 

 a great crop. We have heard of far greater stories, 

 which we do not credit. 



An account has been published of a farmer raising 

 thirty tons of grcun food to the acre in this vicinity, 

 and of its making twelve tons of dry fodder. Now, 

 we believe the first part of this statement, as it is 

 reasonable ; but thirty tons of green stalks will not 

 make twelve tons of dry fodder ; probably not more 

 than six tons. 



Land in suitable condition to produce fifty bushels 

 of corn to the acre, will probably yield about six 



