1860. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



73 



suits from the facts they observe, is the value of 

 their opiuions, whether they are soft-handed or 

 hard. The farmers in Massachusetts are more in- 

 debted than they are aware, to the efforts of the 

 preachers, doctors, lawyers and commercial men, 

 for all the improvements in agriculture, and for 

 the development of the agricultural capacities of 

 the State. This might bo abundantly proved by 

 a sketch of the history of agriculture in this 

 State. But I have akeady occupied too much of 

 your space, and must bid you adieu. ii. s. 



For the New England Farmer. 



"COSTS MORE THAN IT COMES TO." 



This phrase has much meaning in it, and is worthy 

 of being borne in mind in most enterprises. In 

 none more than in the labors of the farm. 



We see persons expending large sums in clear- 

 ing stones, building walls, filling quagmires, lev- 

 eling J^nolls, &c. &c., without once computing 

 how the account is to be balanced. We hear of pre- 

 miums offered for the largest products upon an 

 acre, without regard to the use of means by which 

 they are produced. All such enterprises are vis- 

 ionary and discreditable. The only sure mode of 

 proceeding is to contemplate the end from the be- 

 ginning ; and to take into view, as far as practi- 

 cable, all intervening incidents. 



Fancy farmers may derive benefit from these 

 considerations. Those who drive fast horses, or 

 magnify their oxen beyond reason, will find in the 

 end, it Mould have been better to count the cost 

 before they started. The same may be said of 

 those who attempt to force all their products out 

 of a single acre. I have often doubted Avhcther 

 the attempts of those, who look upon themselves 

 as the guides of others, were not mistaken in 

 these matters. Instance, when premiums are of- 

 fered for the greatest quantity of Indian corn, 

 grown upon an acre, not less than one hundred 

 bushels ; is such an ofi'er wise ? I think not. Be- 

 cause, under extraordinary circumstances, one 

 hundred bushels of corn may have been produced 

 upon a single acre (though I have never witnessed 

 such product,) it is no good reason why this amount 

 should be fixed as the minimum crop, for which a 

 premium should be awarded. All the circum- 

 stances of the case, the quality of the land, the ap- 

 pliances made, the variety grown, the peculiarities 

 of the season, are to be taken into view, and 

 when these are considered, that experiment which 

 presents a result most worthy of imitation and 

 commendation, is the one for which a premium 

 should be awarded. p. 



December 26, 1859. 



Fruit in Michigan. — "\^Tiile the rich soil and 

 bleak winds of the AVestern prairies appear rather 

 unfavorable to the growth of fruit, Michigan pre- 

 sents unusual inducements to the fruit grower. A 

 single firm have this season purchased near five 

 thousand barrels of apples in the village of Clin- 

 ton, Lenamee county, and some fifteen hundred in 

 Tecumseh. A correspondent of the Midi igan Far- 

 mer says fruits mature at Detroit nearly or quite 

 as early as in central Ohio, two degi-ees further 

 south. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 HISTOBY OF FOUR PEAB. TREES. 



I sent you a little history of my flower garden, 

 some two or three years ago, which was so favor- 

 ably received, I now send you the history of four 

 pear trees. I wi'ite the account, partly for my ownri 

 amusement, but more to add another word to the 

 many already said and written on the subject of 

 setting out trees. 



Forty years ago, the person now owning and 

 living on the farm from which I write, set in his 

 garden four small pear trees. The soil was favor- 

 able ; they throve finely, with no extraordinary 

 care, and were in full bearing in a few years, af- 

 fording two varieties of good pears ; one ripen- 

 ing the last of August, the other about four Meeks 

 later ; thus aff'ording fruit in abundance for a large 

 family, besides mucli to dispense in a friendly v,-dj 

 to friends and neighbors ; but the great good I'e- 

 sulting from two hours' labor is yet to be told. 



Hunch-eds of seedlings have sprung from the 

 seeds, from imperfect fruit decaying under those 

 trees ; those seedlings, being removed to favorable 

 situations, have since been grafted with all the va- 

 rieties of pears that flourish in this latitude, and 

 there are many of a delicious quality ; the Bart- 

 lett growing in great perfection here'; the Seckel, 

 the Flemish Beauty, and many others which I will 

 not take time to name. 



The seedlings springing from those noble pear 

 trees have been sent in all dbections, and rare 

 plants for the flower border, fine young fruit trees, 

 choice grape vines, and much that is desirable, have 

 been received in return ; not only has a double 

 benefit arisen from that two hours labor forty years 

 ago, but a kindliness of feeling has been promot- 

 ed between persons hitherto unknown ; and an in- 

 terest exists relating to the success of each oth- 

 er in gardening, increasing the taste for the same, 

 v.-hich is so promotive of good health, and which 

 so adorns and beautifies, m^ny of our New Eng- 

 land homes. 



North Hartland, Vt, Dec. 29, 1859. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 BUTTER MAKING IN WINTER. 



Mr. Brown : — I will merely mention my ex- 

 perience in making l)utter in Avinter, hoping it may 

 be an advantage to Mr. Leonard, for I should 

 think it would be a real trouble to lose, or about 

 lose, the use of his cows. I set my milk, after 

 being strained through a cloth strainer into a ket- 

 tle of hot water, occasionally stirring it in order 

 that the cream or scum shall not rise until it is 

 nearly scalding hot. Then It is set in a cupboard 

 in the room Avhere we live, Avhich proves about the 

 right temperature, and the cream will rise in, about 

 thirty-six hours. It Is then taken off and set in a 

 cold room, and so repeated until enough is gath- 

 ered for a churning. The cream is then set in a 

 warm room until It is the right temperature to 

 churn. I only churn from five to fifteen minutes, 

 and never have lost but one churning in ten yeare' 

 experience. Two years ago I made in the same 

 manner one hundred pounds, which sold in our 

 village at the highest prices. Carrot juice is an 

 advantage to both taste and looks. 



Reading, Vt., 1859. A Subscriber. 



